A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

18. L.CassiusLonginus, consul, A. D. 30, was married by Tiberius to Drusilla, the daughter of Germanicus; but her brother Caligula soon afterwards carried her away from her husband's house, and openly lived with her as if she were his wife. [DRUSILLA, No. 2.] (Tac. Ann. 6.15, 45; Suet. Cal. 24.) Cassius was proconsul in Asia in A. D. 40, and was commanded by Caligula to be brought in chains to Rome, because an oracle had warned the emperor to beware of a Cassius. Caligula thought that the oracle must have had reference to Cassius Longinus, because he was descended from the great republican family, whereas it really meant Cassius Chaerea. [CHAEREA] (Suet. Cal. 57; D. C. 59.29, who erroneously calls him Caius, confounding him with No. 19.)