Tiberius
| Tiberius was the second Roman emperor who was the ruler of Rome after the death of Augustus. He was a member of the Claudians, and he would eventually marry the daughter of Augustus. Once Augustus adopted him, he became a Julian. Tiberius was one of the greatest generals in Roman history. He had a number of successful campaigns in Germania, Rhaetia, Pannonia, and Illyricum. He was known as being a person who was dark. He kept to himself, and did not behave like someone who wanted to be emperor. While he was a solid ruler up until the age of 23, his abilities as a leader began to deteriorate upon the death of his son. By the time his ruled end, Rome was in a state of terror. |  |
Tiberius decided that he wanted to exile himself away from Rome. Those who ruled in his place where even worse than he was, and once he died, it was his adopted grandson Caligula who would become emperor. Because of the status of his family, Tiberius spent much of his youth in the public limelight. It was during his youth that the Roman government became openly autocratic. Once his mother married Octavian, this laid the foundations which would allow him to become emperor. Despite the many problems that Rome was facing during his childhood, the life of Tiberius was uneventful for the most part.
The first time that Tiberius had to make his first public appearance was after the death of his father. He was required to read the eulogy. As Octavian was becoming the first emperor of Rome, Tiberius had become older, and was establishing a public image for himself. He was a part of the celebration held by Augustus after his successful battle at Actium, and he was also give the rank of quaestor. He was allowed to stand for the consulship, even though Roman laws required him to be five years older. By 20 BC Tiberius began to establish himself as a capable military general. For his success, Tiberius was given the rank of praetorian, and would eventually become consul by 13 BC.
Both he and his brother Nero Claudius Drusus were responsible for a number of campaigns where they fought against the Vindelici and Raetians near the Alps. He also married Vipsania Agrippina, who was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a good friend of Augustus. It was shortly after that his only son was born.
Original Authors: Stephen Palmer
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 02/02/2007
