Pre-accession

Question 1

Birth

Answer 1

(Born at Lugdunum, Kalends of August) 10BC

Question 2

his name change

Answer 2

Named Tiberius Claudius Drusus, after Germanicus’ adoption into the Julian family(AD4) he took the cognomen Nero Germanicus.

Question 3

childhood illness

Answer 3

Childhood troubled by various diseases, grew dull-witted’ little physical strength.
Muffled in a mantle when presiding at gladiatorial games “unprecedented”

Question 4

why did he not hold any magistracy

Answer 4

At the age when he should have won a magistracy or chosen a private career he was considered by his family incapable of either.

Question 5

What did he still have when of age

Answer 5

After coming of age he remained under the supervision of a tutor who punished him

Question 6

studious

Answer 6

Applied himself seriously to literature

While still a child published several works

Question 7

treatment by family

Answer 7

His mother Antonia called him a monster whom nature had flung aside. Would use his foolishness as an insult. Livia Augusta too, seldom addressed him personally. Sister Livilla prayed aloud that the Romans be spared so cruel a misfortune as his rise to power (after a prediction)

Question 8

Augustus’ letter to Livia

Answer 8

His mother Antonia called him a monster whom nature had flung aside. Would use his foolishness as an insult. Livia Augusta too, seldom addressed him personally. Sister Livilla prayed aloud that the Romans be spared so cruel a misfortune as his rise to power (after a prediction)

Question 9

Augustus impressed by Claudius

Answer 9

A very pleasant surprise, someone who talks so confusedly can nevertheless disclaim so well with such clearness everything that needs to be said

Question 10

What did Augustus give Claudius

Answer 10

Listed him in his will in the third degree (only inherited if 1st+2nd did not) practically strangers received this. 1/6th part of his estate left to him, a mere 800000 sesterces

Question 11

What honours did Augustus give Claudius

Answer 11

-nevertheless he gave him no honours except a seat in the college of augurs.

Question 12

What did he ask Tiberius when he was emperor

and outcome

Answer 12

Asked him if he could receive some public office
Tiberius gave him the consular insignia (empty title)
Claudius pressed for the duties of consul
Tiberius replied he was sending him 40aurei to be spent on trinkets for the saturnalia and sigillaria
Claudius renounced all hop of a political career

Question 13

when let down by Tiberius

Answer 13

Idle life. Intimates were men of the lowest class. Reputation of worthlessness enhanced. Stories of drunkenness and love of gambling

Question 14

Opinion of th epeople

Answer 14

Never lost the people’s respect of public esteem

Question 15

Equites support of him

Answer 15

twice chose him as their official representative to the consuls (a member of the imperial family but not a member of the senate)

When he appeared at public shows the entire equestrian order would rise and take of their cloaks as a mark of honour,

Question 16

Senatorial support

Answer 16

The senate voted that he should be made an extraordinary member of the Augustan priesthood (they were as a rule chosen by lot)
When his mansion burned down they decreed it should be rebuilt at public expense(vetoed) and that he should have the honour of addressing the senate among men of consular rank.

Question 17

Tiberius’ death, his will for him

Answer 17

Tiberiuss death only saw lauding listed with heirs of the third degree. 1/3 of the estate, 2,000,000sesterces
And a commendation to the army, senate, people of rome

Question 18

What did he do when Gaius was emperor

Answer 18

tried to win popularity

Question 19

Held office

Answer 19

Was a consul with Gaius for two months

Question 20

Good omens

Answer 20

When he first entered the forum with the fasces an eagle swooped down and perched on his shoulder
Drew lots for a second consulship that fell four years later

Question 21

Gaius’ substitute at the games and his reception

Answer 21

Occasionally presided as Gaius’ substitute at the games, audience greeted him “long live the emperor’s uncle” “long live Germanicus’ brother

Question 22

mocked/abused

Answer 22

Frequently insulted
Late at the dinning hall he had to find a vacant couch
He nodded of at dinner, he would be pelted, slippers on hands, would wake him with whip/cane.

Question 23

Why as he almost removed from his first consulship

Answer 23

Nearly removed from first consulship for taking too long to set up statues of Nero and Drusus (brothers of Gaius)

Question 24

Sent on missions

Answer 24

Senate sent him on missions, Gaius was so annoyed that he had been entrusted that he nearly killed him.

Question 25

Violence by Gaius

Answer 25

“According to one account” Gaius threw him clothed into the Rhine

Question 26

humiliated by Gaius and under his reign

Answer 26

Humiliated him by ordering that he be the last man of consular rank to speak in any debate
Had to pay 8,000,000sesterces to enter Gaiuss new priesthood, he had to borrow it from the public treasury, pledged his property as security, could not meet the obligation, his goods were formally advertised for sale.