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Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

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CHAPTER VIIIthe tragedy <strong>of</strong> baiae. institution <strong>of</strong> the'juvenalia: 59The power <strong>of</strong> <strong>Seneca</strong>, whose position had beenin some degree shaken by the attacks <strong>of</strong> Suilius,was threatened at about the same time by amore formidable antagonist. Poppaea Sabina,and intelli-beautiful, charming, nobly born, rich,gent, concealed beneath a modest exterior a coldheart, a calculating disposition, and a total lack<strong>of</strong> scruple. She was married to the brilliant anddissipated Otho, one <strong>of</strong> the chief friends <strong>of</strong> Neroand ornaments <strong>of</strong> his Court, after having beendivorced from a former husband, Crispinus. Otho,whether from imprudence or ambition, vauntedthe charms <strong>of</strong> his wife to the emperor, and would<strong>of</strong>ten, when about to rejoin her after dining at thepalace, describe in glowing terms the happinessto which he was returning. The natural resultfollowed.Poppaea was presented to Nero, and atfirst affected to be deeply smitten by his beautywhile awed by his greatness. But when theemperor proceeded to make her his addressesshe changed her tone, spoke <strong>of</strong> her duty to Otho,and contrasted that courtier's liberality and

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