Cneius Piso

Also known as: younger Piso · Family: Roman aristocracy · Role: Roman nobleman · First appears: Annals I (5)

In Annals I (5), Cneius Piso was counted among the enemies of Tiberius, whose rule was associated with darkly framed accusations against great men. By Annals II (6), he was disputing with Asinius Gallus over conducting Senate business during Tiberius’s absence. Tiberius then appointed him to govern Syria in place of Creticus Silanus—“In his room he had preferred Cneius Piso”—and he was described as violent-tempered, incapable of subjection, and heir to the ferocity and haughtiness of his father Piso. His pride and impetuosity were further elevated by the nobility and wealth of his wife Plancina.

In Syria, Piso stood against Germanicus, believing he had been appointed to thwart him. At Rhodes, Germanicus rescued him from shipwreck despite their hostility, but Piso then courted the common soldiers, removed disciplined officers, and installed dependents recommended by their crimes. He contemptuously neglected orders to lead legions into Armenia, and after their hostile interview at Cyrrum, he and Germanicus “parted in open enmity.” His lictors later disrupted the public thanksgiving for Germanicus’s recovery, after which Germanicus renounced their friendship and possibly ordered him from the province. Piso sailed away but kept his ship ready to return if Germanicus died and Syria became vacant; he also had ties to Theophilus, Livia, and Tiberius, while Domitius Celer was in intimate credit with him and carried out his orders.

After returning toward the conflict, Piso was opposed by Sentius, while Publius Vitellius and Veranius prepared charges against him and Plancina. He incited a sedition, gained the Eagle-bearer of the sixth legion, resisted Sentius, and finally surrendered his arms, receiving only ships and a passport to Rome. His arrival at the Caesars’ burial-place increased the people’s wrath. Fulcinius Trio first accused him, then dropped that accusation; Tiberius undertook the trial but left the case to the Senate. Piso sought Titus Arruntius, Fulcinius, Asinius Gallus, Eserninus Marcellus, and Sextus Pompeius as advocates, but they excused themselves, and Marcus Lepidus, Lucius Piso, and Liveneius Regulus took their place.