Extortion Flashcards
Who was accused
Gaius Junius Silanus was accused of extortion by the people of Asia where he had been governor.
His accusers
Aemilius Scaurus, Junius Otho, Bruttedius Niger charged him with offences against the divinity of Augustus and the imperial majesty of Tiberius
Scaurus
Scaurus: a blot on his family, which he was dishonouring with his sordid activities.
Otho
Otho: disgraced his humble origins with his impudent audacity
Niger
Niger: would have won great eminence but impatience spurred him on to outstrip his equals, superiors, former ambitions.
was he guilty
He was unquestionably guilty of brutality and extortion.
Tiberius’ reactions
Tiberius’ looks and words were menacing and the persistence of his interrogations. There could be no evasions, confession was sometimes necessary so the emperor did not have to ask in vain.
Silanus’ slaves
sold to the treasury agent for examination
Silanus’ action
Ventured to write Tiberius a letter of entreaty
What did Tiberius try to do to be just and fair
Emperor feeling a precedent would better justify any actions ordered a reading of Augustus’ letter and the senates decree about an earlier governor of the same province.
Who was asked
Asked Lucius Calpurnius Piso for his opinion:
- he should be outlawed and banished to the island of Gyaros
- Another proposed that his property inherited from his mother should be allowed to his son.
ADDED
if you live an unrighteous life you should not be a governor
It was proposed that no one of scandalous life and evil reputation should be eligible for a governorship. Would forestall offences.
Tiberius’ response to people not becoming governor due to reputation
Tiberius disagreed: decisions should not be based on rumour, what will be done is unknown. Our ancestors ruled that punishment followed crime.
Emperor’s have enough burdens and enough power
“the law is concerned with what has been done. What will be done is unknown” “our ancestors ruled that punishment should follow crime. This was wise” “strengthen the executive, and you weaken the law”
“NOT CHARACTERISTIC OF TIBERIUS”
How did Tiberius further show that he was capable of mercy
He proposed that Gyaros was a grim and uninhabited island, Silanus, should be allowed to retire to Cythnos instead.
- said it had been requested by his sister a priestess of Vesta a woman of old fashioned saintliness.
- Agreed without discussion
