A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

10. L.ScriboniusLiboDrusus, or, as he is called by Velleius Paterculus (2.130), DRUSUS LIBO, is supposed to have been the son of No. 8, to which article we refer for a statement of the difficulty experienced by commentators in attempting to explain his family connexions. Firmius Catus, a senator, in A. D. 16, taking advantage of the facility and stupidity of his disposition, his taste for pleasure and expense, and his family pride, induced him to seek empire with its attendant wealth, and to consult soothsayers and magicians as to his chances of success. He was betrayed by Catus through Flaccus Vescularius to the emperor Tiberius, who nevertheless made him praetor, and continued to receive him at table without any mark of suspicion or resentment. At length he was openly denounced by Fulcinius Trio, for having required one Junius to summon shades from the infernal regions. Hereupon he strove at first to excite compassion by a parade of grief, illness, and supplication. As if he were too un well to walk, he was carried in a woman's litter to the senate on the day appointed for opening the prosecution, and stretched his suppliant hands to the emperor, who received him with an unmoved countenance, and, in stating the case to be proved against him, affected a desire neither to suppress nor to exaggerate aught. Finding that there was no hope of pardon, he put an end to his own life, though his aunt Scribonia had tried in vain to dissuade him from thus doing another's work; but he thought that to keep himself alive till it pleased Tiberius to have him slain would rather be doing another's work. Even, after his death, the prosecution was continued by the emperor. His property was forfeited to his accusers. His memory was dishonoured, and public rejoicings were voted upon his death. Cn. Lentulus proposed that thenceforth no Scribonius should assume the cognomen Drusus. (Tac. Ann. 2.27_32; Suet. Tib. 25; D. C. 7.15; Senec. Epist. 70.)