Libo trial

Question 1

Marcus Scribonius Libo Drusus accused of subversive plotting, what did this initiate

Answer 1

This case “initiated an evil which for many years corroded public life”

Question 2

Who encouraged Libo to make mistakes and in what ways

Answer 2

One of his closest friends interested him in astrologers predictions, magicians’ rites, readers of dreams.
Reminded him of his illustrious family that he was related to the Caesars, Pompey and Scribonia (Augustus’ second wife)
- Encouraged his extravagances and debts.
- Accumulated damning evidence. Witnesses and slaves to corroborate the account, requested an interview with the emperor.

Question 3

What did Tiberius do to Libo (beofre accusing him)

Answer 3

Made Libo Praetor and invited him to dinner.

Tiberius completely concealed his malevolence, noted Libo’s words.

Question 4

Who was Libo’s prosecutor and why

Answer 4

Lucius Trio, known for his talents as prosecutor and eager for notoriety.
Libo had approached a man to practice necromancy who then reported him to TRio

Question 5

Lucius Trio’s application

Answer 5

Trio applied to the consuls and demanded an inquiry by the senate (to discuss a grave and terrible matter)

Question 6

Libo’s seeking for an advocate

Answer 6

• Libo put on mourning, with an escort of aristocratic women, went from house to house appealing to his wife’s relatives and seeking for an advocate.
• they were all too afraid

Question 7

Libo’s appeal to Tiberius

Answer 7

Carried to the senate house door in a litter (ill-health) leaning on his brothers arm
Stretched out his hand to Tiberius, cried for mercy.

Question 8

Tiberius reads out the accusations against Libo

Answer 8

Without altering his expression, Tiberius read out the accusations. Timeless voice calculated to neither aggravate nor extenuated the charges.

Question 9

Libo’s accusers

Answer 9

Trio, Catus and two others

Question 10

The accusations against Libo

Answer 10

preposterous, stupid questions asked to fortune tellers. Mysterious and sinister marks against the names of imperial personages and senators. The slaves identified his hand (interrogated under torture)

Question 11

Tiberius maneuvered around the law that forbid the interrogations of slaves

Answer 11

• ancient senatorial decree that forbid interrogations of slaves in capital charges against their masters
• Tiberius had them sold individually to the Treasury Agent (corrupt, smart, hypocritically swerving the law)

Question 12

Libo’s requests after the accusations had been read

Answer 12

Libo requested an adjournment until the following day.

Entrusted a relative to make a final appeal to Tiberius, who said Libo should apply to the senate.

Question 13

Libo’s dinner party

Answer 13

Libo had a final dinner party, guardsmen outside his door plagued it, thrust a sword into his slaves hands and asked them to kill him. They shrank away in terror, he stabbed himself, fell moaning. Soldiers saw he was dead, left (pitiful)

Question 14

Tiberius after Libo’s death

Answer 14

• Tiberius pronounced on oath that he would have have interceded for Libo’s life if he hadn’t killed himself.

Question 15

After Libo’s death, what happened to the accusers

Answer 15

Libo’s property was divided among the accusers. Those that were senators received supernumerary praetorships

Question 16

What did the senate do after Libo’s death

Answer 16

Senate ordered the expulsion of astrologers and magicians from Italy, two were killed (the manner in which they died ends this passage, finality)

Question 17

Why has Tacitus mentioned the accusers of Libo

Answer 17

to show how long ago this national disgrace started