What share Seneca really had in the conspiracy is unknown.

If he were really cognisant of it, he must have acted with consummate tact, for no particle of convincing evidence was adduced against him.

All that even Natalis could relate was, that when Piso had sent him to complain to Seneca of his not admitting Piso to more of his intercourse, Seneca had replied "that it was better for them both to hold aloof from each other, but that his own safety depended on that of Piso." A tribune was sent to ask Seneca as to the truth of this story, and found,--which was in itself regarded as a suspicious circumstance,--that on that very day he had returned from Campania to a villa four miles from the city.

The tribune arrived in the evening, and surrounded the villa with soldiers.

Seneca was at supper, with his wife Paulina and two friends.