Next, Lucius Arruntius, who differed but little
from the speech of Gallus, gave like offence, though Tiberius had no old
grudge against him, but simply mistrusted him, because he was rich and
daring, had brilliant accomplishments, and corresponding popularity. For
Augustus, when in his last conversations he was discussing who would refuse
the highest place, though sufficiently capable, who would aspire to it
without being equal to it, and who would unite both the ability and
ambition, had described Marcus Lepidus as able but contemptuously
indifferent, Gallus Asinius as ambitious and incapable, Lucius Arruntius as
not unworthy of it, and, should the chance be given him, sure to make the
venture. About the two first there is a general agreement, but instead
of Arruntius some have mentioned
Cneius Piso, and all these men, except Lepidus, were soon afterwards
destroyed by various charges through the contrivance of Tiberius. Quintus
Haterius too and Mamercus Scaurus ruffled his suspicious temper, Haterius by
having said—"How long, Cæsar, will you suffer the State to be
without a head?" Scaurus by the remark that there was a hope that the
Senate's prayers would not be fruitless, seeing that he had not used his
right as Tribune to negative the motion of the Consuls. Tiberius instantly
broke out into invective against Haterius; Scaurus, with whom he was far
more deeply displeased, he passed over in silence. Wearied at last by the
assembly's clamorous importunity and the urgent demands of individual
Senators, he gave way by degrees, not admitting that he undertook empire,
but yet ceasing to refuse it and to be entreated. It is known that Haterius
having entered the palace to ask pardon, and thrown himself at the knees of
Tiberius as he was walking, was almost killed by the soldiers, because
Tiberius fell forward, accidentally or from being entangled by the
suppliant's hands. Yet the peril of so great a man did not make him relent,
till Haterius went with entreaties to Augusta, and was saved by her very
earnest intercessions.
