Roman History 12 - Tiberius And Caligula 14 AD - 41 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 57 Rome episode 57 Rome episode 57 germanicus surprise bonus Friday edition germanicus surprise bonus Friday edition germanicus surprise bonus Friday edition I'm hopping on a plane tomorrow to visit I'm hopping on a plane tomorrow to visit I'm hopping on a plane tomorrow to visit the history of Roman laws and since I the history of Roman laws and since I the history of Roman laws and since I just took a week off I figured it would just took a week off I figured it would just took a week off I figured it would be pretty poor form to ditch out again be pretty poor form to ditch out again be pretty poor form to ditch out again so here we so here we so here we are the transition from Augustus to are the transition from Augustus to are the transition from Augustus to Tiberia went smoothly in Rome itself the Tiberia went smoothly in Rome itself the Tiberia went smoothly in Rome itself the now utterly sycophantic Senate was quick now utterly sycophantic Senate was quick now utterly sycophantic Senate was quick to embrace their new emperor but beyond to embrace their new emperor but beyond to embrace their new emperor but beyond the capital out on the Frontiers the the capital out on the Frontiers the the capital out on the Frontiers the death of Augustus led to immediate death of Augustus led to immediate death of Augustus led to immediate unrest in a far more important body than unrest in a far more important body than unrest in a far more important body than the increasingly irrelevant Senate the the increasingly irrelevant Senate the the increasingly irrelevant Senate the legions it was not so much that the legions it was not so much that the legions it was not so much that the death of the princeps incited death of the princeps incited death of the princeps incited revolutionary Spirits so much as a few revolutionary Spirits so much as a few revolutionary Spirits so much as a few rabal rousing common soldiers saw an rabal rousing common soldiers saw an rabal rousing common soldiers saw an opportunity to agitate for better opportunity to agitate for better opportunity to agitate for better conditions and make sure that certain conditions and make sure that certain conditions and make sure that certain promises made to them by Augustus were promises made to them by Augustus were promises made to them by Augustus were not ignored by not ignored by not ignored by tiberias the new emperor needed to tiberias the new emperor needed to tiberias the new emperor needed to secure the Goodwill of the armies if he secure the Goodwill of the armies if he secure the Goodwill of the armies if he wanted to rule right so why not push him wanted to rule right so why not push him wanted to rule right so why not push him a little early in the game and threaten a little early in the game and threaten a little early in the game and threaten to crash his new regime into the ground to crash his new regime into the ground to crash his new regime into the ground if he didn't give them what they wanted if he didn't give them what they wanted if he didn't give them what they wanted the mutinies of 14 ad would be a key the mutinies of 14 ad would be a key the mutinies of 14 ad would be a key early test of tiberias rule would he early test of tiberias rule would he early test of tiberias rule would he reveal himself to be nothing more than a reveal himself to be nothing more than a reveal himself to be nothing more than a cheap imitation of Augustus or would he cheap imitation of Augustus or would he cheap imitation of Augustus or would he be able to rule in his own be able to rule in his own be able to rule in his own right there were more than a few who did right there were more than a few who did right there were more than a few who did not believe that the imperial regime not believe that the imperial regime not believe that the imperial regime would be able to survive Beyond Augustus would be able to survive Beyond Augustus would be able to survive Beyond Augustus that the dead princeps possessed a that the dead princeps possessed a that the dead princeps possessed a singular quality that allowed him to singular quality that allowed him to singular quality that allowed him to rule unopposed once he was gone the rule unopposed once he was gone the rule unopposed once he was gone the regime would collapse and the Republic regime would collapse and the Republic regime would collapse and the Republic would be

would be would be restored but Tiberius proved to be restored but Tiberius proved to be restored but Tiberius proved to be stronger and much more capable than stronger and much more capable than stronger and much more capable than anyone had given him credit for and the anyone had given him credit for and the anyone had given him credit for and the opposition to the regime proved thinner opposition to the regime proved thinner opposition to the regime proved thinner and weaker than most people had and weaker than most people had and weaker than most people had hoped tacus notes that the transition hoped tacus notes that the transition hoped tacus notes that the transition was eased by the sheer length of was eased by the sheer length of was eased by the sheer length of Augustine rule after 44 years in power Augustine rule after 44 years in power Augustine rule after 44 years in power only the very old had a clear memory of only the very old had a clear memory of only the very old had a clear memory of what it was like to live before the what it was like to live before the what it was like to live before the Caesars took over for the middle-aged Caesars took over for the middle-aged Caesars took over for the middle-aged and the young it was perfectly natural and the young it was perfectly natural and the young it was perfectly natural to be ruled by a single man whoever he to be ruled by a single man whoever he to be ruled by a single man whoever he turned out to be life was pretty good turned out to be life was pretty good turned out to be life was pretty good the empire was prosperous the civil wars the empire was prosperous the civil wars the empire was prosperous the civil wars were over what was the big deal there were over what was the big deal there were over what was the big deal there was still a senate it still had was still a senate it still had was still a senate it still had responsibilities there were still responsibilities there were still responsibilities there were still consules and proconsuls and adils and consules and proconsuls and adils and consules and proconsuls and adils and tribunes everything was basically the tribunes everything was basically the tribunes everything was basically the same except that in the end the buck same except that in the end the buck same except that in the end the buck stopped somewhere in the Imperial Palace stopped somewhere in the Imperial Palace stopped somewhere in the Imperial Palace and who wants that resp responsibility and who wants that resp responsibility and who wants that resp responsibility anyway it would be years into the anyway it would be years into the anyway it would be years into the Tiberian regime before the Romans really Tiberian regime before the Romans really Tiberian regime before the Romans really got a taste of the dark side of absolute got a taste of the dark side of absolute got a taste of the dark side of absolute power but by then it was way too power but by then it was way too power but by then it was way too late for his part tiberious tried to late for his part tiberious tried to late for his part tiberious tried to follow in The Savvy footsteps of follow in The Savvy footsteps of follow in The Savvy footsteps of Augustus and make sure at first not to Augustus and make sure at first not to Augustus and make sure at first not to rub his power in anyone's face he was rub his power in anyone's face he was rub his power in anyone's face he was deferential to the Senate almost to a deferential to the Senate almost to a deferential to the Senate almost to a fault and when they tried to immediately fault and when they tried to immediately fault and when they tried to immediately Heap upon him all the honors they had Heap upon him all the honors they had Heap upon him all the honors they had thrust upon Augustus Tiberius demor some thrust upon Augustus Tiberius demor some thrust upon Augustus Tiberius demor some he would accept but some some like the he would accept but some some like the he would accept but some some like the Civic crown or the title father of the Civic crown or the title father of the Civic crown or the title father of the country he refused he was interested in country he refused he was interested in country he refused he was interested in power yes but was perfectly willing to power yes but was perfectly willing to power yes but was perfectly willing to give the Senate a greater share in the give the Senate a greater share in the give the Senate a greater share in the governance of the country if only to governance of the country if only to governance of the country if only to take some of the responsibility off of

take some of the responsibility off of take some of the responsibility off of his plate when they kept refusing to his plate when they kept refusing to his plate when they kept refusing to show some initiative and instead kept show some initiative and instead kept show some initiative and instead kept waiting for him to tell them what to do waiting for him to tell them what to do waiting for him to tell them what to do tiberious complained that the Senate was tiberious complained that the Senate was tiberious complained that the Senate was full of men fit to be full of men fit to be full of men fit to be slaves the once great body had descended slaves the once great body had descended slaves the once great body had descended into an impotent social club for Rich into an impotent social club for Rich into an impotent social club for Rich old men if KO hadn't have been cremated old men if KO hadn't have been cremated old men if KO hadn't have been cremated he would be spinning in his he would be spinning in his he would be spinning in his grave but the legions the legions were a grave but the legions the legions were a grave but the legions the legions were a different story they were not so quick different story they were not so quick different story they were not so quick to roll over for their new to roll over for their new to roll over for their new master the first Mutiny of 14 ad took master the first Mutiny of 14 ad took master the first Mutiny of 14 ad took place in panonia where a few Legion rose place in panonia where a few Legion rose place in panonia where a few Legion rose up against their officers and took up against their officers and took up against their officers and took control of the camps the men then began control of the camps the men then began control of the camps the men then began looting the countryside for anything of looting the countryside for anything of looting the countryside for anything of value while they waited for some kind of value while they waited for some kind of value while they waited for some kind of reaction from Rome when word came of the reaction from Rome when word came of the reaction from Rome when word came of the Mutiny Tiberius acted quickly and Mutiny Tiberius acted quickly and Mutiny Tiberius acted quickly and ordered his son drw to go take control ordered his son drw to go take control ordered his son drw to go take control of the of the of the situation he didn't want to go himself situation he didn't want to go himself situation he didn't want to go himself as it would set a bad precedent that all as it would set a bad precedent that all as it would set a bad precedent that all it took to get the new emperor to come it took to get the new emperor to come it took to get the new emperor to come around was a little around was a little around was a little insubordination tiberious wanted the men insubordination tiberious wanted the men insubordination tiberious wanted the men to understand that it was beneath his to understand that it was beneath his to understand that it was beneath his dignity to personally address Such dignity to personally address Such dignity to personally address Such trivial issues like insubordinate foot trivial issues like insubordinate foot trivial issues like insubordinate foot soldiers but he also wanted to signal soldiers but he also wanted to signal soldiers but he also wanted to signal that he took the Mutiny seriously and that he took the Mutiny seriously and that he took the Mutiny seriously and that he was not simply going to blow off that he was not simply going to blow off that he was not simply going to blow off the demands from his army which was the demands from his army which was the demands from his army which was after all critical to his remaining in after all critical to his remaining in after all critical to his remaining in power so he split the difference and power so he split the difference and power so he split the difference and sent drusus accompanying the emperor's sent drusus accompanying the emperor's sent drusus accompanying the emperor's son were two cohorts of petorian guard son were two cohorts of petorian guard son were two cohorts of petorian guard led by a man who was to act as drusus led by a man who was to act as drusus led by a man who was to act as drusus had advisor on the trip and who will had advisor on the trip and who will had advisor on the trip and who will play a major role in our next episode play a major role in our next episode play a major role in our next episode Lucius

Lucius Lucius sanus when drusus arrived the men were sanus when drusus arrived the men were sanus when drusus arrived the men were in a sorry state of disrepair and while in a sorry state of disrepair and while in a sorry state of disrepair and while they accepted drusus into Camp they were they accepted drusus into Camp they were they accepted drusus into Camp they were not thrilled to see him rather than his not thrilled to see him rather than his not thrilled to see him rather than his father drusus promised to do his best to father drusus promised to do his best to father drusus promised to do his best to meet the solders demands mostly centered meet the solders demands mostly centered meet the solders demands mostly centered around reducing the service time from 20 around reducing the service time from 20 around reducing the service time from 20 years down to 16 but that he would also years down to 16 but that he would also years down to 16 but that he would also have to consult with tiberias before any have to consult with tiberias before any have to consult with tiberias before any final decisions could be made the final decisions could be made the final decisions could be made the leaders of the Mutiny accused jusus of leaders of the Mutiny accused jusus of leaders of the Mutiny accused jusus of playing the same good cop bad cop playing the same good cop bad cop playing the same good cop bad cop routine with them that tyberius and routine with them that tyberius and routine with them that tyberius and Augustus used to play with Tiberius now Augustus used to play with Tiberius now Augustus used to play with Tiberius now playing the bad rather than the good playing the bad rather than the good playing the bad rather than the good cop drusus swore this wasn't the case cop drusus swore this wasn't the case cop drusus swore this wasn't the case but the incensed troops drove him from but the incensed troops drove him from but the incensed troops drove him from the de anyway that night though jusa the de anyway that night though jusa the de anyway that night though jusa sent allies into the camps to speak sent allies into the camps to speak sent allies into the camps to speak one-on-one with the soldiers what did one-on-one with the soldiers what did one-on-one with the soldiers what did they think the final outcome of all this they think the final outcome of all this they think the final outcome of all this was going to be that somehow the leaders was going to be that somehow the leaders was going to be that somehow the leaders of the Mutiny were going to be made of the Mutiny were going to be made of the Mutiny were going to be made generals and put in line for the throne generals and put in line for the throne generals and put in line for the throne that attacking the son of the emperor that attacking the son of the emperor that attacking the son of the emperor was going to make Tiberius more likely was going to make Tiberius more likely was going to make Tiberius more likely to give in their demands by morning to give in their demands by morning to give in their demands by morning Tiberius had swed enough doubt with the Tiberius had swed enough doubt with the Tiberius had swed enough doubt with the men that they were ready to let go their men that they were ready to let go their men that they were ready to let go their treason he promised the soldiers treason he promised the soldiers treason he promised the soldiers unconditional Pardons and the right to unconditional Pardons and the right to unconditional Pardons and the right to present their case to tiberias if they present their case to tiberias if they present their case to tiberias if they return control of the camps to their return control of the camps to their return control of the camps to their officers and produce the leaders of the officers and produce the leaders of the officers and produce the leaders of the Mutiny for Mutiny for Mutiny for trial the soldiers having fought through trial the soldiers having fought through trial the soldiers having fought through the lik penalty for keeping up the the lik penalty for keeping up the the lik penalty for keeping up the Revolt immediately complied the first Revolt immediately complied the first Revolt immediately complied the first test of tiber's Reign ended in success test of tiber's Reign ended in success test of tiber's Reign ended in success for the new emperor thanks to the Savvy for the new emperor thanks to the Savvy for the new emperor thanks to the Savvy diplomacy of his diplomacy of his diplomacy of his son but immediately after the situation son but immediately after the situation son but immediately after the situation in panonia was settled a similar Mutiny

