The Failed Assassination

Translation

The gods offered a night bright with stars and calm with a peaceful sea, as if to expose the crime. The ship had not advanced far, with two from the number of her friends accompanying Agrippina, of whom Crepereius Gallus was standing not far from the rudders, while Acerronia, reclining above the feet of her lying down, was joyfully talking about the repentance of her son and the mother's recovered influence, when at a given signal the roof of the room, heavy with much lead, collapsed, and Crepereius was crushed and immediately killed. Agrippina and Acerronia were protected by the projecting walls of the couch, which by chance were too strong to yield to the weight. Nor did the breaking up of the ship follow, since everyone was confused and the ignorant majority were even hindering those in the know. Then it seemed good to the rowers to lean to one side and thus sink the ship: but their agreement was not quick for the sudden situation, and others pressing against gave the opportunity for a gentler casting into the sea. But Acerronia, through imprudence, while she shouts that she is Agrippina and that help be given to the emperor's mother, is killed with poles and oars and whatever naval weapons chance had offered. Agrippina, silent and for that reason less recognised (she received, however, one wound in the shoulder), by swimming, then having been carried by meeting little boats to the Lucrine lake, is brought to her villa.