Sejanus Flashcards
After Germanicus died, who did Tiberius plan to promote to secure the succession?
- His own son Drusus
What office did Drusus hold in 21 AD?
- Consul for the second time
In what year was Drusus granted the tribunician power?
- 22 AD
Who was Sejanus? What three things had he already done?
- Tiberius’ trusted advisor
- Had served Augustus
- Had accompanied Drusus to Pannonia in AD 14
- From AD 17 he was sole prefect of the Praetorian Guard
How did Tiberius refer to Sejanus according to Tacitus? (quote)
- “the partner of my labours”
What does Tacitus tell us of Sejanus’ secret desire? (quote)
- “he concealed behind a carefully modest exterior an unbounded lust for power”
According to Tacitus, what did Sejanus do to increase his power in Rome? (give quotes) (5)
- Grasped at power by “daring wickedness”
- “Attached himself” when he was young to Caius Caesar (Augustus’ grandson)
- Apparently he sold his body to a rich older man when he was young
- He “concentrated” the cohorts into one camp “so that they might all receive orders at the same moment…while it would strike terror into the citizens”
- Won the favour of the soldiers and “sought to ingratiate himself” to the senate
- Seduced Livilla, Drusus’ wife - even divorcing his own wife so she wouldn’t be jealous
According to Cassius Dio, what did Sejanus do to increase his power in Rome? (2) (quotes)
- He won over the Praetorian Guard and gained the favour of the senators through “benefactions”, “hopes he inspired” and “intimidation”
- He won over all of Tiberius’ close associated until they “reported to him absolutely everything” Tiberius did whilst telling Tiberius nothing
When did Cassius Dio write? What does this mean?
- Over 100 years after the events he writes of
- Means there is no pressure for him to write favourably
What was the main obstacle to Sejanus’ power? What did he do about it?
- Other members of the imperial family, mainly Drusus
- Appears that Livilla was seduced by Sejanus and promised marriage if she poisoned Drusus
In what year did Drusus die?
- 23 AD
According to what source was the death of Drusus a turning point for Tiberius? How so? Quote?
- Tacitus
- He became more morose and came to depend on Sejanus even more
- “suddenly fortune deranged everything; the emperor became a cruel tyrant, as well as an abettor of cruelty in others”
When it became apparent that the great-grandchildren of Augustus were in line to succeed Tiberius, what did Sejanus do? Give a quote from Tacitus
- He planned to undermide the influence of their mother (Agrippina) by playing off Livia and Livilla against her
- “These ladies were to notify Tiberius that Agrippina, proud of her large family and relying on her popularity, had designs on the throne”
What did Sejanus think would help to secure his position within the succession?
- Marriage to Livilla, Drusus’ widow
What does Tacitus call Sejanus’ wish to marry Livilla?
- “the first motive of his ambition”
What was Tiberius’ response to Sejanus asking to marry Livilla? Why? (2)
- Rejected the proposal
- He believed that such a marriage would intensify Agrippina’s ill feeling and split the imperial household in two
- It would create jealousy among the more distinguished senators
Who did Tiberius allow Sejanus to become engaged to?
- Livilla’s daughter
What mistake did Tiberius make?
- He retired to the island of Capri
What reason does Tacitus give us for why Tiberius retired to Capri? Give a quote
- Sejanus urged him and “foresaw many advantages to this”
What incident further increased Sejanus’ power over Tiberius?
- They were dining in a cave when there was a rockfall. Sejanus is said to have protected Tiberius from the falling boulders
What happened in 29 AD that further emboldened Sejanus?
- Livia (Tiberius’ mum) died
According to Tacitus, why was Livia’s death a good thing for Sejanus? (1 point + 1 quote)
- “Tiberius had retained a deep-seated deference for his mother”
- She had influence over Tiberius that Sejanus couldn’t challenge
Between AD 29-31, what was Sejanus’ position? (4)
- Had control of the Praetorian Guard and the senate
- He was engaged to Tiberius’ granddaughter
- He was granted proconsular imperium
- Honoured with statues and games
According to Tacitus, what evidence is there to suggest that Sejanus ‘appeared to be emperor’ instead of Tiberius? (2)
- There were altars dedicated to Sejanus and statues built in his honour
- “Fear gripped the senators and so they resorted to sycophancy”
According to Cassius Dio, what evidence is there to suggest that Sejanus ‘appeared to be emperor’ instead of Tiberius? (2)
- “he appeared emperor” while Tiberius was an “offshore monarch”
- People “flocked” to Sejanus’ door, and waited outside his house “lest they are seen to be absent”
What did Sejanus plan to do when it became apparent that Tiberius was promoting Gaius (Caligula)?
- He plotted to kill Tiberius
How did Tiberius find out about Sejanus’ plot to kill him?
- Antonia (Germanicus’ mum) told him
According to Cassius Dio, what steps did Tiberius take to remove Sejanus from power? (8)
- Played dumb
- Sent Sejanus mixed messages - “he would lavish praise upon Sejanus, and then would utterly denounce him”
- Replaced Sejanus with Macro as the head of the Praetorian Guard
- Got vigiles to surround the temple where the senate was to meet
- Circulated a rumour that Sejanus was to receive Tribunician power and lured Sejanus to the meeting
- The letter that Sejanus thought would give him Tribunician power was read, denouncing him
- The senate attacked him and decreed his execution
- He was thrown down the stairs and beaten for 3 days before being thrown in the river
- Livilla was put to death
In what year was Sejanus arrested and condemned to death?
- 31 AD
Once Sejanus had been killed, what did the senate issue? What did this mean?
- Damnatio memoriae
- His statues were destroyed and his name was obliterate from all public records. His name was even scratched off of coins
When Sejanus’ ex wife informed Tiberius of Sejanus’ involvement in Drusus’ death, he became even more embittered and suspicious, taking a much harsher attitude to accusations of treason. What does Tacitus refer to this period as?
- The Reign of Terror
After the Sejanus fiasco, how did Tiberius rule? (2)
- He remained in Capri until his death
- Continued to administer the empire through dispatches, but often hesitated in making important decisions