in panonia was settled a similar Mutiny in panonia was settled a similar Mutiny broke out on the banks of the lower rind broke out on the banks of the lower rind broke out on the banks of the lower rind a few of the legions stationed there a few of the legions stationed there a few of the legions stationed there revolted against their officers and revolted against their officers and revolted against their officers and drove them out of the camp following the drove them out of the camp following the drove them out of the camp following the lead of their brothers down in lead of their brothers down in lead of their brothers down in panonia this time it was germanicus who panonia this time it was germanicus who panonia this time it was germanicus who hastened to the crisis germanicus was hastened to the crisis germanicus was hastened to the crisis germanicus was the biological Grand nephew of Augustus the biological Grand nephew of Augustus the biological Grand nephew of Augustus and the biological nephew of tiberias and the biological nephew of tiberias and the biological nephew of tiberias and by legal adoption was now the and by legal adoption was now the and by legal adoption was now the grandson of the old Emperor and the son grandson of the old Emperor and the son grandson of the old Emperor and the son of the new one he had just arrived in of the new one he had just arrived in of the new one he had just arrived in Gaul to take on the command assigned to Gaul to take on the command assigned to Gaul to take on the command assigned to him by the Senate after the passing of him by the Senate after the passing of him by the Senate after the passing of Augustus when news of the Revolt came Augustus when news of the Revolt came Augustus when news of the Revolt came and he quickly made his way to the and he quickly made his way to the and he quickly made his way to the mutinous camps germanicus took after his mutinous camps germanicus took after his mutinous camps germanicus took after his father tyberius his brother drusus he father tyberius his brother drusus he father tyberius his brother drusus he was popular easygoing a natural leader was popular easygoing a natural leader was popular easygoing a natural leader and an accomplished Soldier and all and an accomplished Soldier and all and an accomplished Soldier and all around Roman Dreamboat if you ladies out around Roman Dreamboat if you ladies out around Roman Dreamboat if you ladies out there want to get a look at the Young there want to get a look at the Young there want to get a look at the Young hunk there's a picture of a sculpture of hunk there's a picture of a sculpture of hunk there's a picture of a sculpture of germanicus posted along with this week's germanicus posted along with this week's germanicus posted along with this week's episode taken by the history of Rome's episode taken by the history of Rome's episode taken by the history of Rome's Belgian correspondent Justin who Belgian correspondent Justin who Belgian correspondent Justin who recently took a visit to the British recently took a visit to the British recently took a visit to the British Museum and was kind enough to send along Museum and was kind enough to send along Museum and was kind enough to send along an album's worth of pictures which I'm an album's worth of pictures which I'm an album's worth of pictures which I'm sure you'll see pop up now and again as sure you'll see pop up now and again as sure you'll see pop up now and again as we move forward I also want to mention we move forward I also want to mention we move forward I also want to mention that back on the tberg forest episode that back on the tberg forest episode that back on the tberg forest episode there are now some pictures posted of a there are now some pictures posted of a there are now some pictures posted of a reenactment of the battle taken a few reenactment of the battle taken a few reenactment of the battle taken a few years ago by Chief reenactment years ago by Chief reenactment years ago by Chief reenactment correspondent Carolyn who was good correspondent Carolyn who was good correspondent Carolyn who was good enough enough to send them along awesome enough enough to send them along awesome enough enough to send them along awesome stuff so go check it stuff so go check it stuff so go check it out being as popular as he was with the out being as popular as he was with the out being as popular as he was with the men at first the troops tried to men at first the troops tried to men at first the troops tried to convince germanicus to join them that if convince germanicus to join them that if convince germanicus to join them that if he wanted to Cease the throne from he wanted to Cease the throne from he wanted to Cease the throne from tiberias they would be more than happy tiberias they would be more than happy tiberias they would be more than happy to help him but germanicus was indignant

to help him but germanicus was indignant to help him but germanicus was indignant at the very suggestion and promised to at the very suggestion and promised to at the very suggestion and promised to kill himself before joining in their kill himself before joining in their kill himself before joining in their treason Chason the men simply ticked off treason Chason the men simply ticked off treason Chason the men simply ticked off their grievances which again centered their grievances which again centered their grievances which again centered around earlier retirement and more pay around earlier retirement and more pay around earlier retirement and more pay for the soldiers who still owed service for the soldiers who still owed service for the soldiers who still owed service time germanicus unlike drusus went ahead time germanicus unlike drusus went ahead time germanicus unlike drusus went ahead and granted their request unilaterally and granted their request unilaterally and granted their request unilaterally rather than waiting for final word from rather than waiting for final word from rather than waiting for final word from tiberias he left the camps pacified and tiberias he left the camps pacified and tiberias he left the camps pacified and thought that that was the end of it but thought that that was the end of it but thought that that was the end of it but the troops soon learned that a the troops soon learned that a the troops soon learned that a delegation from the Senate was on the delegation from the Senate was on the delegation from the Senate was on the way fearing that the delegation would way fearing that the delegation would way fearing that the delegation would cancel the promises of germanicus the cancel the promises of germanicus the cancel the promises of germanicus the troops again mutinied and when the troops again mutinied and when the troops again mutinied and when the senatorial party arrived the delegates senatorial party arrived the delegates senatorial party arrived the delegates were attacked germanicus hurried back to were attacked germanicus hurried back to were attacked germanicus hurried back to the scene and shamed the men for the scene and shamed the men for the scene and shamed the men for shooting first and asking questions shooting first and asking questions shooting first and asking questions later later later how did they know what the plans of the how did they know what the plans of the how did they know what the plans of the delegation were the men from Rome hadn't delegation were the men from Rome hadn't delegation were the men from Rome hadn't even been given a chance to even been given a chance to even been given a chance to speak having talked them down from the speak having talked them down from the speak having talked them down from the ledge once again germanicus decided it ledge once again germanicus decided it ledge once again germanicus decided it was best to immediately follow through was best to immediately follow through was best to immediately follow through on the promise of dismissal for those on the promise of dismissal for those on the promise of dismissal for those who had served more than 16 years he who had served more than 16 years he who had served more than 16 years he paid them what discharge bonuses he paid them what discharge bonuses he paid them what discharge bonuses he could out of his own pocket and sent could out of his own pocket and sent could out of his own pocket and sent them to Raa for them to Raa for them to Raa for settlement usually a discharged soldiers settlement usually a discharged soldiers settlement usually a discharged soldiers settle in the provinces where they settle in the provinces where they settle in the provinces where they served but germanicus wanted to make served but germanicus wanted to make served but germanicus wanted to make sure that these particular disgruntled sure that these particular disgruntled sure that these particular disgruntled troops were put out of everyone's sight troops were put out of everyone's sight troops were put out of everyone's sight and out of everyone's mind he also went and out of everyone's mind he also went and out of everyone's mind he also went through the ranks of the men one by one through the ranks of the men one by one through the ranks of the men one by one with their officers and expelled with their officers and expelled with their officers and expelled identified troublemakers from the army identified troublemakers from the army identified troublemakers from the army with the men once again pacified with the men once again pacified with the men once again pacified germanicus began to make plans for a germanicus began to make plans for a germanicus began to make plans for a long-term solution to the unrest the

long-term solution to the unrest the long-term solution to the unrest the problem he decided was problem he decided was problem he decided was inactivity when soldiers aren't fighting inactivity when soldiers aren't fighting inactivity when soldiers aren't fighting the officers have to come up with some the officers have to come up with some the officers have to come up with some way to keep them occupied and that way to keep them occupied and that way to keep them occupied and that usually amounted to day after day of usually amounted to day after day of usually amounted to day after day of dull manual labor bored and gruntled dull manual labor bored and gruntled dull manual labor bored and gruntled soldiers become mutinous soldiers very soldiers become mutinous soldiers very soldiers become mutinous soldiers very quickly germanicus resolved to give the quickly germanicus resolved to give the quickly germanicus resolved to give the legions on the rine something to legions on the rine something to legions on the rine something to do back in Rome tiberias did not like do back in Rome tiberias did not like do back in Rome tiberias did not like the reports he was getting from the the reports he was getting from the the reports he was getting from the region the men were trying to declare region the men were trying to declare region the men were trying to declare germanicus emperator and he was doing germanicus emperator and he was doing germanicus emperator and he was doing out concessions that had not been out concessions that had not been out concessions that had not been approved by Rome even with the blatantly approved by Rome even with the blatantly approved by Rome even with the blatantly obvious demonstration of germanicus is obvious demonstration of germanicus is obvious demonstration of germanicus is loyalty to Tiberius a matter of public loyalty to Tiberius a matter of public loyalty to Tiberius a matter of public record Tiberius went to bed at night record Tiberius went to bed at night record Tiberius went to bed at night with visions of a germanicus Le coup with visions of a germanicus Le coup with visions of a germanicus Le coup dancing in his head I guess it was dancing in his head I guess it was dancing in his head I guess it was simply the fact that so many would be simply the fact that so many would be simply the fact that so many would be willing to follow the young General if willing to follow the young General if willing to follow the young General if he decided to do something that kept him he decided to do something that kept him he decided to do something that kept him up at night but despite his misgivings up at night but despite his misgivings up at night but despite his misgivings Tiberius decided to allow germanicus to Tiberius decided to allow germanicus to Tiberius decided to allow germanicus to remain on the Rind who knows maybe he remain on the Rind who knows maybe he remain on the Rind who knows maybe he would fall off his horse and die like would fall off his horse and die like would fall off his horse and die like his father dris before him that would be his father dris before him that would be his father dris before him that would be nice he wouldn't though instead nice he wouldn't though instead nice he wouldn't though instead germanicus would just raise his profile germanicus would just raise his profile germanicus would just raise his profile even more much to tiber's even more much to tiber's even more much to tiber's shrin in 15 ad a year which saw Tiberius shrin in 15 ad a year which saw Tiberius shrin in 15 ad a year which saw Tiberius son drusus taking over the consul ship son drusus taking over the consul ship son drusus taking over the consul ship and fatefully Lucius sanus taking over and fatefully Lucius sanus taking over and fatefully Lucius sanus taking over his petorian prefect germanicus decided his petorian prefect germanicus decided his petorian prefect germanicus decided to do something about the inactivity of to do something about the inactivity of to do something about the inactivity of the legions on the rine their boredom the legions on the rine their boredom the legions on the rine their boredom had led to Mutiny so germanicus decided had led to Mutiny so germanicus decided had led to Mutiny so germanicus decided to stimulate them when the spring came to stimulate them when the spring came to stimulate them when the spring came he ordered his men across the river on a

