Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Ancient History: Rome > Sejanus > Flashcards

Sejanus Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® U.S. History flashcards European History 101 flashcards AP® European History flashcards AP® World History flashcards World History 102 flashcards U.S. History 102 flashcards World History 101 flashcards U.S. History 101 flashcards
1
Q

After Germanicus died, who did Tiberius plan to promote to secure the succession?

A
  • His own son Drusus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What office did Drusus hold in 21 AD?

A
  • Consul for the second time
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In what year was Drusus granted the tribunician power?

A
  • 22 AD
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who was Sejanus? What three things had he already done?

A
  • 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 well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How did Tiberius refer to Sejanus according to Tacitus? (quote)

A
  • “the partner of my labours”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does Tacitus tell us of Sejanus’ secret desire? (quote)

A
  • “he concealed behind a carefully modest exterior an unbounded lust for power”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

According to Tacitus, what did Sejanus do to increase his power in Rome? (give quotes) (5)

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

According to Cassius Dio, what did Sejanus do to increase his power in Rome? (2) (quotes)

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

When did Cassius Dio write? What does this mean?

A
  • Over 100 years after the events he writes of

- Means there is no pressure for him to write favourably

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was the main obstacle to Sejanus’ power? What did he do about it?

A
  • Other members of the imperial family, mainly Drusus

- Appears that Livilla was seduced by Sejanus and promised marriage if she poisoned Drusus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In what year did Drusus die?

A
  • 23 AD
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

According to what source was the death of Drusus a turning point for Tiberius? How so? Quote?

A
  • 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”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

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

A
  • 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”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What did Sejanus think would help to secure his position within the succession?

A
  • Marriage to Livilla, Drusus’ widow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does Tacitus call Sejanus’ wish to marry Livilla?

A
  • “the first motive of his ambition”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What was Tiberius’ response to Sejanus asking to marry Livilla? Why? (2)

A
  • 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
17
Q

Who did Tiberius allow Sejanus to become engaged to?

A
  • Livilla’s daughter
18
Q

What mistake did Tiberius make?

A
  • He retired to the island of Capri
19
Q

What reason does Tacitus give us for why Tiberius retired to Capri? Give a quote

A
  • Sejanus urged him and “foresaw many advantages to this”
20
Q

What incident further increased Sejanus’ power over Tiberius?

A
  • They were dining in a cave when there was a rockfall. Sejanus is said to have protected Tiberius from the falling boulders
21
Q

What happened in 29 AD that further emboldened Sejanus?

A
  • Livia (Tiberius’ mum) died
22
Q

According to Tacitus, why was Livia’s death a good thing for Sejanus? (1 point + 1 quote)

A
  • “Tiberius had retained a deep-seated deference for his mother”
  • She had influence over Tiberius that Sejanus couldn’t challenge
23
Q

Between AD 29-31, what was Sejanus’ position? (4)

A
  • 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
24
Q

According to Tacitus, what evidence is there to suggest that Sejanus ‘appeared to be emperor’ instead of Tiberius? (2)

A
  • There were altars dedicated to Sejanus and statues built in his honour
  • “Fear gripped the senators and so they resorted to sycophancy”
25
Q

According to Cassius Dio, what evidence is there to suggest that Sejanus ‘appeared to be emperor’ instead of Tiberius? (2)

A
  • “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”
26
Q

What did Sejanus plan to do when it became apparent that Tiberius was promoting Gaius (Caligula)?

A
  • He plotted to kill Tiberius
27
Q

How did Tiberius find out about Sejanus’ plot to kill him?

A
  • Antonia (Germanicus’ mum) told him
28
Q

According to Cassius Dio, what steps did Tiberius take to remove Sejanus from power? (8)

A
  • 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
29
Q

In what year was Sejanus arrested and condemned to death?

A
  • 31 AD
30
Q

Once Sejanus had been killed, what did the senate issue? What did this mean?

A
  • Damnatio memoriae
  • His statues were destroyed and his name was obliterate from all public records. His name was even scratched off of coins
31
Q

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?

A
  • The Reign of Terror
32
Q

After the Sejanus fiasco, how did Tiberius rule? (2)

A
  • He remained in Capri until his death

- Continued to administer the empire through dispatches, but often hesitated in making important decisions

Ancient History: Rome (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions