WI: Pisonian conspiracy succeeds?

So what if this plot against Emperor Nero was never discovered and the conspirators under Gaius Calpurnius Piso managed to get rid of Nero? If everything went off right, it seems like Gaius Calpurnius Piso would become Emperor, and the Senate would regain some of the power it had lost in the preceding decades.

Piso seems like he had to be getting up there in years (though his year of birth seems to be unknown?), so there's the matter of who becomes emperor next. He had a son, Calpurnius Piso Galerianus, who like Piso, is a descendent of Crassus. Even more interesting is his cousin, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus, who was a descendent of both Crassus and Pompey, but he's rather young (born 38). There's also a variety of other relatives of his and their descendents, some of whom became consuls and other high positions later on in OTL, but Galerianus and Licinianus strike me as the most interesting potential heirs.

Piso himself seems like he wouldn't have made a terrible emperor, but likely not as good as someone like Vespasian. So what are the long-term effects from this? The events of the last few years of Nero's reign will not happen or will happen differently, including the Jewish War of 66.
 
Do we know anything of Piso that gives us a hint how he would act as an emperor?

Also, Nero wasn't that terrible, especially the lower orders and the population of the Greek east supported him.
 
Do we know anything of Piso that gives us a hint how he would act as an emperor?

Also, Nero wasn't that terrible, especially the lower orders and the population of the Greek east supported him.

Piso had a lot of support among the upper classes, because he was basically a typical upper-class Roman. Apparently he was a skilled orator but "lacked earnestness", which sounds like he'd be cut out for the extremely difficult role of being Roman Emperor--perhaps he was really good at saying what people wanted to hear? He seems like a prototypical "scumbag politician" to me, always ready to cut deals with others to accomplish their goals. Probably good at conspiratorial planning too, looking at how that's how he would've gained the throne in the first place. So at least we know his domestic position would be safe for the time being, perhaps secured with a political purge of sorts (might be needed looking at some of the people involved with the Year of the Four Emperors). It's just how he deals with the Roman economy, the coming Jewish war, etc. I'd be curious of.
 
From whar I can make out, Piso was quite well liked in Rome. And it would be interesting to see Seneca, Lucan et al surviving.

The thing is, the conspiracy was too broad: including "radicals" from both ends of the spectrum (imperialists and republicans) which means Piso/Calpurnian dynasty is never going to be going far enough for one half of the factions.

Also, by deposing and executing Nero, Piso sets a dangerous precedent. True, Caligula was deposed and murdered, but his successor was at least family; Britannicus was passed over, but Nero was again family. Piso (from what I can make out) has no blood link to the Julio-Claudians (unless he fabricates one), and could as easily be swrpt out of power as he was swept in due to this lack of continuity.

So when a Nymphidius Sabinus comes along, those disaffected by Piso might be quick to acknowledge Sabinus as "heir to Caligula", or simply support whichever general seems like a good bet this week.
 
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Yeah, that seems to be an issue--it does set a dangerous precedent a bit too early on in the history of the Roman Empire, and a succession of strong emperors will be needed to help deal with that, probably meaning the Pisonian dynasty is marked with periodical political purges, more than the Flavian dynasty at least.

The figures of the Year of the Four Emperors are already in place in 65. And it seems like the slightest thing would set off Galba or Vindex or another attempted usurper, though they'll probably have people who want stability rather than more usurpers and such (Vespasian, say). A civil war will probably resolve a lot of the issues and securely establish the Pisonian dynasty, but a lot seems up to Piso's successor. Could the descent from Pompey in his cousin and potential successor Licinianus be played up?

Nymphidius Sabinus himself can be safely kept away from the power he had OTL, but there's always other figures who could be an issue, particularly after the early years.

Sorry for not contributing, as this isn't my forte, but I'd love to see what others have to say.

It isn't really mine either, I just knew of the event, looked up some of the people involved, and likewise wanted to see what others have to say. The Roman Empire in the 60s seems like it could go in any direction between the Pisonian conspiracy, Year of the Four Emperors, etc, and all the people involved who could have tried for the imperial throne. The family links in the Roman political figures are quite interesting too.
 
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