he ordered his men across the river on a he ordered his men across the river on a raiding raiding raiding Expedition one of the things that had Expedition one of the things that had Expedition one of the things that had triggered the previous year's Mutiny was triggered the previous year's Mutiny was triggered the previous year's Mutiny was the perception that they would be denied the perception that they would be denied the perception that they would be denied bonuses promised to them by Augustus now bonuses promised to them by Augustus now bonuses promised to them by Augustus now that the old princeps was dead so that the old princeps was dead so that the old princeps was dead so germanicus told them that any plunder germanicus told them that any plunder germanicus told them that any plunder taken during that season's campaign taken during that season's campaign taken during that season's campaign would be their would be their would be their bonuses there wasn't much in the way of bonuses there wasn't much in the way of bonuses there wasn't much in the way of long-term strategic aims when it came to long-term strategic aims when it came to long-term strategic aims when it came to germanicus Expeditions across the Ry the germanicus Expeditions across the Ry the germanicus Expeditions across the Ry the point was for the Romans to continue point was for the Romans to continue point was for the Romans to continue revenging themselves on the Germans for revenging themselves on the Germans for revenging themselves on the Germans for the massacre in the tberg forest while the massacre in the tberg forest while the massacre in the tberg forest while seizing as much treasure and as many seizing as much treasure and as many seizing as much treasure and as many slaves as they could not exactly the slaves as they could not exactly the slaves as they could not exactly the most high-minded of am but germanicus most high-minded of am but germanicus most high-minded of am but germanicus would still emerge from The Invasion would still emerge from The Invasion would still emerge from The Invasion more famous and more loved in Rome than more famous and more loved in Rome than more famous and more loved in Rome than ever ever ever one of the keys to his lasting Fame was one of the keys to his lasting Fame was one of the keys to his lasting Fame was the fact that the young General seemed the fact that the young General seemed the fact that the young General seemed to put the horror of the tberg behind to put the horror of the tberg behind to put the horror of the tberg behind Rome forever just as skipio had once put Rome forever just as skipio had once put Rome forever just as skipio had once put cany behind them by finally defeating cany behind them by finally defeating cany behind them by finally defeating Hannibal in fact when it came to Hannibal in fact when it came to Hannibal in fact when it came to germanicus comparisons to skipio and germanicus comparisons to skipio and germanicus comparisons to skipio and even Alexander the Great came early and even Alexander the Great came early and even Alexander the Great came early and often germanicus did not conclusively often germanicus did not conclusively often germanicus did not conclusively defeat the Germans but he did defeat the Germans but he did defeat the Germans but he did demonstrate that the disaster in the demonstrate that the disaster in the demonstrate that the disaster in the tberg forest was an tberg forest was an tberg forest was an aberration whenever you get beaten like aberration whenever you get beaten like aberration whenever you get beaten like that you can't help but wonder if it's that you can't help but wonder if it's that you can't help but wonder if it's the beginning of the end if all the good the beginning of the end if all the good the beginning of the end if all the good times are in the past and that now maybe times are in the past and that now maybe times are in the past and that now maybe you can't keep up anymore the Romans had you can't keep up anymore the Romans had you can't keep up anymore the Romans had to wonder if they were still the to wonder if they were still the to wonder if they were still the Invincible Force they told themselves Invincible Force they told themselves Invincible Force they told themselves they were or whether those days were now they were or whether those days were now they were or whether those days were now in the rearview mirror they had after in the rearview mirror they had after in the rearview mirror they had after all spent the last few years only all spent the last few years only all spent the last few years only fighting each other not really thinking

fighting each other not really thinking fighting each other not really thinking about what was going on in the greater about what was going on in the greater about what was going on in the greater world but germanicus is incursions into world but germanicus is incursions into world but germanicus is incursions into Germany while not universally successful Germany while not universally successful Germany while not universally successful nonetheless showed that Rome could still nonetheless showed that Rome could still nonetheless showed that Rome could still hold its own on the battlefield against hold its own on the battlefield against hold its own on the battlefield against foreign enemies and as much as that one foreign enemies and as much as that one foreign enemies and as much as that one battle came to define the Roman battle came to define the Roman battle came to define the Roman abandonment of Germania more precisely abandonment of Germania more precisely abandonment of Germania more precisely it was tiberious deciding to shudder it was tiberious deciding to shudder it was tiberious deciding to shudder germanicus campaigns that really sealed germanicus campaigns that really sealed germanicus campaigns that really sealed the deal and even that was much more the deal and even that was much more the deal and even that was much more about personal rivalry than it was about about personal rivalry than it was about about personal rivalry than it was about policy at the time Germania was policy at the time Germania was policy at the time Germania was politically divided into Coastal tribes politically divided into Coastal tribes politically divided into Coastal tribes who were friendly to Rome the powerful who were friendly to Rome the powerful who were friendly to Rome the powerful tribes in Bohemia who remain neutral and tribes in Bohemia who remain neutral and tribes in Bohemia who remain neutral and the fiercely anti-roman Confederation the fiercely anti-roman Confederation the fiercely anti-roman Confederation forged by minus in the central part of forged by minus in the central part of forged by minus in the central part of the the the country germanicus crossed into Germania country germanicus crossed into Germania country germanicus crossed into Germania in the spring of 15 with upwards of in the spring of 15 with upwards of in the spring of 15 with upwards of 100,000 men and made straight for 100,000 men and made straight for 100,000 men and made straight for arminius Revenge was on everyone's mind arminius Revenge was on everyone's mind arminius Revenge was on everyone's mind germanicus was able to easily cut germanicus was able to easily cut germanicus was able to easily cut through the Defense Forces sent to stop through the Defense Forces sent to stop through the Defense Forces sent to stop him and at one point even captured him and at one point even captured him and at one point even captured arminius his wife but the chief himself arminius his wife but the chief himself arminius his wife but the chief himself and the bulk of the German Army remained and the bulk of the German Army remained and the bulk of the German Army remained elusive germanicus followed this with a elusive germanicus followed this with a elusive germanicus followed this with a key Victory on the AMS River but no key Victory on the AMS River but no key Victory on the AMS River but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't matter how hard he tried he couldn't matter how hard he tried he couldn't been Armenian and the Germans down when been Armenian and the Germans down when been Armenian and the Germans down when battles started to go against them they battles started to go against them they battles started to go against them they simply disappeared into the forest simply disappeared into the forest simply disappeared into the forest living to fight another living to fight another living to fight another day by avoiding defeat armenius was able day by avoiding defeat armenius was able day by avoiding defeat armenius was able to Rally more tribes to drive off the to Rally more tribes to drive off the to Rally more tribes to drive off the Invaders and the campaign began to look Invaders and the campaign began to look Invaders and the campaign began to look more evenly matched with the Germans now more evenly matched with the Germans now more evenly matched with the Germans now offering much stiffer offering much stiffer offering much stiffer resistance before the year was out

resistance before the year was out resistance before the year was out though germanicus was able to accomplish though germanicus was able to accomplish though germanicus was able to accomplish at least one of the goals he had set for at least one of the goals he had set for at least one of the goals he had set for himself following the lead of survivors himself following the lead of survivors himself following the lead of survivors from the battle germanicus Army made from the battle germanicus Army made from the battle germanicus Army made their way to the of the tberg massacre their way to the of the tberg massacre their way to the of the tberg massacre what they found was the chilling what they found was the chilling what they found was the chilling leftover of a Slaughter bones and debris leftover of a Slaughter bones and debris leftover of a Slaughter bones and debris still lay strewn and unburied heads had still lay strewn and unburied heads had still lay strewn and unburied heads had been chopped off and nailed to trees the been chopped off and nailed to trees the been chopped off and nailed to trees the evidence of the religious sacrifices the evidence of the religious sacrifices the evidence of the religious sacrifices the Germans had turned captured officers Germans had turned captured officers Germans had turned captured officers into also remained and the survivors who into also remained and the survivors who into also remained and the survivors who were present attested to the roasting were present attested to the roasting were present attested to the roasting alive of alive of alive of prisoners germanicus ordered the remains prisoners germanicus ordered the remains prisoners germanicus ordered the remains buried and a funeral Mound built to buried and a funeral Mound built to buried and a funeral Mound built to honor the dead this solemn Duty honor the dead this solemn Duty honor the dead this solemn Duty performed germanicus pointed his army performed germanicus pointed his army performed germanicus pointed his army once again toward arminius and once again toward arminius and once again toward arminius and attacked but the German leader was able attacked but the German leader was able attacked but the German leader was able to lure his Roman foes into a trap he to lure his Roman foes into a trap he to lure his Roman foes into a trap he led them into a swampy area and left the led them into a swampy area and left the led them into a swampy area and left the Romans with nothing but a thin strip of Romans with nothing but a thin strip of Romans with nothing but a thin strip of dry land to work with but despite the dry land to work with but despite the dry land to work with but despite the terrible terrain the legions were able terrible terrain the legions were able terrible terrain the legions were able to fortify a defensive to fortify a defensive to fortify a defensive position against his better judgment position against his better judgment position against his better judgment armenius decided to follow the advice of armenius decided to follow the advice of armenius decided to follow the advice of his more aggressive uncle and ordered an his more aggressive uncle and ordered an his more aggressive uncle and ordered an assault on the Roman assault on the Roman assault on the Roman position though the Romans would always position though the Romans would always position though the Romans would always struggle against the elements in struggle against the elements in struggle against the elements in Germania when they were behind a wall Germania when they were behind a wall Germania when they were behind a wall and dealing with a frontal assault well and dealing with a frontal assault well and dealing with a frontal assault well they had been there before so instead of they had been there before so instead of they had been there before so instead of annihilating a second Roman army and annihilating a second Roman army and annihilating a second Roman army and probably making himself as famous as probably making himself as famous as probably making himself as famous as Hannibal to boot armenius was forced to Hannibal to boot armenius was forced to Hannibal to boot armenius was forced to retreat after suffering massive retreat after suffering massive retreat after suffering massive casualties germanicus LED his men out of casualties germanicus LED his men out of casualties germanicus LED his men out of the swamp and back across the Rind for the swamp and back across the Rind for the swamp and back across the Rind for the

the the winter the next year saw germanicus only winter the next year saw germanicus only winter the next year saw germanicus only more determined than ever to crush more determined than ever to crush more determined than ever to crush arminius the Romans tracked the German arminius the Romans tracked the German arminius the Romans tracked the German leader to the vesser river and in leader to the vesser river and in leader to the vesser river and in initial battle erupted when the Romans initial battle erupted when the Romans initial battle erupted when the Romans attempted to cross arminius swooped in attempted to cross arminius swooped in attempted to cross arminius swooped in and tried to prevent The Crossing but and tried to prevent The Crossing but and tried to prevent The Crossing but his men were unable to hold the Roman his men were unable to hold the Roman his men were unable to hold the Roman tide back though heavy casualties did tide back though heavy casualties did tide back though heavy casualties did Force germanicus to withdraw further up Force germanicus to withdraw further up Force germanicus to withdraw further up the river once he was on the far side the river once he was on the far side the river once he was on the far side the Germans pursued and a second battle the Germans pursued and a second battle the Germans pursued and a second battle broke out in this encounter arminius was broke out in this encounter arminius was broke out in this encounter arminius was injured but he managed to escape injured but he managed to escape injured but he managed to escape uncaptured the final confrontation took uncaptured the final confrontation took uncaptured the final confrontation took place further Downstream past the sight place further Downstream past the sight place further Downstream past the sight of the original Crossing justce has of the original Crossing justce has of the original Crossing justce has occurred at the end of the last year the occurred at the end of the last year the occurred at the end of the last year the Romans were able to inflict serious Romans were able to inflict serious Romans were able to inflict serious damage on the German Army but when damage on the German Army but when damage on the German Army but when things got bad enough Armenia simply things got bad enough Armenia simply things got bad enough Armenia simply ordered his men to melt back into the ordered his men to melt back into the ordered his men to melt back into the forest germanicus had to leave it there forest germanicus had to leave it there forest germanicus had to leave it there for the year the weather was turning and for the year the weather was turning and for the year the weather was turning and he had to get his men back to the safety he had to get his men back to the safety he had to get his men back to the safety of of of Gaul the return trip though proved to be Gaul the return trip though proved to be Gaul the return trip though proved to be almost as dangerous as facing the almost as dangerous as facing the almost as dangerous as facing the Germans germanicus decided that the Germans germanicus decided that the Germans germanicus decided that the quickest route would be to F his men quickest route would be to F his men quickest route would be to F his men down river and sail around a Gul by way down river and sail around a Gul by way down river and sail around a Gul by way of the North Sea preferring it to of the North Sea preferring it to of the North Sea preferring it to slogging through the Marshland back to slogging through the Marshland back to slogging through the Marshland back to G but a storm kicked up as the fleet hit G but a storm kicked up as the fleet hit G but a storm kicked up as the fleet hit the Open Water and drove them against the Open Water and drove them against the Open Water and drove them against the Rocks but rather than this debacle the Rocks but rather than this debacle the Rocks but rather than this debacle tarnishing His Image the incident tarnishing His Image the incident tarnishing His Image the incident actually served to boost janus's actually served to boost janus's actually served to boost janus's popularity even more as stories of the popularity even more as stories of the popularity even more as stories of the young General risking his life to drag young General risking his life to drag young General risking his life to drag survivors of the shipwrecks ashore survivors of the shipwrecks ashore survivors of the shipwrecks ashore filtered down to filtered down to filtered down to Rome tiberias settling into his first

