The Death of Augustus and the Succession of Tiberius Flashcards
When did Augustus die? How old was he?
- 19th August 14 AD
- 76 years old
In what year did Augustus adopt Tiberius?
- 4 AD
What power was Tiberius given when he was adopted?
- Tribunician power
According to Tacitus, what problems did Tiberius face upon becoming princeps? (2, give a quote for each)
- Ruling was a difficult job - “only the genius of an Augustus, now deified, was equal to such a mighty task”
- The ambitions of others - Gallus married Tiberius’ former wife Vispania “thereby revealing a degree of ambition inappropriate to an ordinary citizen”
What does Tacitus tell us that Augustus advised Tiberius just before he died? (quote)
- Who “had the capacity to fill the office but would refuse it, those who desired it but lacked the capacity, and those who had both the capacity and the desire”
According to Tacitus, what did Tiberius do with Augustus’ advice on who to watch out for? (quote)
- he “disposed” of them “under varying criminal charges”
What does Suetonius tell us of Agrippa Postumus’ death? (3)
- It was suspicious as he was the only other person with a claim
- The man who killed Agrippa Postumus came to Tiberius and told him his orders had been fulfilled (which he obviously denied)
- Tiberius “was, it seems, trying to avoid immediate unpopularity, for he soon allowed the incident to be forgotten”
What did Augustus’ will say (according to Suetonius) that undermined Tiberius? How?
- “since fate has cruelly carried off my sons Gaius and Lucius, Tiberius Caesar is to inherit two thirds of my property”
- This shows Tiberius to be the last resort and as the will was read in public, it could have caused people to question Tiberius’ ability to rule
What type of behaviour did Tiberius hate?
- Sycophantic behaviour
What does Tacitus tell us of Tiberius’ attitude to ruling? (2 - give a quote for each)
- He was reluctant to have sole power and says “the task of government would be more readily discharged through the co-operative efforts of a greater number”
- he was reluctant to rule full stop “his preference was for total exemption”
Explain why Tiberius may have feigned reluctance to rule
- others wanted his position and would kill him for it, so reluctance would work in his favour
What does Tiberius’ disposal of threats reveal about his reluctance to rule?
- It could have been a facade
What does Tiberius’ disposal of Lucius Arruntius reveal?
- Augustus said that Lucius was capable of ruling, so Tiberius could have simply transferred the principate to him, rather than disposing him (shows that maybe Tiberius wasn’t so reluctant to rule as he made out)
According to Suetonius, Tiberius’ attitude to ruling was one of fake reluctance. Why is this? Quote?
- He wouldn’t have cared for public opinion if he didn’t want the principate, but soon allowed “the incident to be forgotten” (the death of Agrippa Postumus)
Which quote from Tacitus shows Tiberius to only accept the principate after being worn down?
- “he began to give way, little by little… without acknowledging that he had now accepted the principate”
