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Tiberius (The views of classical authors on Tiberius’ reign ((Tacitus,…
Tiberius
The views of classical authors on Tiberius’ reign
Tacitus
Tacitus portrays Tiberius in the worst possible light
His account is account is not first hand but it is based of the documents he had access as a senator
Tacitus depicts Tiberius as cryptic, harsh, perverted, reticent and cold
This stands in stark contrast to Augustus and is prevented as a unworthy successor
Tacitus writes as a senator and writes in context of the relationship between senator and emperor
Dio Cassius
Like the account of Tacitus with his writings based on the common traditions and documents
Dio also uses the Annals as his main scource meaning that he will share the same veiwpoint as tacitus
Suetonius
Although ebentyaly sharing the same Veiwpoint as the two above scources, Suetonius does acknowledge that Tiberius was at first respectfull and cortius to senators, before a change after his sons death
Tiberius' Relationship with Germanicus and Sejanus
Tiberius was forced to adopt Germanicus as heir in 4 AD – Germanicus was a popular figure, and such popularity disturbed Tiberius and made the Princeps view his adopted heir as a threat
In 17 AD Tiberius sent Germanicus to settle matters in Judaea and Syria – sent Piso to overlook his campaigns
Piso believed he had been sent to curb Germanicus’ hopes – he undermined Germanicus everywhere that the popular figure had visited and lauded
In 19 AD Germanicus visited Alexandria without Tiberius’ permission – Tiberius saw this as a serious challenge to his authority as Alexandria held grain supply and links back to Mark Antony
Piso cancelled Germanicus’ rule, Germanicus then ordered Piso to leave but then fell ill – it is likely that Germanicus was poisoned by Piso
Tacitus uses episode to highlight Tiberius’ cruelty – he refused to meet Agrippina and urged the people to stop grieving
Paterculus merely presents this as one of Tiberius’ misfortunes
Upon Germanicus death, Tiberius promoted his own son Drusus as consul in 21 AD – this angered a faction loyal to Germanicus – death of Germanicus also used by Tacitus to illustrate the beginnings of his perversion
Sejanus begun campaign for power by moving Praetorian Guard into one camp – consolidated power
He then persuaded Drusus’ (Tiberius’ son) wife to poison her husband in 23 AD – this begun a court intrigue, with Sejanus, Agrippina, Livia and Livilla all vying for power
Sejanus then attempted to marry Livilla – this caused Tiberius to retire to Capri in 26 AD – here he embraced his perversions
Sejanus was now effectively the centre of power in Rome – he begun to play Agrippina’s son off against each other, banished Agrippina to a barren island leading to Nero’s suicide and Drusus’ execution in 33 AD and was granted pro-consular imperium
Sejanus downfall occurred when Tiberius promoted Gaius, the last surviving son of Agrippina; Sejanus plotted to kill him, and Tiberius was warned by Antonia, and thus he arranged Sejanus’ downfall by announcing him as a traitor to the Senate