Rome tiberias settling into his first Rome tiberias settling into his first years as Emperor watched all of this years as Emperor watched all of this years as Emperor watched all of this with a combination of anger and fear he with a combination of anger and fear he with a combination of anger and fear he had had every intention of keeping had had every intention of keeping had had every intention of keeping permanently on the West Bank of the Rind permanently on the West Bank of the Rind permanently on the West Bank of the Rind and here was germanicus flagrantly and here was germanicus flagrantly and here was germanicus flagrantly invading Germania season after season invading Germania season after season invading Germania season after season but not only did the young man's but not only did the young man's but not only did the young man's incursions rubb tiberious the wrong way incursions rubb tiberious the wrong way incursions rubb tiberious the wrong way policy-wise it also rubbed him the wrong policy-wise it also rubbed him the wrong policy-wise it also rubbed him the wrong way way way personally never socially at ease or a personally never socially at ease or a personally never socially at ease or a particularly popular man tiberious particularly popular man tiberious particularly popular man tiberious chafed as the people cheered for chafed as the people cheered for chafed as the people cheered for germanicus it wouldn't do to Simply germanicus it wouldn't do to Simply germanicus it wouldn't do to Simply cancel the invasions because after all cancel the invasions because after all cancel the invasions because after all germanicus victories ultimately germanicus victories ultimately germanicus victories ultimately reflected well on the Imperial regime reflected well on the Imperial regime reflected well on the Imperial regime but if this went on much longer would but if this went on much longer would but if this went on much longer would the people call for the da tiberias to the people call for the da tiberias to the people call for the da tiberias to be replaced by the bright and chipper be replaced by the bright and chipper be replaced by the bright and chipper germanicus the troops along the rine had germanicus the troops along the rine had germanicus the troops along the rine had already tried it once after all always already tried it once after all always already tried it once after all always slightly paranoid and carrying a mighty slightly paranoid and carrying a mighty slightly paranoid and carrying a mighty chip on his shoulder Tiberius didn't chip on his shoulder Tiberius didn't chip on his shoulder Tiberius didn't like where any of this was headed so he like where any of this was headed so he like where any of this was headed so he decided to use the occasion of decided to use the occasion of decided to use the occasion of germanicus success on the far side of germanicus success on the far side of germanicus success on the far side of the Rind to promote his adopted son the Rind to promote his adopted son the Rind to promote his adopted son hopefully promote him high enough that hopefully promote him high enough that hopefully promote him high enough that he could be kept out of trouble be he could be kept out of trouble be he could be kept out of trouble be watched and perhaps disposed watched and perhaps disposed watched and perhaps disposed of so germanicus was recalled to Rome of so germanicus was recalled to Rome of so germanicus was recalled to Rome when he entered the city Tiberius when he entered the city Tiberius when he entered the city Tiberius awarded him the first Triumph the city awarded him the first Triumph the city awarded him the first Triumph the city had seen in almost 40 years Augustus had had seen in almost 40 years Augustus had had seen in almost 40 years Augustus had basically done away with the basically done away with the basically done away with the practice displayed along with his other practice displayed along with his other practice displayed along with his other spoils were two prizes that caused the spoils were two prizes that caused the spoils were two prizes that caused the people to shower even more love on people to shower even more love on people to shower even more love on germanicus two of the three legionary germanicus two of the three legionary germanicus two of the three legionary standards lost by vars had been found in

standards lost by vars had been found in standards lost by vars had been found in retaken during the previous year's retaken during the previous year's retaken during the previous year's campaigns but once his day in the sun campaigns but once his day in the sun campaigns but once his day in the sun came to an end germanicus was dismayed came to an end germanicus was dismayed came to an end germanicus was dismayed to learn that he would not be headed to learn that he would not be headed to learn that he would not be headed back to the rine instead Tiberius told back to the rine instead Tiberius told back to the rine instead Tiberius told him he would be given at llarge him he would be given at llarge him he would be given at llarge proconsular authority over the Eastern proconsular authority over the Eastern proconsular authority over the Eastern provinces after all germanicus was provinces after all germanicus was provinces after all germanicus was destined to succeed him it wouldn't do destined to succeed him it wouldn't do destined to succeed him it wouldn't do to have him risking his life fighting to have him risking his life fighting to have him risking his life fighting Savages no it was time to grow more Savages no it was time to grow more Savages no it was time to grow more acquainted with the routine of Empire it acquainted with the routine of Empire it acquainted with the routine of Empire it wasn't as glamorous but it was more wasn't as glamorous but it was more wasn't as glamorous but it was more important reluctantly germanicus important reluctantly germanicus important reluctantly germanicus accepted the promotion and packed his accepted the promotion and packed his accepted the promotion and packed his wife agripina and their children in wife agripina and their children in wife agripina and their children in including young gas the future Infamous including young gas the future Infamous including young gas the future Infamous Emperor Caligula and their daughter Emperor Caligula and their daughter Emperor Caligula and their daughter agripina the younger who would one day agripina the younger who would one day agripina the younger who would one day be the wife of Claudius and the mother be the wife of Claudius and the mother be the wife of Claudius and the mother of of of Nero but tiberias had no intention of Nero but tiberias had no intention of Nero but tiberias had no intention of letting germanicus have his way with letting germanicus have his way with letting germanicus have his way with things in the East the point of the things in the East the point of the things in the East the point of the promotion was to marginalize germanicus promotion was to marginalize germanicus promotion was to marginalize germanicus not you know actually promote him so not you know actually promote him so not you know actually promote him so tiberias appointed a close confident tiberias appointed a close confident tiberias appointed a close confident named Nas calpernius piso to the named Nas calpernius piso to the named Nas calpernius piso to the governorship of Syria well all we have governorship of Syria well all we have governorship of Syria well all we have to go on a supposition and accusations to go on a supposition and accusations to go on a supposition and accusations the word on the street is that piso at a the word on the street is that piso at a the word on the street is that piso at a minimum was appointed specifically to minimum was appointed specifically to minimum was appointed specifically to sty any initiatives embarked upon by sty any initiatives embarked upon by sty any initiatives embarked upon by germanicus and at a maximum piso was germanicus and at a maximum piso was germanicus and at a maximum piso was said to have engineered at Tiberius said to have engineered at Tiberius said to have engineered at Tiberius order the young era parents order the young era parents order the young era parents death from 17 to 19 ad germanicus lived death from 17 to 19 ad germanicus lived death from 17 to 19 ad germanicus lived and worked in the East settling local and worked in the East settling local and worked in the East settling local disputes doing out Justice and doing

disputes doing out Justice and doing disputes doing out Justice and doing some good old-fashioned sightseeing some good old-fashioned sightseeing some good old-fashioned sightseeing including taking in the ruins of Troy including taking in the ruins of Troy including taking in the ruins of Troy along on the way he clashed time and along on the way he clashed time and along on the way he clashed time and again with piso who seemed determined to again with piso who seemed determined to again with piso who seemed determined to undermine him at every turn almost as if undermine him at every turn almost as if undermine him at every turn almost as if that was the whole reason he had been that was the whole reason he had been that was the whole reason he had been appointed Governor germanicus would appointed Governor germanicus would appointed Governor germanicus would order piso to send troops to Armenia and order piso to send troops to Armenia and order piso to send troops to Armenia and piso would refuse he would make staff piso would refuse he would make staff piso would refuse he would make staff appointments in the Army and find them appointments in the Army and find them appointments in the Army and find them canceled by piso after his faithful trip canceled by piso after his faithful trip canceled by piso after his faithful trip to Egypt which I'll get to in a second to Egypt which I'll get to in a second to Egypt which I'll get to in a second germanicus returned to Antioch and germanicus returned to Antioch and germanicus returned to Antioch and discovered that piso had been busy discovered that piso had been busy discovered that piso had been busy undoing every decision he had ever made undoing every decision he had ever made undoing every decision he had ever made about provincial Administration about provincial Administration about provincial Administration there was no love lost between the two there was no love lost between the two there was no love lost between the two and anytime they were in the same room and anytime they were in the same room and anytime they were in the same room the air was chilly and the threats were the air was chilly and the threats were the air was chilly and the threats were veiled until the trip to Egypt though veiled until the trip to Egypt though veiled until the trip to Egypt though there was no indication that piso or there was no indication that piso or there was no indication that piso or tiberias had anything more Sinister in tiberias had anything more Sinister in tiberias had anything more Sinister in mind than making germanicus is life mind than making germanicus is life mind than making germanicus is life miserable but when word got back to miserable but when word got back to miserable but when word got back to tiberias that germanicus was in Egypt tiberias that germanicus was in Egypt tiberias that germanicus was in Egypt the emperor's attitude seems to have the emperor's attitude seems to have the emperor's attitude seems to have taken a murderous taken a murderous taken a murderous turn the thing about Egypt was that it turn the thing about Egypt was that it turn the thing about Egypt was that it was probably the most important province was probably the most important province was probably the most important province in the whole empire its wealth in the whole empire its wealth in the whole empire its wealth bankrolled the Imperial regime and its bankrolled the Imperial regime and its bankrolled the Imperial regime and its ample grain supplies fed the people of ample grain supplies fed the people of ample grain supplies fed the people of Rome from the moment he seized the Rome from the moment he seized the Rome from the moment he seized the country from Anthony and Cleopatra country from Anthony and Cleopatra country from Anthony and Cleopatra Augustus knew that Egypt was the key to Augustus knew that Egypt was the key to Augustus knew that Egypt was the key to the whole game as long as the province the whole game as long as the province the whole game as long as the province was administered personally by the was administered personally by the was administered personally by the emperor no ambitious rival could touch emperor no ambitious rival could touch emperor no ambitious rival could touch the the the regime so Augustus had declared Egypt to regime so Augustus had declared Egypt to regime so Augustus had declared Egypt to be the personal property of the emperor

