Annals I.13

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, Caesar, 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.

After Gallus calls bullshit on Tiberius, a few more men join in. Tactitus' Senate sycophancy argument seems to be pretty weak. So, in addition to Gallus, we have Cneius Piso, Quintus Haterius, Mamercus Scaurus and, perhaps most importantly, Lucius Arruntius. Arrunitius is named by Augustus as a man who is both capable and ambitious. Others too say Piso is the man.

Oddly, though Tacitus claims Tiberius is most angry at Scaurus and has the most to fear from Arruntius and Piso, he lashes out at Haterius. Haterius crumbles and physically begs for forgiveness. Why would Tiberius do this?

Well, it is pretty clear that Tacitus' claim that the Senate was rolling over is wrong. Tiberius has enemies and several at that. He does not go for the strong ones, though. Gallus is outspoken, which may be foolish, but may be somewhat safe if he has support. Arruntius and Piso, being bright, are probably even stronger and safer than Gallus. Even Scaurus, a nobody, gets away with trashing Tiberius.

This safety, though, seems to be only temporary. Tacitus already blows the secret that Gallus, Arruntius and Piso are dealt with.