CN: Lecture 21: The World of Imperial Rome - The Julio-Claudians

The Julio-Claudians (after Augustus)

Tiberius 14-37CE

Caligula 37-41CE

Claudius 41-54CE

Nero 54-68CE

linked to Augustus/Livia - related by blood

hereditary link

Family tree in slides:

Tiberius:

Comes to power on Augustus' death 14CE

Germanicus - potential rival, but he dies in the East in 19CE

Germanicus could've changeling Tiberius - he doesn't

Germanicus wasn't ignored by Tiberius he was included

Tiberius' son Drusus, now the chosen successor

shares consulship in 21CE

in 23CE Drusus dies

Tiberius is in his 60s - good life length in Rome

in 26CE Tiberius leaves Rome for the island of Capri

Tiberius on Capri:

in 26CE Tiberius retires to Capri, he never returned to Rome

his absence demonstrates that autocracy was the reality

also presents a power vacuum with opportunities for some - Treason Trials, for example, become a political tool - was exploited

Role of Sejanus:

Sejanus was trying to advance his power

building his influence

Praetorian Prefect (so an Equestrian)

(imperial military force - kind of like a bodyguard - person guard/ main fighting force - hand picked soldiers to follow the emperor orders)

Represents Tiberius in Rome

Tiberius eventually has him executed

sends a letter to be read aloud - kept Sejanus guessing util the end where he is condemned

had him arrested and executed in the same day

wife implicate Sejanus in poisoning Drusus - to try and rule themselves

Treason Trails don't disappear - they increase

used to try and gain influence and power in Rome

Tiberius lets the Trials be used as a political tool

creating an environment of fear

not dealing with the Trials = Tiberius rule viewed as reign of terror - no one was safe

Tiberius dies in 37CE

Tiberius has two apparent successors:

Germanicus' youngest son: Gaius (Gaius Caesar - Caligula)

Tiberius' grandson: Tiberius Gemellus - very young when Tiberius died

Gaius was raised on Capri

he never saw how politics works in Rome

made friends with Macro

Macro (Praetorian Prefect) supports Gaius

senate was forced to make Gaius the sole Emperor

Reign starts well - then declines

he was quite popular within his rule

after a few months suffers an illness - seems to be a megalomaniac

executes anyone who could be a potential rival

increases taxes - spends large amounts of money

hostile treatment of Senators

held consulship for every year of his reign expect 38CE - shows he's insecure from lack of Roman politics knowledge

Military Campaigns

Germany (Gaul) - 39Ce

Britain (Preparations made?) - 40 CE

several conspiracies

Cassius Chaerea assassinated the Emperor [Dio LIX.29] in 41CE

strong ties to the republic

guards run riots in palace - looting

find Claudius - was left alive

claimed as emperor by the Praetorian Guard

senate are considering who should be emperor - not considering Claudius - kind of removed from the family

Claudius - mental issues - spoke slowly - clumsy

to be an emperor you had to be in pristine health

Praetorians declare that Claudius is the new Emperor cutting of the Senate

Claudius spoke very slowly - was labeled as a court jester

he spent a lot of time away from Rome study

revised old traditions and revived some of them

was very reliant of advisors

advisors were not senators - they were freed-slaves

senators have to go through the freed-slaves and his wives to get to the emperor

accused of being under control of his advisors and wives

valiera was married to Claudius

then in some wired party and marries someone else

might have been a coup

she is executed

other wife is Agrippina

used her influence to remove political rivals

wants her son to be the next ruler

improved administration and Bureacracy

improved infrastructure

invaded Britain

Demise - poisoned> it is allged he might have died from old age

look at rest of slides