Parlare (o tacere) davanti al potente: qualche esempio da Cesare a Caligola

It is possibile to comprehend how the relationship between a dynast and his subjects evolves in terms of freedom of speech by analyzing some historical episodes – concerning in particular fathers and sons in front of a dynast – related by some authors of the imperial age. The proud refusal of Caesetius to repudiate his son (Val. Max. 5,7,2) demonstrates that under Caesar it was still possible to oppose a dynast’s will; under the principate it seems quite impossible to speak plainly to the princeps without his permission and Augustus’ liberal statements (Sen. clem. 1,15; 1,9) probably hide dissimulatio of his absolute power. When the princeps becomes a tyrant, he does not set bounds to his speaking and shows himself offensive as much as cruel while his victims can only be silent (Sen. dial. 4,33; Suet. Cal. 29-33).