Dio 63.15 Reveals just how far relations had fallen by 68 BC. A senator called Vatinius would frequently say to him "I hate you, Caesar, for being of senatorial rank, which Dio claims are the exact words. Senators were constantly subjected to the closest scrutiny on their attitudes, their entrances, exits, and even how loudly they shouted in favour of Nero. Those who shouted the loudest were rewarded and favoured, whilst those who didn't were punished. Many senators feigned fainting so that they wouldn't have to sit through all of his performances, which were known to last all day