be the personal property of the emperor be the personal property of the emperor any Roman of rank who wished to enter any Roman of rank who wished to enter any Roman of rank who wished to enter the territory had to receive Reed the the territory had to receive Reed the the territory had to receive Reed the express written consent of the emperor express written consent of the emperor express written consent of the emperor before doing so but germanicus had before doing so but germanicus had before doing so but germanicus had ignored this protocol and simply headed ignored this protocol and simply headed ignored this protocol and simply headed on down offended and threatened by his on down offended and threatened by his on down offended and threatened by his nephews son's action tiberious likely nephews son's action tiberious likely nephews son's action tiberious likely got word to piso that enough was got word to piso that enough was got word to piso that enough was enough in 19 ad shortly after returning enough in 19 ad shortly after returning enough in 19 ad shortly after returning to Antioch germanicus felt ill because to Antioch germanicus felt ill because to Antioch germanicus felt ill because of the previous run-ins with piso poison of the previous run-ins with piso poison of the previous run-ins with piso poison was immediately suspected there was was immediately suspected there was was immediately suspected there was certainly no doubt in the mind of certainly no doubt in the mind of certainly no doubt in the mind of germanicus and agripino that he was germanicus and agripino that he was germanicus and agripino that he was being poisoned anyway reports also come being poisoned anyway reports also come being poisoned anyway reports also come down to us of strange objects being down to us of strange objects being down to us of strange objects being discovered in the family's house human discovered in the family's house human discovered in the family's house human remains tablets with germanicus name remains tablets with germanicus name remains tablets with germanicus name crossed out piles of Ash all of it led crossed out piles of Ash all of it led crossed out piles of Ash all of it led the family to believe that some sort of the family to believe that some sort of the family to believe that some sort of black magic was at play as well despite black magic was at play as well despite black magic was at play as well despite his lifetime record of good health his lifetime record of good health his lifetime record of good health germanicus just kept getting worse germanicus just kept getting worse germanicus just kept getting worse finally after telling agripina for her finally after telling agripina for her finally after telling agripina for her sake and the children's not to risk sake and the children's not to risk sake and the children's not to risk pursuing Justice and to beware of Ty IUS pursuing Justice and to beware of Ty IUS pursuing Justice and to beware of Ty IUS germanicus died he was only 34 years germanicus died he was only 34 years germanicus died he was only 34 years old his body was cremated in Antioch and old his body was cremated in Antioch and old his body was cremated in Antioch and agripina bore his ashes back to Rome agripina bore his ashes back to Rome agripina bore his ashes back to Rome where the entire country went into where the entire country went into where the entire country went into mourning never heeding her dead mourning never heeding her dead mourning never heeding her dead husband's advice agripinaa made no husband's advice agripinaa made no husband's advice agripinaa made no secret that she thought piso was behind secret that she thought piso was behind secret that she thought piso was behind her husband's death or that she thought her husband's death or that she thought her husband's death or that she thought Tiberius was behind Tiberius was behind Tiberius was behind piso whether or not tiberious really piso whether or not tiberious really piso whether or not tiberious really ordered piso to assassinate germanicus

ordered piso to assassinate germanicus ordered piso to assassinate germanicus the charges were now out there in the the charges were now out there in the the charges were now out there in the open and the emperor had to something open and the emperor had to something open and the emperor had to something about it Tiberius of course denied all about it Tiberius of course denied all about it Tiberius of course denied all involvement and when agripina and involvement and when agripina and involvement and when agripina and germanicus Old Friends formerly germanicus Old Friends formerly germanicus Old Friends formerly requested that charges be brought requested that charges be brought requested that charges be brought against piso the emperor had no choice against piso the emperor had no choice against piso the emperor had no choice but to Grant the request if he wasn't but to Grant the request if he wasn't but to Grant the request if he wasn't involved he had no reason to stand in involved he had no reason to stand in involved he had no reason to stand in the way of Justice even if he himself the way of Justice even if he himself the way of Justice even if he himself argued that the charges against piso argued that the charges against piso argued that the charges against piso were were were Preposterous returning to Rome the exg Preposterous returning to Rome the exg Preposterous returning to Rome the exg governor of Syria faced the Senate governor of Syria faced the Senate governor of Syria faced the Senate defiant and refusing to accept blame for defiant and refusing to accept blame for defiant and refusing to accept blame for what he termed nothing more than a sad what he termed nothing more than a sad what he termed nothing more than a sad twist of twist of twist of fate the Senate though was Ill disposed fate the Senate though was Ill disposed fate the Senate though was Ill disposed toward piso and heard more than enough toward piso and heard more than enough toward piso and heard more than enough testimony to convince him that something testimony to convince him that something testimony to convince him that something fishy had gone on when tiberious refused fishy had gone on when tiberious refused fishy had gone on when tiberious refused to use his Imperial prerogative to get to use his Imperial prerogative to get to use his Imperial prerogative to get piso off the hook the accused committed piso off the hook the accused committed piso off the hook the accused committed suicide either that or he was killed by suicide either that or he was killed by suicide either that or he was killed by tyberius because the emperor was afraid tyberius because the emperor was afraid tyberius because the emperor was afraid that a cornered piso might just spill that a cornered piso might just spill that a cornered piso might just spill his his his guts whatever tiberias is actual role in guts whatever tiberias is actual role in guts whatever tiberias is actual role in the death of germanicus agren's version the death of germanicus agren's version the death of germanicus agren's version of a event was widely believed of a event was widely believed of a event was widely believed thereafter the emperor had murdered his thereafter the emperor had murdered his thereafter the emperor had murdered his adopted son because he was jealous of adopted son because he was jealous of adopted son because he was jealous of the young man and was afraid of his the young man and was afraid of his the young man and was afraid of his Growing Power this would be the Growing Power this would be the Growing Power this would be the beginning of a Chasm that would open up beginning of a Chasm that would open up beginning of a Chasm that would open up between the people of Rome and their between the people of Rome and their between the people of Rome and their Emperor they came to hate him and in Emperor they came to hate him and in Emperor they came to hate him and in time he came to hate them too for a time he came to hate them too for a time he came to hate them too for a while tiberious remained fully engaged while tiberious remained fully engaged while tiberious remained fully engaged in Imperial Administration and was a in Imperial Administration and was a in Imperial Administration and was a mostly effective ruler despite his poor mostly effective ruler despite his poor mostly effective ruler despite his poor standing with the standing with the standing with the people next week though tiberias will go

people next week though tiberias will go people next week though tiberias will go off the deep end and wind up abandoning off the deep end and wind up abandoning off the deep end and wind up abandoning Rome completely literally leaving Rome Rome completely literally leaving Rome Rome completely literally leaving Rome forever never to return hated by the forever never to return hated by the forever never to return hated by the people smothered by his mother and people smothered by his mother and people smothered by his mother and grieving the sudden death of his son grieving the sudden death of his son grieving the sudden death of his son drusus tiberias will withdraw from drusus tiberias will withdraw from drusus tiberias will withdraw from public life and leave the day-to-day public life and leave the day-to-day public life and leave the day-to-day operation of Rome to his trusty operation of Rome to his trusty operation of Rome to his trusty Lieutenant sanus an ironic Choice as it Lieutenant sanus an ironic Choice as it Lieutenant sanus an ironic Choice as it was sanus who had murdered drusus in the was sanus who had murdered drusus in the was sanus who had murdered drusus in the first place first place first place [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 58 partner of my episode 58 partner of my episode 58 partner of my labors last week we followed the aborted labors last week we followed the aborted labors last week we followed the aborted career of germanicus who died under career of germanicus who died under career of germanicus who died under mysterious circumstances in 19 ad mysterious circumstances in 19 ad mysterious circumstances in 19 ad whether the charges were true or not whether the charges were true or not whether the charges were true or not Tiberius was widely believed to have Tiberius was widely believed to have Tiberius was widely believed to have played a role in the death of the played a role in the death of the played a role in the death of the popular Young Prince and the emperor's popular Young Prince and the emperor's popular Young Prince and the emperor's popularity with the people people popularity with the people people popularity with the people people suffered as a result never personable to suffered as a result never personable to suffered as a result never personable to begin with tiberias did not enjoy the begin with tiberias did not enjoy the begin with tiberias did not enjoy the kind of respect Augustus had garnered so kind of respect Augustus had garnered so kind of respect Augustus had garnered so naturally with the death of germanicus naturally with the death of germanicus naturally with the death of germanicus the distance between the emperor and his the distance between the emperor and his the distance between the emperor and his people only widened but even still people only widened but even still people only widened but even still through these early years tiberias was a through these early years tiberias was a through these early years tiberias was a prudent and dedicated ruler he had taken prudent and dedicated ruler he had taken prudent and dedicated ruler he had taken to Heart augustus's injunction not to to Heart augustus's injunction not to to Heart augustus's injunction not to embroil the Empire in Foreign Wars and embroil the Empire in Foreign Wars and embroil the Empire in Foreign Wars and did his best to resolve border disputes did his best to resolve border disputes did his best to resolve border disputes peacefully without resorting to the kind peacefully without resorting to the kind peacefully without resorting to the kind of military adventurism that Germanic

of military adventurism that Germanic of military adventurism that Germanic pursued with such Zeal the money saved pursued with such Zeal the money saved pursued with such Zeal the money saved by not having to keep up active by not having to keep up active by not having to keep up active campaigns on numerous fronts was spent campaigns on numerous fronts was spent campaigns on numerous fronts was spent elsewhere improving the infastructure of elsewhere improving the infastructure of elsewhere improving the infastructure of the Empire and the efficiency of its the Empire and the efficiency of its the Empire and the efficiency of its governing governing governing apparatus but that does not mean that apparatus but that does not mean that apparatus but that does not mean that tyberius enjoyed his work if you believe tyberius enjoyed his work if you believe tyberius enjoyed his work if you believe some sources tyberius never wanted to some sources tyberius never wanted to some sources tyberius never wanted to become emperor to begin with and had become emperor to begin with and had become emperor to begin with and had been pushed into becoming princeps by been pushed into becoming princeps by been pushed into becoming princeps by his mother Livia who was living her his mother Livia who was living her his mother Livia who was living her ambition through her son if on the other ambition through her son if on the other ambition through her son if on the other hand he actually did seek to become hand he actually did seek to become hand he actually did seek to become emperor then it's clear he quickly emperor then it's clear he quickly emperor then it's clear he quickly became disenchanted with the prize he became disenchanted with the prize he became disenchanted with the prize he had sought I personally get the feeling had sought I personally get the feeling had sought I personally get the feeling that tiberias would have been content to that tiberias would have been content to that tiberias would have been content to Simply command a few Legions by day and Simply command a few Legions by day and Simply command a few Legions by day and read Greek literature in his tent by read Greek literature in his tent by read Greek literature in his tent by night but despite his own personal night but despite his own personal night but despite his own personal unhappiness a sense of honor and Duty unhappiness a sense of honor and Duty unhappiness a sense of honor and Duty seems to have kept tiberious functioning seems to have kept tiberious functioning seems to have kept tiberious functioning as a thoughtful ruler for a few years as a thoughtful ruler for a few years as a thoughtful ruler for a few years even after the people really turned on even after the people really turned on even after the people really turned on him following the death assassination of him following the death assassination of him following the death assassination of germanicus but the underlying misery of germanicus but the underlying misery of germanicus but the underlying misery of Tiberius would eventually overtake him Tiberius would eventually overtake him Tiberius would eventually overtake him and turn him into the paranoid debauched and turn him into the paranoid debauched and turn him into the paranoid debauched and cruel Emperor we all know and love and cruel Emperor we all know and love and cruel Emperor we all know and love today tiberias was only able to hold off today tiberias was only able to hold off today tiberias was only able to hold off his demons for so long and after the his demons for so long and after the his demons for so long and after the death of his son drusus in 23 ad which death of his son drusus in 23 ad which death of his son drusus in 23 ad which we'll get to in a moment tiberious seems we'll get to in a moment tiberious seems we'll get to in a moment tiberious seems to have allowed them free reign over his to have allowed them free reign over his to have allowed them free reign over his psyche stoking the gloomy fires in psyche stoking the gloomy fires in psyche stoking the gloomy fires in Tiberius his heart was a man of great Tiberius his heart was a man of great Tiberius his heart was a man of great personal ambition who saw Tiberius is personal ambition who saw Tiberius is personal ambition who saw Tiberius is growing paranoia as an opportunity for growing paranoia as an opportunity for growing paranoia as an opportunity for advancement the prefect of the petorian advancement the prefect of the petorian advancement the prefect of the petorian Guard Lucius sanus

