Revolts in the Army Flashcards
According to Tacitus, what were the three main reasons for the mutinies among the soldiers? (3 with 2 quotes)
- A mutiny broke out in the legions of Pannonia “which could be traced to no fresh cause except the change of the emperor…and of profit from civil war”
- The soldiers were tired of army life and having to face much harder conditions than the praetorians who were paid more
- They mutinied in the hope that Germanicus “would not be able to endure another’s supremacy and would offer himself to the legions”
According to Velleius Paterculus, what were the main reasons for the mutinies? (2)
- Soldiers were frustrated and had a desire to cause chaos due to there being a new leader and constitution
- They wanted to fix their own level of pay and terms of their engagement
Who did Tiberius send to deal with the revolts in the army?
- His deputies and sons Drusus and Germanicus
Where were the revolts at the beginning of Tiberius’ reign? (2)
- Pannonia
- Germany
Who did Tiberius send to Pannonia to subdue the revolt?
- Drusus, his natural born son
Who did Tiberius send to Germany to subdue the revolt?
- Germanicus, his adopted son
According to Tacitus, who did Drusus take with him to Pannonia?
- Two battalions of the Praetorian Guard and the pick of his own German bodyguard
According to Tacitus, who accompanied Drusus to Pannonia as his advisor?
- L. Aelius Sejanus
According to Tacitus, what instructions did Tiberius give Drusus? Quote?
- Directed him “to act as the circumstances required”
According to Tacitus, what was good about how Drusus handled the revolt?
- He listened to the soldiers’ demands and was to grant them any concession that could be awarded without the necessity of senatorial debate
According to Tacitus, what did Drusus have trusted officers suggest to the men?
- It would be unwise to treat the emperor’s son with hostility
What did Drusus promise the soldiers?
- Fair and merciful hearing from his father if discipline was restored
How does Tacitus write of Germanicus?
- Favourably, downplaying the negative aspects, but cannot hide Germanicus’ poor leadership
According to Tacitus, who did Germanicus bring with him to the revolt?
- His wife and son
According to Tacitus, what did Germanicus do wrong?
- Gave a speech praising Tiberius and warning against civil war - completely disregarded the soldiers and their grievances
According to Tacitus, what did Germanicus do when the soldiers did not relent? What what the response (quote)?
- He threatened to stab himself
- A soldier offered his sword and said “take mine, it’s sharper”
According to Tacitus, what was Tiberius’ reaction to Germanicus’ handling of the revolt?
- “he rejoiced” that the mutiny was crushed, but Germanicus’ methods and fame as a soldier “annoyed him”
According to Tacitus, what did Tiberius do to appear pleased at Germanicus’ handling of the revolt? (quote)
- “brought his achievement under the notice of the senate and spoke of his greatness in language elaborated for effect”
What did Germanicus do to keep the troops in Germany occupied/distracted?
- Led them across the border where they were instructed to recover the standards lost during the Varus disaster
How many expeditions did Germanicus lead into Germany? When? What was his motive?
- 3
- 15-17 AD
- He hoped to regain Roman military prestige
Though Germany was never conquered, what was Germanicus able to do? (2)
- Defeat those who had betrayed Varus
- Recover 2/3 of the lost standards
What does Tacitus tell us about Tiberius’ reaction to Germanicus’ achievements?
- “Tiberius did not approve” although he was honoured in 17 AD (on his return to Rome) with a triumph
Tiberius was aware that Germanicus was anxious to seek personal glory. Who did he dispatch to Syria to keep an eye on him?
- Calpurnius Piso
What gave Germanicus higher authority than Piso?
- Maius Imperium
What Augustan rule did Germanicus break?
- He entered the province of Egypt without permission from the princeps
List 4 ways in which Tacitus tells us Piso attempted to undermine Germanicus
- Made a scathing speech about him to Athens
- Bribed the legions in Syria to revolt (before Germanicus got there), replacing the centurions with his own men
- At a banquet, when Germanicus was presented with a bigger crown than Piso, he threw his to the ground and insulted Germanicus
- When Germanicus returned from Egypt he discovered that all his orders had been reversed or undermined by Piso
In terms of the whole Piso situation, what characteristics does Tacitus identify about Germanicus? Give an example for each (3)
- Highlights his good nature (he knew of Piso slandering him yet set triremes to help when Piso was stuck on some rocks during a storm)
- Civil (when Piso threw a tantrum because his gold crown was smaller, Germanicus held his tongue)
- Views himself as emperor in waiting (took an unauthorised trip to Egypt)
What does Tacitus tell us happened after Germanicus’ death?
- Piso’s house was searched and skeletal remains and curse tablets were found (points to witchcraft)
What did Germanicus supposedly say as he was dying? What does this imply?
- “I die surrounded by my enemies”
- Implies foul play
What does Suetonius tell us of Tiberius’ reaction to Germanicus’ death?
- He showed no remorse and cut short the mourning period
What was the public’s reaction to Germanicus’ death? What does this suggest?
- They shouted in the streets “give us back Germanicus”
- Suggests they blamed Tiberius
What did Agrippina the Elder do shortly after Germanicus’ death?
- Refused an apple from Tiberius as she thought it was poisoned
Agrippina the Elder’s insistence of Tiberius’ involvement in Germanicus’ death led to what? (3)
- She was exiled to a prison island
- Flogged so badly she lost an eye
- Tiberius ordered the senate to decree her birthday as a day of ill-omen
What posthumous honours did Germanicus receive? (3)
- Triumphal arches
- Statues
- Inscriptions
Did Tiberius show up to Germanicus’ funeral ceremonies?
- Nope
How did Piso end up?
- Acquitted of murdering Germanicus but committed suicide whilst awaiting trial for misconduct in the provinces
There was no evidence that Germanicus was poisoned, but the rumours were bound to cause problems for Tiberius. What quote from Tacitus shows Tiberius’ anticipation for consequences?
- “anticipated malevolence among senators and others”
