Tiberius

Tiberius (Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus) (tībēr´ēəs), 42 BC–AD 37, second Roman emperor (AD 14–AD 37). He was the son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla and was originally named Tiberius Claudius Nero. He campaigned (20 BC) in Armenia, became (19 BC) governor of Transalpine Gaul, and aided (12 BC) his brother Drusus on the Rhine and the Danube. Augustus, his stepfather, compelled him (12 BC) to divorce his wife, Vipsania Agrippina, and to marry Julia, the widow of Agrippa and daughter of Augustus. After the death of Drusus (9 BC) he campaigned in Germany, and following a second consulship (7 BC) he retired to Rhodes for seven years. On his return he was adopted as heir of the emperor and was sent (AD 4) into Germany. Five years later he subjugated Illyricum. Tiberius succeeded without difficulty on the death of Augustus in AD 14. He spent his efforts in continuing the policies of Augustus, with one exception; he drastically cut luxury expenses, including public shows. By so doing and by reforming the tax situation in the provinces he greatly improved the financial state of the government and made himself extremely unpopular in Rome. For years Sejanus was his chief aid and confidant. Tiberius retired to Capri in AD 26 and ruled thereafter by correspondence. He grew suspicious of intrigues and in AD 31 had Sejanus killed. Modern historians have been inclined to treat his administration more favorably than did Roman historians. He was succeeded by Caligula.

See studies by F. B. Marsh (1931) and R. Seager (1972).

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Tiberius. Encyclopedia title: The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. © 2012 The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. Used with the permission of Columbia University Press. All Rights Reserved. Publisher: The Columbia University Press. Place of publication: Not available. Publication year: 2013.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.