Guard Lucius sanus Guard Lucius sanus before we get too far into the drama of before we get too far into the drama of before we get too far into the drama of the 20 ads though we should probably the 20 ads though we should probably the 20 ads though we should probably take a moment to understand what the take a moment to understand what the take a moment to understand what the petorian guard was at this point and how petorian guard was at this point and how petorian guard was at this point and how sanus was able to leverage his role as sanus was able to leverage his role as sanus was able to leverage his role as their Captain into a position of power their Captain into a position of power their Captain into a position of power that for a few years probably exceeded that for a few years probably exceeded that for a few years probably exceeded that of Tiberius that of Tiberius that of Tiberius himself I mentioned the pretorians thus himself I mentioned the pretorians thus himself I mentioned the pretorians thus far only in passing but as they will far only in passing but as they will far only in passing but as they will play a key role in practically every play a key role in practically every play a key role in practically every important episode for the next few important episode for the next few important episode for the next few centuries they are worth taking the time centuries they are worth taking the time centuries they are worth taking the time to understand the guard had existed in to understand the guard had existed in to understand the guard had existed in various in Nations going back to the various in Nations going back to the various in Nations going back to the 200s BC and was generally understood to 200s BC and was generally understood to 200s BC and was generally understood to be little more than an elite cohort of be little more than an elite cohort of be little more than an elite cohort of soldiers who served his bodyguards for a soldiers who served his bodyguards for a soldiers who served his bodyguards for a general the name petoran is derived from general the name petoran is derived from general the name petoran is derived from the Latin word pretorium which was the the Latin word pretorium which was the the Latin word pretorium which was the name for the General's tent within a name for the General's tent within a name for the General's tent within a legionary camp around which these elite legionary camp around which these elite legionary camp around which these elite soldiers would be stationed during the soldiers would be stationed during the soldiers would be stationed during the Civil Wars the major figures involved Civil Wars the major figures involved Civil Wars the major figures involved all had cohorts of petorian guards all had cohorts of petorian guards all had cohorts of petorian guards serving them but it wasn't until serving them but it wasn't until serving them but it wasn't until Octavian emerged triumphant that a Octavian emerged triumphant that a Octavian emerged triumphant that a single quote pretorian guard emerged as single quote pretorian guard emerged as single quote pretorian guard emerged as a formal institution within the state a formal institution within the state a formal institution within the state during the reign of Augustus the guard during the reign of Augustus the guard during the reign of Augustus the guard were stationed in and around Rome and were stationed in and around Rome and were stationed in and around Rome and were used as a combination police force were used as a combination police force were used as a combination police force intelligence service and of course intelligence service and of course intelligence service and of course bodyguard for the Imperial family bodyguard for the Imperial family bodyguard for the Imperial family Augustus set their number at nine Augustus set their number at nine Augustus set their number at nine cohorts of 500 men each which he later cohorts of 500 men each which he later cohorts of 500 men each which he later up to a thousand but conscious of up to a thousand but conscious of up to a thousand but conscious of appearances he did not station them at a appearances he did not station them at a appearances he did not station them at a central base within Rome instead he central base within Rome instead he central base within Rome instead he scattered the men in lodgings throughout scattered the men in lodgings throughout scattered the men in lodgings throughout Italy Augustus wanted their presence Italy Augustus wanted their presence Italy Augustus wanted their presence known and known and known and but not so much so that it put lie to

but not so much so that it put lie to but not so much so that it put lie to his claims of Republican legitimacy so his claims of Republican legitimacy so his claims of Republican legitimacy so at any given time only three cohorts at any given time only three cohorts at any given time only three cohorts would be on active duty in the capital would be on active duty in the capital would be on active duty in the capital itself during the Augustine period the itself during the Augustine period the itself during the Augustine period the petorian was a fairly benign Force but petorian was a fairly benign Force but petorian was a fairly benign Force but once Augustus was dead the guard seems once Augustus was dead the guard seems once Augustus was dead the guard seems to have grown aware of the power it to have grown aware of the power it to have grown aware of the power it could easily possess if it simply pushed could easily possess if it simply pushed could easily possess if it simply pushed a a a little Tiberius really gave them a little Tiberius really gave them a little Tiberius really gave them a glimpse of the Apple when he decided to glimpse of the Apple when he decided to glimpse of the Apple when he decided to isue augustus's policy of keeping the isue augustus's policy of keeping the isue augustus's policy of keeping the troops scattered and instead Lodge them troops scattered and instead Lodge them troops scattered and instead Lodge them in a single Barrack just outside of Rome in a single Barrack just outside of Rome in a single Barrack just outside of Rome at the same time he upped their ranks by at the same time he upped their ranks by at the same time he upped their ranks by three more cohorts bringing their total three more cohorts bringing their total three more cohorts bringing their total to some 12,000 men tiberias also let to some 12,000 men tiberias also let to some 12,000 men tiberias also let slip the policy of keeping two prefects slip the policy of keeping two prefects slip the policy of keeping two prefects at all times in charge of the Guard at all times in charge of the Guard at all times in charge of the Guard mimicking the pattern of the consulship mimicking the pattern of the consulship mimicking the pattern of the consulship which had for so long prevented power which had for so long prevented power which had for so long prevented power from accumulating in the hands of one from accumulating in the hands of one from accumulating in the hands of one man the first man to serve as sole man the first man to serve as sole man the first man to serve as sole prefect the aforementioned sanus had a prefect the aforementioned sanus had a prefect the aforementioned sanus had a ruthless Machiavellian personality and ruthless Machiavellian personality and ruthless Machiavellian personality and from this point on the petorian became a from this point on the petorian became a from this point on the petorian became a political force as well as a military political force as well as a military political force as well as a military one ostensibly the guard relied upon the one ostensibly the guard relied upon the one ostensibly the guard relied upon the emperor for their status and as such emperor for their status and as such emperor for their status and as such should remained perfectly loyal to him should remained perfectly loyal to him should remained perfectly loyal to him but in practice Tiberius and all of his but in practice Tiberius and all of his but in practice Tiberius and all of his successors found that it was far more successors found that it was far more successors found that it was far more the other way around the emperor relied the other way around the emperor relied the other way around the emperor relied upon the petorian for his position as upon the petorian for his position as upon the petorian for his position as such the guard began to wield something such the guard began to wield something such the guard began to wield something of a deao veto over state affairs of a deao veto over state affairs of a deao veto over state affairs because what was the emperor going to do because what was the emperor going to do because what was the emperor going to do cross them they guarded the Imperial cross them they guarded the Imperial cross them they guarded the Imperial family while they slept family while they slept family while they slept for the next few hundred years the for the next few hundred years the for the next few hundred years the petorian guard would sit fat and

petorian guard would sit fat and petorian guard would sit fat and comfortable in roomy Barracks with their comfortable in roomy Barracks with their comfortable in roomy Barracks with their double pay and lack discipline and dare double pay and lack discipline and dare double pay and lack discipline and dare anyone to challenge them anytime they anyone to challenge them anytime they anyone to challenge them anytime they took a dislike to a sitting Emperor they took a dislike to a sitting Emperor they took a dislike to a sitting Emperor they would simply assassinate or depose him would simply assassinate or depose him would simply assassinate or depose him and elevate a man they thought would and elevate a man they thought would and elevate a man they thought would treat them better they went so far at treat them better they went so far at treat them better they went so far at one point as to actually auction off the one point as to actually auction off the one point as to actually auction off the job of Emperor to the highest bidder job of Emperor to the highest bidder job of Emperor to the highest bidder after murdering the previous occupant of after murdering the previous occupant of after murdering the previous occupant of the the the office this model of using the Monopoly office this model of using the Monopoly office this model of using the Monopoly they held on the use of force within they held on the use of force within they held on the use of force within Rome to maintain their own status and Rome to maintain their own status and Rome to maintain their own status and push their own agenda was invented by push their own agenda was invented by push their own agenda was invented by Lucius sanus a man who at his height was Lucius sanus a man who at his height was Lucius sanus a man who at his height was arguably the most powerful man in the arguably the most powerful man in the arguably the most powerful man in the Empire s Janus was born into the Empire s Janus was born into the Empire s Janus was born into the equestrian class the socioeconomic level equestrian class the socioeconomic level equestrian class the socioeconomic level just beneath that of the senatorial just beneath that of the senatorial just beneath that of the senatorial class his family was connected to the class his family was connected to the class his family was connected to the regime by his grandfather's marriage to regime by his grandfather's marriage to regime by his grandfather's marriage to ms's sister but they were by no means in ms's sister but they were by no means in ms's sister but they were by no means in the upper echelon of Roman the upper echelon of Roman the upper echelon of Roman society s janus's father caught the eye society s janus's father caught the eye society s janus's father caught the eye of Augustus while the former was still a of Augustus while the former was still a of Augustus while the former was still a young young man and he was brought into young young man and he was brought into young young man and he was brought into the petarian guard and eventually made the petarian guard and eventually made the petarian guard and eventually made one of its two prefects after Augustus one of its two prefects after Augustus one of its two prefects after Augustus died young s Janus was appointed to died young s Janus was appointed to died young s Janus was appointed to serve as his father's colleague but serve as his father's colleague but serve as his father's colleague but critically when the elder man was critically when the elder man was critically when the elder man was appointed to serve as governor of Egypt appointed to serve as governor of Egypt appointed to serve as governor of Egypt an appointment which speaks volumes an appointment which speaks volumes an appointment which speaks volumes about the trust tiberias had in this about the trust tiberias had in this about the trust tiberias had in this particular family sanus was left as the particular family sanus was left as the particular family sanus was left as the sole prefect and tiberias appointed no sole prefect and tiberias appointed no sole prefect and tiberias appointed no colleague to serve with him it seems colleague to serve with him it seems colleague to serve with him it seems that right away sanus was a slave to that right away sanus was a slave to that right away sanus was a slave to ambition and immediately set his sight ambition and immediately set his sight ambition and immediately set his sight on elevating himself above the ceiling on elevating himself above the ceiling on elevating himself above the ceiling placed on him by his equestrian status

placed on him by his equestrian status placed on him by his equestrian status and for years Tiberius was content to and for years Tiberius was content to and for years Tiberius was content to allow sanus his ambition to allow sanus his ambition to allow sanus his ambition to flourish now what exactly sanus was flourish now what exactly sanus was flourish now what exactly sanus was ultimately aiming for has been a topic ultimately aiming for has been a topic ultimately aiming for has been a topic of great debate over the years numerous of great debate over the years numerous of great debate over the years numerous ancient sources claim that he had his ancient sources claim that he had his ancient sources claim that he had his sight set squarely on making himself sight set squarely on making himself sight set squarely on making himself Emperor but the modern consensus is that Emperor but the modern consensus is that Emperor but the modern consensus is that he was looking to be named Regent for he was looking to be named Regent for he was looking to be named Regent for one of tiber's Young heirs once tiberias one of tiber's Young heirs once tiberias one of tiber's Young heirs once tiberias himself was dead but of course when himself was dead but of course when himself was dead but of course when sanus began to scheme after attaining sanus began to scheme after attaining sanus began to scheme after attaining sole control of the petorian garden 15 sole control of the petorian garden 15 sole control of the petorian garden 15 ad there was one giant obstacle in his ad there was one giant obstacle in his ad there was one giant obstacle in his way Tiberius his son way Tiberius his son way Tiberius his son drusus with drusus the obvious heir to drusus with drusus the obvious heir to drusus with drusus the obvious heir to the throne there was no room for sanus the throne there was no room for sanus the throne there was no room for sanus at the top as young drusus was not young at the top as young drusus was not young at the top as young drusus was not young enough to require an overbearing Regent enough to require an overbearing Regent enough to require an overbearing Regent to rule in his name now you might be to rule in his name now you might be to rule in his name now you might be saying okay well we're about to see that saying okay well we're about to see that saying okay well we're about to see that sanus was able to do a pretty good job sanus was able to do a pretty good job sanus was able to do a pretty good job warming his way into tiberias his favor warming his way into tiberias his favor warming his way into tiberias his favor why not just keep on keeping on and be why not just keep on keeping on and be why not just keep on keeping on and be the power behind the Throne of the the power behind the Throne of the the power behind the Throne of the eventual Emperor drusus as well the eventual Emperor drusus as well the eventual Emperor drusus as well the answer is that drusus hated sanus he answer is that drusus hated sanus he answer is that drusus hated sanus he found the manipulative prefect found the manipulative prefect found the manipulative prefect absolutely despicable and sanus in turn absolutely despicable and sanus in turn absolutely despicable and sanus in turn hated drusus even more so after the hot hated drusus even more so after the hot hated drusus even more so after the hot tempered air had actually hit him during tempered air had actually hit him during tempered air had actually hit him during one of their frequent one of their frequent one of their frequent arguments if drusus did become emperor arguments if drusus did become emperor arguments if drusus did become emperor sanus would probably be lucky if he was sanus would probably be lucky if he was sanus would probably be lucky if he was simply removed from office Exile would simply removed from office Exile would simply removed from office Exile would not be out of the question nor would not be out of the question nor would not be out of the question nor would force suicide nor force suicide nor force suicide nor execution I think it's safe to say that execution I think it's safe to say that execution I think it's safe to say that nothing would have been more disastrous

