“And thine enemy,” added Sejanus.
“What has Sosia done?”
Sejanus took up a tablet and read: “‘Sosia received Agrippina in her palace three times in four days. Sosia called at the Palatine to see Agrippina the same number of times on the same days.’ Their conversations at both places are recorded,” added Sejanus, laying down the tablet. “Germanicus was extolled. His death, they said, was due to poisoning by Cneius Piso, acting under thine orders. Sosia has openly made statements reviling thee.”
“Agrippina is sowing her suspicions in the hearts of her friends. The harvest will be a large one,” said Tiberius, with a wicked smile.
“Caius Silius, the husband of Sosia, is equally guilty,” continued Sejanus. “He was a commander, as thou knowest, under Germanicus. He has won many victories for his country. He boasts too much. Here is his conversation with Sabinus,” he said, pointing to a tablet.
“Titius Sabinus, the great and wealthy senator, also talks against me?” gasped the emperor, alarmed.
“O noble Tiberius, these men not only talk against thee, but they are working against thee.”
“But what of the son of Sabinus? Is he loyal?” asked Tiberius.
“He is ruining himself with dissipation. He frequents the taverns and consorts with dancing-girls,” replied Sejanus.
“These men are too beloved by the people to be thrust aside,” Tiberius said, with a significant nod of his head.