Quo Vadis · Chapter
The Conspiracy and the Last Plea explained
Scevinus visits Petronius and speaks openly about the tyranny of Nero, hinting at a conspiracy involving Piso and others.
What happens
Scevinus visits Petronius and speaks openly about the tyranny of Nero, hinting at a conspiracy involving Piso and others. Petronius remains cautious and deflects. Later at Nerva's feast, Petronius attempts to secure Lygia's release by appealing to Nero's need for his counsel regarding a trip to Achaea, but Nero, supported by Tigellinus, evades the request and implies Lygia will face the arena. Petronius, realizing his failure, arranges to recover her body.
Themes in this chapter
Tyranny and Corruption
Scevinus complains of Nero's mad rule and the corruption of the Augustians, hinting at conspiracy.
Love and Sacrifice
Petronius risks his standing to plead for Lygia's life out of love for Vinicius.
Suffering and Martyrdom
Lygia's impending death in the arena is foreshadowed, and Petronius prepares to recover her body.
Characters to notice
- Petronius
Visited by Scevinus, hears of conspiracy, remains cautious; later at Nerva's feast attempts to save Lygia but fails.
- Scevinus
Senator who speaks openly against Nero and hints at a conspiracy to replace him with Piso.
- Nero
At Nerva's feast, discusses his planned trip to Achaea and evades Petronius's plea for Lygia's release.
- Tigellinus
Supports Nero by reminding Petronius that Lygia is in prison by Caesar's will.
- Marcus Vinicius
Mentioned as the intended husband of Lygia; Petronius tries to arrange their wedding.
- Lygia
Hostage and prisoner; Petronius attempts to secure her release but fails.
Key passages
“He said that even Augustians were dissatisfied; that Faenius Rufus, second prefect of the pretorians, endured with the greatest effort the vile orders of Tigellinus; and that all Seneca’s relatives were driven to extremes by Caesar’s conduct as well toward his old master as toward Lucan.”
Scevinus claimed that even Nero's inner circle was unhappy, with Faenius Rufus barely tolerating Tigellinus's orders, and Seneca's family pushed to the brink by Caesar's treatment of Seneca and Lucan.
Scevinus reveals the extent of discontent among the powerful.
“Petronius is right; tomorrow the gates of the prison will be open to her, and of the marriage feast we will speak the day after at the amphitheater.”
Nero agrees with Petronius but then mockingly promises Lygia's release only to have her fate decided in the arena the next day.
Nero's cruel evasion signals Lygia's doom.