Emperor Tiberius 14-37 AD
F. B. Marsh, The Reign
of Tiberius; C.E. Smith, Tiberius;
R.S. Rogers, Studies in the Reign of
Tiberius, Criminal Trials and Criminal Legislation under Tiberius.
Mysterious deaths:
Ø M. Claudius Marcellus (son of Octavia), married Julia, died in 23 BC
Ø M. Vipsanius Agrippa married Julia, died 12 BC, produced sons Gaius and Lucius; they died 2 AD, 4 AD respectively
Ø Agrippa Postumus was banished in 7 AD
Ø
Livia - produced Tiberius Claudius Nero and
Drusus Nero. Drusus died on campaign in
Ø Julia was exiled to Pandataria in 2 BC
Ø L. Caesar died 2 AD, C. Caesar died 4 AD
Ø Tiberius received tribunician potestas in 3 AD, adopted as Augustus’ son in 4 AD, along with Agrippa Postumus; Tiberius promoted to colleague of Augustus in 12 AD, he adopts Germanicus, son of Agrippina, relegating his own son, Drusus to a secondary position within the family. Again, Tiberius was being designated as regent.
Ø Augustus died 14 AD, 13 times consul, 21 times imperator, 37 years with tribunician potestas
REIGN OF TIBERIUS
1. Problems with Succession – Tiberius ascended to the throne in 14 AD at age 54 and reigned for 23 years. Death of Livia, 29 AD. Two “Claudian” emperors, Tiberius and Claudius, both ascensions were greeted by military revolts; two “Julian” emperors, Gaius and Nero, though unfit for rule, succeeded to the throne without incident. Conflict between Julian and Claudian factions in the royal family and aristocracy; Germanicus and Drusus rivalry, leads to treason trials.
2. Germanicus on the Rhine, rival to the throne, beloved by Roman public as a Julian; Some leagions attempted to proclaim Germanicus as Emperor, Pannonian Revolut suppressed by Drusus and L. Aelius Sejanus. Tiberius wanted to pursue Augustus’ policy of no expansion into Germany, but Germanicus wanted military glory, equated with Alexander the Great by friends, conducted expensive German campaigns.
3. Treason Trials – Maiestas – basis for treason trials; 22 years, 52 persons were accused of treason; ½ escaped conviction; 4 innocent persons were condemned to death, none by Tiberius, of the 12 executed, Tiberius ordered 8. Delatores (professional informers, if successful obtained 1/4 of guilty party’s estate), Tiberius’ severity was proverbial, keen notions of justice and efficiency. Also, diehard Old Nobility that resented Augustus and Tiberius enjoyed making trouble.
4. Trial of Cn. Calpurnius Piso, governor of Syria, 19 AD, who opposed actions of Germanicus in the East even though outranked by him. Germanicus died in 19 AD, Piso accused of poisoning him. Found guilty of having left his province and sent into exile.
5. Conspiracy of L. Aelius Sejanus, sole praetorian prefect, Eques, 23 AD Drusus, Tiberius’ son, died, poisoned by his wife Livilla, who was mistress to Sejanus; As a Julian she was possibly resentful of the precedent given to Germanicus’ children over her own and influence of his widow Agrippina; Sejanus divorced his wife and in 25 AD asked Tiberius for permission to marry Livilla, thus polarizing conflict between Sejanus’ and Agrippina’s factions in the senate; Sejanus moves the camp of the Praetorian guard to Rome with Tiberius’ permission, who feared the menacing attitude of Agrippina’s party
6. Tiberius retired to Capri 26 AD (age 66); Livia died 29 AD, clearing way for Sejanus to move against Agrippina and Nero. Sejanus overstepped himself by getting himself betrothed to Tiberius’ granddaughter, at which point Livilla became enraged and informed Antonia that she had poisoned Drusus. Antonia (sister-in-law) alerted Tiberius to Sejanus’ threat in 31 AD; Tiberius elevated Sejanus to proconsular imperium, but replaced him with Macro as Prefect of the Praetorian guard; downfall of Sejanus, but reign of terror conducted by Tiberius during the remainder of his tenure.
Tiberius named grandson, Gemellus and nephew Gaius (Caligula) as co-heirs.
Velleius Paterculus, at Tiberius’ death in 37 AD at age of 77, having reigned for 23 years.
HS 3Billion surplus in the State Treasury