Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

THE PRINCIPATE OF CALIGULA 29veritable reign of terror began in order to supplyit from the spoils of rich victims, and increasedin intensity as the consciousness of guilt madehim suspect the designs of every man of note orhonesty. We are reminded o'f the death of SirThomas More by Seneca's account of the serenelast hours — of Julius Canus one of the senatorswho was put to death.Canus Julius [he writes], a man of such commandinggreatness that his glory could not be obscured evenby the envy that always attaches to contemporaries,was leaving the presence after a long altercation with*Caligula. I may as well tell you,' said the tyrantby way of final rejoinder, so that you may not flatter'yourself with false hopes, that I have given orders foryour execution.''I thank you, most excellent prince,'replied Canus. He . . . passed the ten days' intervalbetween sentence and execution with a mind free fromany kind of anxiety — indeed, the perfect tranquillity displayedin his words and actions almost passes belief.He was playing at draughts when summoned by thecenturion in charge of the prisoners destined to die thatday. He counted his pieces, and said to the other player,*Look, I have most left. Now you are not after mydeath to pretend you have won.' And turning to thecenturion, ' I call you to 'witness,' he said, that Iam a piece to the good.' His friends were lamenting ;grieved at ''losing such a man. Why so sad ? he said.'You will go on discussing whether the soul is immortal ;but I shall know in a few minutes.' His search fortruth persisted to the very end and death itself afforded;him a new subject for investigation. He was accompaniedby a philosopher and already stood near to thealtar on which the daily sacrifice was offered to ourgod CaHgula. What were the subjects of his thoughts ?He declared his intention in that last rapid moment