Tiberius: The Enigmatic Emperor of the Roman Empire

Tiberius Claudius Nero was the second Roman emperor, ruling from 14 to 37 AD. He was a complex and enigmatic figure, known as much for his cruelty and paranoia as for his military prowess and administrative skills.

Tiberius the Politician (Roman Imperial Biographies)

by Barbara Levick

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1173 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Hardcover	:	224 pages
Item Weight	:	13.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.51 x 8.27 x 7.95 inches

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Early Life and Career

Tiberius was born in Rome in 42 BC, the son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His father was a prominent general and politician, while his mother was the niece of Emperor Augustus. Tiberius had an unhappy childhood, marked by his father's death when he was nine and his mother's remarriage to Augustus two years later.

Despite his difficult upbringing, Tiberius proved to be a capable military leader. He served with distinction in the campaigns against the Parthians and the Germans. In 12 BC, he was appointed co-consul with Augustus, and in 6 AD, he was given command of the Roman army in Gaul.

Reign as Emperor

Tiberius became emperor upon the death of Augustus in 14 AD. He was initially reluctant to accept the throne, but he eventually agreed to rule in order to preserve the stability of the empire.

As emperor, Tiberius proved to be a skilled administrator. He reformed the tax system, improved the infrastructure of the empire, and expanded the Roman frontiers. He also oversaw the construction of several important buildings, including the Aqua Claudia aqueduct and the Colosseum.

Cruelty and Paranoia

Despite his accomplishments, Tiberius is best known for his cruelty and paranoia. He was quick to punish those who he perceived as a threat, and he often resorted to torture and execution. His reign was marked by a series of treason trials, in which many prominent Romans were accused of plotting against him.

Tiberius' paranoia was particularly evident in his later years. He withdrew from public life and secluded himself on the island of Capri. He became increasingly suspicious of his advisors and even had his own son, Drusus, executed on charges of treason.

Legacy

Tiberius died in 37 AD, at the age of 78. He was succeeded by his nephew, Caligula. Tiberius' reign is often seen as a period of transition between the rule of Augustus and the chaos of the later Roman Empire.

Tiberius was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a skilled general and administrator, but he was also cruel and paranoid. His reign was marked by both accomplishments and failures, and he remains a source of fascination for historians today.

Tiberius the Politician (Roman Imperial Biographies)

by Barbara Levick

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1173 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Hardcover	:	224 pages
Item Weight	:	13.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.51 x 8.27 x 7.95 inches

FREE