File:Seekers after God (1868) (14778381082).jpg

Identifier: seekersaftergod00farr_0 (find matches)
Title: Seekers after God
Year: 1868 (1860s)
Authors: Farrar, F. W. (Frederic William), 1831-1903
Subjects: Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, approximately 4 B.C.-65 A.D Epictetus Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, 121-180
Publisher: (London) Macmillon & co
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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n brought againstSeneca, and in which the name of Piso had beeninvolved, tended to urge that nobleman and hisfriends into a real and formidable conspiracy. Manymen of influence and distinction joined in it, andamong others Annaeus Lucanus, the celebrated poet-nephew of Seneca, and Fenius Rufus, the colleagueof Tigellinus in the command of the imperial guards.The plot was long discussed, and many were ad-mitted into the secret, which was nevertheless marvel-lously well kept. One of the most eager conspiratorswas Subrius Flavus, an officer of the guards, whosuggested the plan of stabbing Nero as he sangupon the stage, or of attacking him as he went aboutwithout guards at night in the galleries of his burningpalace. Flavus is even said to have cherished thedesign of subsequently murdering Piso likewise, andof offering the imperial power to Seneca, with the fullcognisance of the philosopher himself.* However thismay have been—and the story has no probability— * Seejuv. Sat. viii. 212.
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LUCIUS ANN/EUS SENECA THE DEA TH OF SENECA. 153 many schemes were discussed and rejected, from thedifficulty of finding a man sufficiently bold and suf-ficiently in earnest to put his own life to such immi-nent risk. While things were still under discussion,the plot was nearly ruined by the information ofVolusius Proculus, an admiral of the fleet, to whom ithad been mentioned by a freedwoman of the nameof Ephicharis. Although no sufficient evidence couldbe adduced against her, the conspirators thought itadvisable to hasten matters, and one of them, asenator named Scaevinus, undertook the dangeroustask of assassination. Plautius Lateranus, the consul-elect, was to pretend to offer a petition, in which hewas to embrace the Emperors knees and throw himto the ground, and then Scaevinus was to deal thefatal blow. The theatrical conduct of Scaevinus—who took an antique dagger from the Temple ofSafety, made his will, ordered the dagger to besharpened, sat down to an unusually luxurious ban

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