Ceterum plena Caesarum domus, iuvenis filius, nepotes adulti moram cupitis adferebant; et quia vi tot simul corripere intutum, dolus intervalla scelerum poscebat. placuit tamen occultior via et a Druso incipere, in quem recenti ira ferebatur. (nam Drusus impatiens aemuli et animo commotior orto forte iurgio intenderat Seiano manus et contra tendentis os verberaverat.) igitur cuncta temptanti promptissimum visum ad uxorem eius Liviam convertere, quae soror Germanici, formae initio aetatis indecorae, mox pulchritudine praecellebat. hanc, ut amore incensus, adulterio pellexit, et postquam primi flagitii potitus est (neque femina amissa pudicitia alia abnuerit), ad coniugii spem, consortium regni et necem mariti impulit. atque illa, cui avunculus Augustus, socer Tiberius, ex Druso liberi, seque ac maiores et posteros municipali adultero foedabat, ut pro honestis et praesentibus flagitiosa et incerta expectaret. sumitur in conscientiam Eudemus, amicus ac medicus Liviae, specie artis frequens secretis. pellit domo Seianus uxorem Apicatam, ex qua tres liberos genuerat, ne paelici suspectaretur. sed magnitudo facinoris metum, prolationes, diversa interdum consilia adferebat.
(a) How does Tacitus create a negative portrayal of Sejanus in this passage?
Marks are awarded for the quality of written communication in your answer. [25]
Marks are awarded for the quality of written communication in your answer. [25]
Suggested mark scheme
moram cupitis – Sejanus’ immorality is premediated.
plena Caesarum domus – the audacity of Sejanus to take aim at a flourishing royal house (plena promoted).
vi corripere – words which convey his bold violence.
dolus poscebat – his deceit is highlighted by the personification of dolus.
intervalla scelerum – more malicious scheming.
impatiens aemuli – inappropriate for Sejanus, an eques, to be considered a rival. Shows how ambitious he is.
cuncta temptanti – fiendishly persistent as he explores every avenue for murder.
promptissimum – adultery brings a new dimension of immorality to his crimes, and compromises others – and yet he chooses it simply because it is “easy.”
ut amore incensus – duplicitous; simulates genuine emotion; cold, possibly psychopathic.
pellixit…impulit – forces the adultery (coercive).
coniugii…necem mariti – mirrors how Sejanus leads on Livia to ever bolder ambitions.
Augustus…Tiberius…Druso…municipali adultero – contrast between a royal dynasty and a smalltown scumbag. The depravity is emphasised by foedabat.
pellit – Sejanus is utterly heartless (promoted and historic present for emphasis).
paelici – he has reduced a future empress to the status of mistress.
magnitudo facinoris – the scale of Sejanus’ twisted ambition.
moram cupitis – Sejanus’ immorality is premediated.
plena Caesarum domus – the audacity of Sejanus to take aim at a flourishing royal house (plena promoted).
vi corripere – words which convey his bold violence.
dolus poscebat – his deceit is highlighted by the personification of dolus.
intervalla scelerum – more malicious scheming.
impatiens aemuli – inappropriate for Sejanus, an eques, to be considered a rival. Shows how ambitious he is.
cuncta temptanti – fiendishly persistent as he explores every avenue for murder.
promptissimum – adultery brings a new dimension of immorality to his crimes, and compromises others – and yet he chooses it simply because it is “easy.”
ut amore incensus – duplicitous; simulates genuine emotion; cold, possibly psychopathic.
pellixit…impulit – forces the adultery (coercive).
coniugii…necem mariti – mirrors how Sejanus leads on Livia to ever bolder ambitions.
Augustus…Tiberius…Druso…municipali adultero – contrast between a royal dynasty and a smalltown scumbag. The depravity is emphasised by foedabat.
pellit – Sejanus is utterly heartless (promoted and historic present for emphasis).
paelici – he has reduced a future empress to the status of mistress.
magnitudo facinoris – the scale of Sejanus’ twisted ambition.
