Whatever  it  might  be,  it  is  certain  that  it  was  held  to  be  an  act
of  treason.  The  two  brothers  died  for  a  dream.  By  a  decree
of  the  senate,  Crispinus  was  rewarded  with  fifteen  thousand
sesterces,  and  the  praetorian  dignity.  On  the  motion  of
Vitellius,  a  vote  of  ten  thousand  sesterces  passed  in  favour
of  Sosibius,  the  preceptor  of  Britannicus,  and  the  faithful
adviser  of  the  emperor.  In  the  debate  on  this  occasion,  Scipio
was  called  upon  for  his  opinion :  he  rose,  and  said,  "  Since
the  conduct  of  my  wife  Poppaea  must  appear  to  me  in  the  same
light  that  it  does  to  this  assembly,  let  me  be  thought  to
concur  with  the  general  voice."  A  delicate  stroke  of  prudence
yielding  to  the  necessity  of  the  times,  yet  not  forgetting  the
ties  of  conjugal  affection.
V.  From  this  time,  the  rage  of  Suillius  knew  no  bounds.
