Naevius Sutorius Macro (21 BC-38 AD) was a prefect of the Praetorian Guard from 31 to 38 AD under Roman emperors Tiberius and Caligula. Macro murdered Tiberius and helped Caligula in taking power, but he served as Caligula's scapegoat and was consequently executed in a gruesome public show.
Biography[]
Macro, about to be beheaded
Naevius Sutorius Macro was born in 21 BC in Alba Fucens, Italy, and he served as prefect of the vigiles watchmen, who also served as the fire brigade. In 31 AD, Emperor Tiberius replaced the ambitious Praetorian Guard prefect Lucius Aelius Sejanus with Macro, and Macro oversaw the purge of Sejanus' family and followers after Tiberius had him arrested. Macro wielded considerable influence as prefect, and he was loyal to the prince of the Roman Empire, Caligula before he was to Tiberius, although Caligula was known to cuckold Macro with Macro's wife Ennia Thrasylla. In 33 AD, Caligula made Macro swear to assist him in the murder of Tiberius, with Caligula kissing Macro and Macro holding his right fist over a fire to prove his loyalty. Macro choked Tiberius to death with a clear black veil on his deathbed, allowing for Caligula to be proclaimed the new emperor. However, Caligula had his stepbrother/adopted son and heir Tiberius Gemellus identify Macro as the murderer of Tiberius, and he had Cassius Chaerea and the Praetorian Guard arrest Macro. He was sentenced to death by the Senate for the murder of Tiberius, and his wife Ennia was banished to Gaul. Macro was beheaded in a public show in which he was pelted with rocks before a moving red wall with swinging scythe-like blades moved next to him, cutting his head off.