Imperial Succession: Julio-Claudians
TIBERIUS
Tacitus ‘Annals’
3 Tiberius, Drusus and Germanicus consuls; Tiberius in Campania → AD21.
Tiberius wrote to the Senate for Drusus’s tribune power – responsible, experienced;
only chose after Germanicus’s death → AD22.
4 Sejanus attempting to become successor: first Drusus (grudge, seduced wife) –
poisoned. Tiberius seemingly uninterested, no reaction, against Agrippina (children
would succeed) → AD23.
Sejanus against Nero – spies, bad character but exaggerated; used Drusus → AD26
5 Tyranny – Augusta died so Tiberius and Sejanus increased power; denounced
Agrippina (insubordination and disobedience) and Nero Caesar (indecency).
Suetonius ‘Life of Tiberius’
55 Tiberius used Sejanus’s capability partly to ensure his own grandson’s succession.
GAIUS (CALIGULA)
Tacitus ‘Annals’
6 Married Claudilla, horrible character, (AD33) reflected Tib; Macro powerful, Gai
married Ennia (Macro’s wife) to get closer to throne; Tib hesitated, considered
Gemellus (too young) & Claudius (weak-minded), Tib hated Gai’s popularity,
external successor potentially humiliating to Augustus’s name → AD 37
Suetonius ‘Life of Tiberius’
76 Gai and Gem co-heirs in Tib’s will.
Suetonius ‘Life of Gaius’
12 Gai married Cla, died childbirth, Gai seduced Enn, Mac was Guards Commander,
swore to marry her if became emperor, poisoned and smothered/throttled Tib.
13 Roman people supported Gai, loved Ger, pitied violence of family, support of
provinces and soldiers, large celebrations.
14 Immediate total power from Senate, ignoring Tib’s will.
23 Gem killed by Tib (pretext of offense he thought Tib would), Clau joked about.
Cassius Dio
59.1 Mac and Tib’s will rejected in the Senate – Tib insane, Gem young, Gem killed
(Tib adopted).
TIBERIUS
Tacitus ‘Annals’
3 Tiberius, Drusus and Germanicus consuls; Tiberius in Campania → AD21.
Tiberius wrote to the Senate for Drusus’s tribune power – responsible, experienced;
only chose after Germanicus’s death → AD22.
4 Sejanus attempting to become successor: first Drusus (grudge, seduced wife) –
poisoned. Tiberius seemingly uninterested, no reaction, against Agrippina (children
would succeed) → AD23.
Sejanus against Nero – spies, bad character but exaggerated; used Drusus → AD26
5 Tyranny – Augusta died so Tiberius and Sejanus increased power; denounced
Agrippina (insubordination and disobedience) and Nero Caesar (indecency).
Suetonius ‘Life of Tiberius’
55 Tiberius used Sejanus’s capability partly to ensure his own grandson’s succession.
GAIUS (CALIGULA)
Tacitus ‘Annals’
6 Married Claudilla, horrible character, (AD33) reflected Tib; Macro powerful, Gai
married Ennia (Macro’s wife) to get closer to throne; Tib hesitated, considered
Gemellus (too young) & Claudius (weak-minded), Tib hated Gai’s popularity,
external successor potentially humiliating to Augustus’s name → AD 37
Suetonius ‘Life of Tiberius’
76 Gai and Gem co-heirs in Tib’s will.
Suetonius ‘Life of Gaius’
12 Gai married Cla, died childbirth, Gai seduced Enn, Mac was Guards Commander,
swore to marry her if became emperor, poisoned and smothered/throttled Tib.
13 Roman people supported Gai, loved Ger, pitied violence of family, support of
provinces and soldiers, large celebrations.
14 Immediate total power from Senate, ignoring Tib’s will.
23 Gem killed by Tib (pretext of offense he thought Tib would), Clau joked about.
Cassius Dio
59.1 Mac and Tib’s will rejected in the Senate – Tib insane, Gem young, Gem killed
(Tib adopted).