nothing would have been more disastrous nothing would have been more disastrous to the life and career of Lucius sanus to the life and career of Lucius sanus to the life and career of Lucius sanus than the Ascension of Emperor than the Ascension of Emperor than the Ascension of Emperor drusus while he was wondering how to get drusus while he was wondering how to get drusus while he was wondering how to get around drusus sanus was also thinking around drusus sanus was also thinking around drusus sanus was also thinking about how to get around the fact that he about how to get around the fact that he about how to get around the fact that he was merely an equestrian and had likely was merely an equestrian and had likely was merely an equestrian and had likely risen as high as his status would ever risen as high as his status would ever risen as high as his status would ever permit finally the prefect Hit Upon an permit finally the prefect Hit Upon an permit finally the prefect Hit Upon an answer that would take care of both of answer that would take care of both of answer that would take care of both of his problems simultaneously An Elegant his problems simultaneously An Elegant his problems simultaneously An Elegant if Sinister little if Sinister little if Sinister little solution at the time drusus was married solution at the time drusus was married solution at the time drusus was married to levilla the daughter of Tiberius his to levilla the daughter of Tiberius his to levilla the daughter of Tiberius his brother drusus and Antonia the daughter brother drusus and Antonia the daughter brother drusus and Antonia the daughter of Octavia and Mark antthony if drusus of Octavia and Mark antthony if drusus of Octavia and Mark antthony if drusus were to suddenly die and the widowed were to suddenly die and the widowed were to suddenly die and the widowed lavilla was allowed to marry sanus then lavilla was allowed to marry sanus then lavilla was allowed to marry sanus then he would become a member of the Imperial he would become a member of the Imperial he would become a member of the Imperial family and any children he sired would family and any children he sired would family and any children he sired would themselves become potential heirs to the themselves become potential heirs to the themselves become potential heirs to the throne so he said about seducing levilla throne so he said about seducing levilla throne so he said about seducing levilla in the hopes that she would not only in the hopes that she would not only in the hopes that she would not only welcome him as her husband but also that welcome him as her husband but also that welcome him as her husband but also that she might help him eliminate she might help him eliminate she might help him eliminate drusus luckily for sanus lville was more drusus luckily for sanus lville was more drusus luckily for sanus lville was more than open to cheating on her than open to cheating on her than open to cheating on her persistently absentee persistently absentee persistently absentee husband once the affair got going it did husband once the affair got going it did husband once the affair got going it did not take much for sanus to convince not take much for sanus to convince not take much for sanus to convince lavilla that drusus was a hindrance to lavilla that drusus was a hindrance to lavilla that drusus was a hindrance to them both if drusus were eliminated them both if drusus were eliminated them both if drusus were eliminated sanus would whisper in her ear then they sanus would whisper in her ear then they sanus would whisper in her ear then they could be together in the open sanus could be together in the open sanus could be together in the open sanus would be in a much more powerful would be in a much more powerful would be in a much more powerful position politically and together they position politically and together they position politically and together they might eventually rule the might eventually rule the might eventually rule the Empire clearly lavilla had no great love Empire clearly lavilla had no great love Empire clearly lavilla had no great love for drusus because in 23 ad she agreed for drusus because in 23 ad she agreed for drusus because in 23 ad she agreed to secretly administer poison to her to secretly administer poison to her to secretly administer poison to her unsuspecting husband apparently she and

unsuspecting husband apparently she and unsuspecting husband apparently she and sanus did such a good job that no one sanus did such a good job that no one sanus did such a good job that no one ever suspected that drusus is sudden ever suspected that drusus is sudden ever suspected that drusus is sudden illness and death was the result of Foul illness and death was the result of Foul illness and death was the result of Foul Play it would be years before the truth Play it would be years before the truth Play it would be years before the truth came came came out tacitus marks the death of drusus as out tacitus marks the death of drusus as out tacitus marks the death of drusus as the turning point in tiberias his Reign the turning point in tiberias his Reign the turning point in tiberias his Reign the emperor had shared a consulship with the emperor had shared a consulship with the emperor had shared a consulship with his son in 21 ad and was in the process his son in 21 ad and was in the process his son in 21 ad and was in the process of transferring a great deal of of transferring a great deal of of transferring a great deal of administrative authority to drusus at administrative authority to drusus at administrative authority to drusus at the time of the young man's death the time of the young man's death the time of the young man's death tiberias had failed to get the Senate to tiberias had failed to get the Senate to tiberias had failed to get the Senate to help him with his increasingly unwelcome help him with his increasingly unwelcome help him with his increasingly unwelcome burdens of office and had ever since burdens of office and had ever since burdens of office and had ever since viewed drusus as the answer to his viewed drusus as the answer to his viewed drusus as the answer to his unhappiness when drusus died tiberias unhappiness when drusus died tiberias unhappiness when drusus died tiberias suffered the blow not just as a father suffered the blow not just as a father suffered the blow not just as a father who had lost a son but also as a who had lost a son but also as a who had lost a son but also as a prisoner who had been denied parole now prisoner who had been denied parole now prisoner who had been denied parole now a faction of ancient historians led by a faction of ancient historians led by a faction of ancient historians led by suetonius report that tiberias cared suetonius report that tiberias cared suetonius report that tiberias cared very little for his son and actually cut very little for his son and actually cut very little for his son and actually cut short the customary mourning period and short the customary mourning period and short the customary mourning period and returned to work because he had nothing returned to work because he had nothing returned to work because he had nothing really to mourn at all but I am more really to mourn at all but I am more really to mourn at all but I am more convinced by tacitus that the death was convinced by tacitus that the death was convinced by tacitus that the death was a personal and professional disaster for a personal and professional disaster for a personal and professional disaster for tiberias given everything else we know tiberias given everything else we know tiberias given everything else we know about the emperor and the fact that about the emperor and the fact that about the emperor and the fact that suetonius wonderful writer that he is suetonius wonderful writer that he is suetonius wonderful writer that he is tends to traffic in unflattering tends to traffic in unflattering tends to traffic in unflattering Gossip the murder of jusus was a crime Gossip the murder of jusus was a crime Gossip the murder of jusus was a crime that remained hidden for close to a that remained hidden for close to a that remained hidden for close to a decade and for that stretch things went decade and for that stretch things went decade and for that stretch things went almost completely Accord ording to plan almost completely Accord ording to plan almost completely Accord ording to plan for for for sanus tiberias who was still looking for sanus tiberias who was still looking for sanus tiberias who was still looking for someone to help him govern turned to his someone to help him govern turned to his someone to help him govern turned to his willing prefect for support and found s

willing prefect for support and found s willing prefect for support and found s janus's administrative skills and janus's administrative skills and janus's administrative skills and general cunning to be a valuable general cunning to be a valuable general cunning to be a valuable resource the emperor began to rely on resource the emperor began to rely on resource the emperor began to rely on him more and more to actually run the him more and more to actually run the him more and more to actually run the Empire with tiberious trusting in Him Empire with tiberious trusting in Him Empire with tiberious trusting in Him completely sanus acted as a sort of completely sanus acted as a sort of completely sanus acted as a sort of super executive assistant who controlled super executive assistant who controlled super executive assistant who controlled the flow of information into and out of the flow of information into and out of the flow of information into and out of the Imperial the Imperial the Imperial quarters Tiberia only saw callers quarters Tiberia only saw callers quarters Tiberia only saw callers approved by sanus only read letters approved by sanus only read letters approved by sanus only read letters approved by sanus and only issued orders approved by sanus and only issued orders approved by sanus and only issued orders approved by sanus the prefect became so approved by sanus the prefect became so approved by sanus the prefect became so influential that tiberias called him influential that tiberias called him influential that tiberias called him nothing less than the partner of my nothing less than the partner of my nothing less than the partner of my labors but s janus's plan was only half labors but s janus's plan was only half labors but s janus's plan was only half fulfilled he was now one of the most fulfilled he was now one of the most fulfilled he was now one of the most powerful men in the Empire and no longer powerful men in the Empire and no longer powerful men in the Empire and no longer had to worry about the wrath of a had to worry about the wrath of a had to worry about the wrath of a potential Emperor jusus but his attempt potential Emperor jusus but his attempt potential Emperor jusus but his attempt to marry into the Imperial family was to marry into the Imperial family was to marry into the Imperial family was blocked by the emperor after waiting a blocked by the emperor after waiting a blocked by the emperor after waiting a suitable amount of time following the suitable amount of time following the suitable amount of time following the death of drusus sanist asked tiberious death of drusus sanist asked tiberious death of drusus sanist asked tiberious for the Widow lilla's hand in marriage for the Widow lilla's hand in marriage for the Widow lilla's hand in marriage in 25 in 25 in 25 ad however unlike just about every other ad however unlike just about every other ad however unlike just about every other decision the emperor made he refused to decision the emperor made he refused to decision the emperor made he refused to consider the matter as important as consider the matter as important as consider the matter as important as sanus was he was still after all merely sanus was he was still after all merely sanus was he was still after all merely an equestrian when a daughter of the an equestrian when a daughter of the an equestrian when a daughter of the Imperial family married it had better be Imperial family married it had better be Imperial family married it had better be to a man of at least senatorial rank to a man of at least senatorial rank to a man of at least senatorial rank anything less would be beneath her come anything less would be beneath her come anything less would be beneath her come now s Janice be serious what would the now s Janice be serious what would the now s Janice be serious what would the neighbors think neighbors think neighbors think afraid that pressing the issue would afraid that pressing the issue would afraid that pressing the issue would cause him to lose favor sanus was forced cause him to lose favor sanus was forced cause him to lose favor sanus was forced to swallow his pride and drop the matter to swallow his pride and drop the matter to swallow his pride and drop the matter not forever just for not forever just for not forever just for now with his plan to enter the Julio

now with his plan to enter the Julio now with his plan to enter the Julio claudian Dynasty temporarily thwarted claudian Dynasty temporarily thwarted claudian Dynasty temporarily thwarted sanus turned all of his attention to sanus turned all of his attention to sanus turned all of his attention to accumulating as much power for himself accumulating as much power for himself accumulating as much power for himself as possible to this end he decided to as possible to this end he decided to as possible to this end he decided to lean hard on tiber's natural paranoia lean hard on tiber's natural paranoia lean hard on tiber's natural paranoia and drive a physical as well as and drive a physical as well as and drive a physical as well as psychological wedge between tiberias and psychological wedge between tiberias and psychological wedge between tiberias and the people of Rome ever since the death of germanicus ever since the death of germanicus agripina and her allies in the Julian agripina and her allies in the Julian agripina and her allies in the Julian wing of the Julio claudian Dynasty made wing of the Julio claudian Dynasty made wing of the Julio claudian Dynasty made no secret of the fact that they blamed no secret of the fact that they blamed no secret of the fact that they blamed tiberias for germanicus death sanus tiberias for germanicus death sanus tiberias for germanicus death sanus decided to play up the threat they might decided to play up the threat they might decided to play up the threat they might pose to tiberias and began trumping up pose to tiberias and began trumping up pose to tiberias and began trumping up trees and charges against various trees and charges against various trees and charges against various high-ranking officials allied with high-ranking officials allied with high-ranking officials allied with agripina it was all political theater of agripina it was all political theater of agripina it was all political theater of course acted out for an audience of course acted out for an audience of course acted out for an audience of one already inclined to believe that one already inclined to believe that one already inclined to believe that everyone was out to get him when sanus everyone was out to get him when sanus everyone was out to get him when sanus began showing him evidence that they began showing him evidence that they began showing him evidence that they really were all out to get him tiberias really were all out to get him tiberias really were all out to get him tiberias withdrew even further from the public withdrew even further from the public withdrew even further from the public realm he began huling up in compania on realm he began huling up in compania on realm he began huling up in compania on extended vacations that kept him out of extended vacations that kept him out of extended vacations that kept him out of Rome for longer and longer periods of Rome for longer and longer periods of Rome for longer and longer periods of time with each passing time with each passing time with each passing year pretty soon living in the bubble year pretty soon living in the bubble year pretty soon living in the bubble created by sanus Rome began to loom in created by sanus Rome began to loom in created by sanus Rome began to loom in tiber's imagination as a mortally tiber's imagination as a mortally tiber's imagination as a mortally dangerous city packed with treacherous dangerous city packed with treacherous dangerous city packed with treacherous vipers and hostile mobs in 26 ad he vipers and hostile mobs in 26 ad he vipers and hostile mobs in 26 ad he decided Ed to retreat to his Villa on decided Ed to retreat to his Villa on decided Ed to retreat to his Villa on the island of Capri and leave Rome to the island of Capri and leave Rome to the island of Capri and leave Rome to its own its own its own devices no one knew it at the time but devices no one knew it at the time but devices no one knew it at the time but when he left the city that year it would when he left the city that year it would when he left the city that year it would be the last time tyberius would actually be the last time tyberius would actually be the last time tyberius would actually set foot in

