Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

90 SENECAwhere Acerronia either attempted to save herselfat her mistress's expense, or else her mistressat her own— it must ever be doubtful which— bycrying out that she was the empress, and callingfor help for the emperor's mother. Thereuponshe was beaten to death by the oars of the sailors.Agrippina swam for her life, and was rescued by aboat from the shore. Returned to her villa, reflectionon the circumstances convinced her boththat a crime had been attempted and that shemust conceal her suspicions. She therefore senta messenger to Nero to inform him of the gravedanger she had been in, and to relieve his anxietyon her account by the assurance that, except fora slight blow on the shoulder, she had sustainedno injury. She begged him not to come to herfor the present, though she knew his impulsewould be to come, for what she needed most ofall for her recovery was complete rest and quiet.Nero was terrified by the news that his attemptHis guilty imagination pictured thehad failed.daughter of Germanicus full of rage, rousing thesoldiers, arming slaves, and proclaiming herwrongs to Senate and people. He sent for Senecaand Burrhus, told them all that had happened,and asked their advice. They had none to give.But Anicetus was not at the end of his resources.He had already contrived to slip a dagger betweenthe feet of Agrippina's messenger while he wasperforming his commission. The man was seized,accused of having been sent by Agrippina toassassinate the emperor, and promptly executed.Anicetus now proposed to slay the empress in her