Pisonian conspiracy

The plot reflected the growing discontent among the ruling class of the Roman state with Nero's increasingly despotic leadership, and as a result is a significant event on the road toward his eventual suicide and the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors which followed.

[citation needed] Gaius Calpurnius Piso, a leading Roman statesman, benefactor of literature, and orator, intended to have Nero assassinated, and replace him as emperor through acclamation by the Praetorian Guard.

[citation needed] The conspiracy was put in jeopardy by a woman named Epicharis, who divulged parts of the plan to Volusius Proculus, commanding a fleet in Misenum.

[citation needed] On the morning that the conspirators' plot was to be carried out[6] – 19 April – a freedman named Milichus informed on his former master Flavius Scaevinus after receiving orders to sharpen a knife and prepare bandages.

[7] Tacitus attributes his decision to give his former master up to greed and avarice at the urging of his wife,[8] reporting it to Nero's secretary, Epaphroditus.

Piso,[15] Plautius Lateranus,[16] Lucan, Afranius Quintianus,[17] Flavius Scaevinus,[17] Claudius Senecio,[17] Vulcatius Araricus, Julius Augurinus, Munatius Gratus, Marcius Festus, Faenius Rufus,[18] Subrius Flavus,[19] Sulpicius Asper,[20] Maximus Scaurus, Venetus Paulus, Epicharis,[21] Seneca the Younger,[22] Antonia, Marcus Julius Vestinus Atticus.