Chapters
| Name | Tiberius Claudius Nero |
|---|---|
| Ruled as | Tiberius Caesar Augustus |
| Reign | 19 August 14 – 16 March 37 CE |
| Born | 16 November 42 BCE |
| Died | 16 March 37 CE |
Tiberius Claudius Nero was born in 42 BCE in Rome. Tiberius was a member of the Claudius family and the second emperor in Roman history. Thanks to his adoption by Octavian Augustus he joined the Julius family. All subsequent emperors up to Nero were related to these families to varying degrees, hence the name Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Tiberius became known as an outstanding Roman general who led effective fights in Germany and on the Danube at the behest of Emperor Augustus. After the death of his adoptive father, Tiberius took over the rule. It was a time of stabilization for the lower classes and a period of terror for the aristocracy, mainly due to the praetorian prefect Sejanus, who gained more and more power in the Roman state and tried to seize power.
Background and career
The beginnings of life
Tiberius was the son of Tiberius Claudius and Livia Drusilla. Through the adoption of his maternal grandfather, he also belonged to the plebeian gens Livia, which, according to Suetonius, was distinguished by many outstanding Romans. Suetonius describes that when Tiberius was about to be born, Livia sought divination.
She took an egg from under a setting hen, and when she had warmed it in her own hand and those of her attendants in turn, a cock with a fine crest was hatched. In his infancy the astrologer Scribonius promised him an illustrious career and even that he would one day be king, but without the crown of royalty; for at that time of course the rule of the Caesars was as yet unheard of.
– Suetonius, Tiberius 14
Thanks to Suetonius, we know that the first few years of Tiberius’ life were full of stress. His father Tiberius Claudius Nero (the optimist) was forced to take sides on the political scene and became involved with Mark Antony. As a result, he had to leave Rome in 41 BCE and was repeatedly fled by Octavian’s supporters along with Livia and his little son. Suetonius tells how they found themselves in the forest one night, when suddenly “fire all about them, and the flames so encircled the whole company that part of Livia’s robe and her hair were scorched”1.
In 40 BCE, Antony and Octavian reconciled, ending a difficult period in the family’s life. Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia returned to Rome. Octavian met Livia by accident when she was pregnant. He fell in love and immediately divorced Scribonia, and forced Tiberius Claudius Nero to give him Livia. According to the arrangements, Tiberius and the newly born Drusus (later called the Elder) were to remain at their father’s house, who was to take care of their upbringing and education. The wedding of Octavian and Livia took place on January 17, 38 BCE, after the birth of Drusus. As reported by Cassius Dio, Tiberius Claudius Nero took part in the wedding ceremony, handing over his ex-wife personally to Octavian, as if the father of the bride did.
Political and military career
In 33 BCE Tiberius Claudius Nero died. At the funeral, Tiberius gave a speech praising his biological father. The fact that he was the elder of the brothers and officially belonged to the group of Octavian’s “family” extended a bright future for him. Moreover, Octavian’s victory in 31 BCE at Actium and the assumption of full power made Octavian look for a possible successor. The natural candidate was either Marcus Agrippa or Marcus Claudius Marcellus – the ruler’s close friends. After all, Octavian tried to ensure the appropriate career development of Tiberius and his brother, which was certainly influenced by Livia.
In 29 BCE Tiberius began his participation in public life by participating in the triumph of Augustus to commemorate the Battle of Actium. At 17 (25 BCE) he became a quaestor with the consent of Au