Gaius Rubellius Plautus was a Roman noble and a political rival of Emperor Nero.
Background
Through his mother Julia, he was a relative of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was the grandson of Drusus (only son of Tiberius Caesar), and the great-grandson of Tiberius and his brother Drusus. Through his great-grandmothers Vipsania Agrippina and Antonia Minor, he was also descended from Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Mark Antony but not from Augustus.
He was descended from Augustus" sister Octavia Minor, herself a great niece of Julius Caesar.
His father died in 38. His mother was the only daughter of Drusus, and had previously been married to her cousin Nero Caesar, without issue.
Career
Plautus" father was Gaius Rubellius Blandus. Blandus" family originated from Tibur (modern Tivoli) and were of the Equestrian Class. Between 43 and 45, his mother Julia became an innocent victim to the intrigues of Empress Valeria Messalina.
Consequently, Julia was executed.
However Julia was considered to be a virtuous person by those who knew her. Nero took no action at the time, but over time, Nero"s relationship with Silana warmed while his relationship with his mother soured.
After a comet appeared in 60, public gossip renewed rumors of Nero"s fall and Plautus" rise. Nero exiled Plautus in 60 to his estate in Asia with his family.
In 62, after rumors that Plautus was in negotiations with the eastern general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo over rebellion, Plautus was executed by Nero.
When his head was given to Nero by a freedman, Nero mocked how frightening the long nose of Plautus was. This unfortunate Sulla was Nero"s cousin and his brother-in-law (both men once being married to sisters). Tacitus states Plautus was old fashioned in tastes, his bearing austere and he lived a secluded life.
He was respected much by his peers.