Emperors - Tiberius Flashcards
When did Tiberius reign?
AD 14- 37
How does Tacitus generally portray Tiberius? And why?
In a negative light. Largely because his account is not first hand. As a senator, Tacitus often writes within the context of the relationship between emperor and senators.
How does Dio Cassius portray Tiberius generally? Why?
negatively. He used the same traditions and documents as Tacitus, including using the Annals as his main source
How does Suetonius portray Tiberius generally?
As being respectful and courteous to the senators at first but changing after his son’s death in AD23.
How does Velleius Paterculus generally portray Tiberius? And why?
largely positively.
When did Velleius Paterculus write his History of Rome?
AD 30
When did Suetonius write his Life of Tiberius?
AD 120-125
When did Tacitus write his Annals?
early 2nd century AD
When did Dio Cassius write his Roman History?
3rd century AD
What two issues faced Tiberius at the start of his reign and why?
- rebellion of the Pannonian legions
- mutiny of the German legions at Mainz
- these were not political but because many soldiers were underpaid or hadn’t been released from service after completing their terms. Highlights that crisis was more likely during power transfers
Who did Tiberius send to subdue the rebellion of the Pannonian legions?
Drusus the younger (his son)
Who did Tiberius send to subdue the rebellion of the German legions at Mainz?
Germanicus
Where did Tiberius send Germanicus in 17AD?
To settle discontent in the eastern provinces of Judaea and Syria
Who did Tiberius make governor of Syria, and send at the same time as he sent Germanicus?
Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso
Conflict between Piso and Germanicus - summary and result?
- 18AD Germanicus travelled through Syria and was welcomed,
- Piso was following behind and undermining him. He then arrived at Syria first and turned the legions to his side. - 19AD Germanicus visited Egypt and on his return Piso decided to leave Syria.
- At this time Germanicus became seriously ill and was convinced Piso poisoned him. - Told his wife Agrippina not to trust those in power.
- Piso stood trial (main charge stirring up civil war in Syria) and killed himself when realising that Tiberius wouldn’t help him
How does Tacitus portray Sejanus?
Perverse, corrupt and power-hungry. In Tacitus’ black and white view, Sejanus was very much a villain (along w T)
From when was Sejanus Prefect of the Praetorian Guard?
AD 14-31
How does Velleius Paterculus portray Sejanus and why does it differ from Tacitus?
As a ‘distinguished assistant’ held in high regard by both the people and the emperor. This was written before Sejanus’ eventual downfall, and displays the sycophancy of the senators towards powerful men
How does Dio describe Sejanus’ treatment by the senate and emperor?
treated ‘as if he were actually emperor’
Tiberius called him ‘sharer of my Cares’
‘it was he who appeared to be emperor and Tiberius a kind of off-shore monarch’
Dio on Sejanus’ power after he convinced Tiberius to leave Rome in 25AD
When was Sejanus executed and why?
in 31AD. Tiberius supposedly was prompted by Sejanus’ persecution of Germanicus’ sons or was told by Sejanus’ abandoned wife of his part in the death of Drusus.
Who was Tacfarinas?
an auxiliary deserter
When did Tacfarinas and his troops launch raids on Roman territory and fight regional Governors in Africa?
between 15 and 24 AD
Tacitus on how Tacfarinas was defeated?
Publius Cornelius Dolabella orchestrated an early morning attack where Tacfarinas was killed
What does Tacitus’ portrayal of Tacfarinas’ challenge present about Tiberius?
How he would use others to solve crises. This is also seen with the mutinies in Pannonia and Germany
Maiestas trials?
maiestas was a charge of treason against the workings of the Roman state which would be tried in the senate. Punishment was usually death and confiscation of property
Sententia and Tacitus?
this is a particular style of Tacitus’ writing where his opinion is introduced at the end of a section
Who were delatores and how were they connected to maiestas trials?
professional informants, they could come from any social class and would be rewarded with a quarter of the value of the property of those who were convicted of treason.
When did Younger Seneca write ‘on benefits’?
AD 56-62
Purpose of Younger Seneca ‘on benefits’?
A series of moral essays designed to teach Nero - they imply that Tiberius’ actions shouldn’t be followed
‘treason trials became so commonplace that they amounted to a form of national madness’
Younger Seneca on treason trials. This source also records an attempted false allegation
How many treason trials under Tiberius does Tacitus detail?
Around 80
Why does Tacitus particularly highlight the maeistas trials?
because they targeted senators, and he had personal experience of them in the 90sAD under Domitian
What is evidence of the worship of Tiberius’ genius by a leading citizen of Rome?
An inscription from AD27
What coinage shows the political and religious significance of Tiberius’ close relationship to the Divine Augustus?
A Sestertius of Tiberius from AD 34/35 which depicts Augustus and is ‘to the Divine Augustus from the Senate and People of Rome’
What is the emperor-worship inscription from 15AD?
An inscription found in Gytheion, Greece which is a petition to Tiberius detailing arrangements for an 8day festival in honour of members of the imperial family
- Tiberius declined all these honours
Suetonius on Tiberius’ attitude to religion and the divine cult?
‘he vetoed all bills for the dedication of temples and priests to his divinity, and reserved the right to sanction even the setting up of his statues and busts’
‘Tiberius showed large-scale generousity no more than twice’
Suetonius on Tiberius’ relationship with the plebs
‘no magnificent public works marked his reign’
Suetonius on Tiberius
Who describes the joy of Rome when news of Tiberius’ death reached them. ‘To the Tiber with Tiberius!’
Suetonius
‘men primed for slavery’
Tacitus on how Tiberius saw the senate
Portrayal of Tiberius with money?
He was careful with money, Gaius inherited a cash surplus. Despite not being generous with the people that the sources mention, he was able to provide earthquake relief and tax remission for the province of Asia.
Paterculus - portrays him as generous
