Calpurnius  Piso  [suicide 20 CE]

Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso belonged to a prominent senatorial family allied to the imperial household by Julius Caesar's marriage to Calpurnia, the daughter of Lucius Calpurnius Piso. Gnaeus was himself a close friend of Tiberius & served as co-consul with him in 7 BCE. Shortly after Tiberius became emperor he appointed Piso governor of Syria (ca 16 CE). Seneca characterized him as an autocrat who was swift to execute anyone who defied him. When Tiberius' adopted heir, Germanicus, was made vice-regent of the eastern provinces (17 CE) Piso became his rival. When Germanicus died suddenly (19 CE) rumors spread that he had been poisoned by Piso's wife. Piso was recalled to stand trial for Germanicus' murder before the Senate. But after professing his loyalty to Tiberius, Piso committed suicide. This only increased public suspicions that Piso had acted on instructions from Tiberius himself.

References: Seneca De Ira 1.18.
                   Tacitus, Annals 2.67-3.17.
                   Suetonius, Twelve Caesars: Tiberius 52.

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