Original: Under Augustus , however , this custom had been revived and applied to cover slander or libellous writings as well , eventually leading to a long cycle of trials and executions under such emperors as Tiberius , Caligula and Nero , spawning entire networks of informers that terrorized Rome 's political system for decades .
Simplified: This led to a long cycle of trials and executions under such emperors as Tiberius , Caligula and Nero . This spawned entire networks of informers who terrorized Rome for decades .