set foot in set foot in Rome he would constantly send word that Rome he would constantly send word that Rome he would constantly send word that he was coming back soon that he would be he was coming back soon that he would be he was coming back soon that he would be there any day but excuses always delayed there any day but excuses always delayed there any day but excuses always delayed travel and he just never got around to travel and he just never got around to travel and he just never got around to it the truth is that tiberious was it the truth is that tiberious was it the truth is that tiberious was probably terrified of returning to the probably terrified of returning to the probably terrified of returning to the city convinced as he was that as soon as city convinced as he was that as soon as city convinced as he was that as soon as he did the mobs would riot and tear him he did the mobs would riot and tear him he did the mobs would riot and tear him limb from limb from limb from limb for the last 11 years of his Reign limb for the last 11 years of his Reign limb for the last 11 years of his Reign tiberias ruled in abenia from Capri his tiberias ruled in abenia from Capri his tiberias ruled in abenia from Capri his man on the ground of course was sanus man on the ground of course was sanus man on the ground of course was sanus who promised to look after Tiberius who promised to look after Tiberius who promised to look after Tiberius interests in Rome until it was safe for interests in Rome until it was safe for interests in Rome until it was safe for the emperor to the emperor to the emperor to return now there is a loose variable in return now there is a loose variable in return now there is a loose variable in all of this that I have thus far all of this that I have thus far all of this that I have thus far neglected to mention who kept s janus's neglected to mention who kept s janus's neglected to mention who kept s janus's power from becoming complete at this power from becoming complete at this power from becoming complete at this point and who also may have played a point and who also may have played a point and who also may have played a part in tiberias his second and final part in tiberias his second and final part in tiberias his second and final self-imposed exile self-imposed exile self-imposed exile his mother Livia now known as the his mother Livia now known as the his mother Livia now known as the Augusta during the early years of Augusta during the early years of Augusta during the early years of Tiberius his Reign there seems to have Tiberius his Reign there seems to have Tiberius his Reign there seems to have been a cordial if distant relationship been a cordial if distant relationship been a cordial if distant relationship between mother and son she did not lack between mother and son she did not lack between mother and son she did not lack for valuable advice and there is no for valuable advice and there is no for valuable advice and there is no denying that she was a fierce advocate denying that she was a fierce advocate denying that she was a fierce advocate for her son's interests but she also for her son's interests but she also for her son's interests but she also exuded a sort of omnipresence that began exuded a sort of omnipresence that began exuded a sort of omnipresence that began to wear on to wear on to wear on tiberious there was no end to the snide tiberious there was no end to the snide tiberious there was no end to the snide gossip that Tiberius had been placed on gossip that Tiberius had been placed on gossip that Tiberius had been placed on the throne by his mother and it was she the throne by his mother and it was she the throne by his mother and it was she who really pulled the strings of who really pulled the strings of who really pulled the strings of power tiberious struggled to become his power tiberious struggled to become his power tiberious struggled to become his own man and tried to only consult with own man and tried to only consult with own man and tried to only consult with his mother when absolutely necessary he his mother when absolutely necessary he his mother when absolutely necessary he wanted to demonstrate that he ruled in wanted to demonstrate that he ruled in wanted to demonstrate that he ruled in his own right but the Augusta had her

his own right but the Augusta had her his own right but the Augusta had her own base of support and there would own base of support and there would own base of support and there would always be those who saw Tiberius as a always be those who saw Tiberius as a always be those who saw Tiberius as a necessary figurehead in patriarchal Rome necessary figurehead in patriarchal Rome necessary figurehead in patriarchal Rome and that in fact the empire was actually and that in fact the empire was actually and that in fact the empire was actually being ruled by its first being ruled by its first being ruled by its first emperess though he gave as much latitude emperess though he gave as much latitude emperess though he gave as much latitude to his mother as he felt he could there to his mother as he felt he could there to his mother as he felt he could there were times when the two buted heads were times when the two buted heads were times when the two buted heads publicly sometimes she got her way and publicly sometimes she got her way and publicly sometimes she got her way and sometimes he got his way but tiberious sometimes he got his way but tiberious sometimes he got his way but tiberious seemed unable to escape the perception seemed unable to escape the perception seemed unable to escape the perception that when he got his way it was because that when he got his way it was because that when he got his way it was because the Augusta had relented to a petulant the Augusta had relented to a petulant the Augusta had relented to a petulant child and when she got her way it was child and when she got her way it was child and when she got her way it was because well she was the real power in because well she was the real power in because well she was the real power in Rome tiberias just could not win and of Rome tiberias just could not win and of Rome tiberias just could not win and of course the Augusta did little to course the Augusta did little to course the Augusta did little to disabuse anyone of the notion that all disabuse anyone of the notion that all disabuse anyone of the notion that all of it wasn't of it wasn't of it wasn't true almost all the ancient sources true almost all the ancient sources true almost all the ancient sources agree that when tiberias withdrew from agree that when tiberias withdrew from agree that when tiberias withdrew from Rome 26 ad it was at least in part to Rome 26 ad it was at least in part to Rome 26 ad it was at least in part to get away from his overbearing mother the get away from his overbearing mother the get away from his overbearing mother the depth of the enmity torter that had depth of the enmity torter that had depth of the enmity torter that had grown in tiberious by the end is amply grown in tiberious by the end is amply grown in tiberious by the end is amply demonstrated by the fact that when she demonstrated by the fact that when she demonstrated by the fact that when she finally died in 29 ad he claimed that he finally died in 29 ad he claimed that he finally died in 29 ad he claimed that he was too busy with work to return to Rome was too busy with work to return to Rome was too busy with work to return to Rome for her for her for her funeral but as I've said the Augusta was funeral but as I've said the Augusta was funeral but as I've said the Augusta was a fierce advocate for her son whether it a fierce advocate for her son whether it a fierce advocate for her son whether it was in pursuit of her own interests or was in pursuit of her own interests or was in pursuit of her own interests or not when it came to Tiberius she was not when it came to Tiberius she was not when it came to Tiberius she was always on the watch for potential always on the watch for potential always on the watch for potential dangers to his regime dangers to his regime dangers to his regime thus when sanus wormed his way into the thus when sanus wormed his way into the thus when sanus wormed his way into the emperor's confidence and began his deao emperor's confidence and began his deao emperor's confidence and began his deao rule of Rome when Tiberius retired to rule of Rome when Tiberius retired to rule of Rome when Tiberius retired to Capri he was prevented from wielding Capri he was prevented from wielding Capri he was prevented from wielding absolute control over the Empire because absolute control over the Empire because absolute control over the Empire because the Augusta had her own direct lines of

the Augusta had her own direct lines of the Augusta had her own direct lines of communication to her son that sanus was communication to her son that sanus was communication to her son that sanus was unable to unable to unable to block the prefect was smart enough not block the prefect was smart enough not block the prefect was smart enough not to cross the Augusta so though he was to cross the Augusta so though he was to cross the Augusta so though he was poised to completely dominate The Empire poised to completely dominate The Empire poised to completely dominate The Empire he wasn't quite there he wasn't quite there he wasn't quite there yet eventually sanus planned to yet eventually sanus planned to yet eventually sanus planned to eliminate any any one who threatened his eliminate any any one who threatened his eliminate any any one who threatened his rise but a good number of those threats rise but a good number of those threats rise but a good number of those threats sat in the Augustus sphere of influence sat in the Augustus sphere of influence sat in the Augustus sphere of influence it would be monumentally stupid to stir it would be monumentally stupid to stir it would be monumentally stupid to stir up that Hornet's Nest when he didn't up that Hornet's Nest when he didn't up that Hornet's Nest when he didn't have to he had planned lots of plans but have to he had planned lots of plans but have to he had planned lots of plans but as long as the Augusta was alive he as long as the Augusta was alive he as long as the Augusta was alive he would have to sit on them so when in 29 would have to sit on them so when in 29 would have to sit on them so when in 29 the Augusta finally passed away sanus the Augusta finally passed away sanus the Augusta finally passed away sanus put on a public face of mourning but put on a public face of mourning but put on a public face of mourning but inside was ecstatic he could now finally inside was ecstatic he could now finally inside was ecstatic he could now finally make his make his make his move one of those Main centers of move one of those Main centers of move one of those Main centers of opposition to him that sanus wanted to opposition to him that sanus wanted to opposition to him that sanus wanted to quickly destroy had grown up around quickly destroy had grown up around quickly destroy had grown up around agripina luckily eliminating her would agripina luckily eliminating her would agripina luckily eliminating her would not ruffle any Imperial feathers as not ruffle any Imperial feathers as not ruffle any Imperial feathers as tiberious himself hated her and wanted tiberious himself hated her and wanted tiberious himself hated her and wanted her out of the her out of the her out of the picture Not only was she still beating picture Not only was she still beating picture Not only was she still beating the tiberious killed my husband drum but the tiberious killed my husband drum but the tiberious killed my husband drum but she also actively promoted her own Sons she also actively promoted her own Sons she also actively promoted her own Sons as the true heirs to the Imperial as the true heirs to the Imperial as the true heirs to the Imperial Throne Augustus had wanted germanicus to Throne Augustus had wanted germanicus to Throne Augustus had wanted germanicus to follow tiberias she said so it was only follow tiberias she said so it was only follow tiberias she said so it was only logical that germanicus Sons stand as logical that germanicus Sons stand as logical that germanicus Sons stand as the rightful heirs it was augustus's the rightful heirs it was augustus's the rightful heirs it was augustus's will that the Julians return to power will that the Julians return to power will that the Julians return to power and not allow Rome to be ruled by gag me and not allow Rome to be ruled by gag me and not allow Rome to be ruled by gag me with a spoon a succession of claudians with a spoon a succession of claudians with a spoon a succession of claudians or that snake in the grass or that snake in the grass or that snake in the grass sanus acting nothing like the good

sanus acting nothing like the good sanus acting nothing like the good little Roman woman agripina very little Roman woman agripina very little Roman woman agripina very publicly inserted herself into politics publicly inserted herself into politics publicly inserted herself into politics and gathered around her family something and gathered around her family something and gathered around her family something of an opposition party to the standing of an opposition party to the standing of an opposition party to the standing regime her distrust of the emperor was regime her distrust of the emperor was regime her distrust of the emperor was so great that at a dinner party one so great that at a dinner party one so great that at a dinner party one night he offered her some fruit and she night he offered her some fruit and she night he offered her some fruit and she refused to eat it convinced that he was refused to eat it convinced that he was refused to eat it convinced that he was trying to poison her tiberias himself trying to poison her tiberias himself trying to poison her tiberias himself claimed that the entire scene was claimed that the entire scene was claimed that the entire scene was pre-arranged to test her loyalty a test pre-arranged to test her loyalty a test pre-arranged to test her loyalty a test that she failed that she failed that she failed spectacularly agripina unwilling as ever spectacularly agripina unwilling as ever spectacularly agripina unwilling as ever to back down told her supporters that to back down told her supporters that to back down told her supporters that tiberias had in fact tried to poison her tiberias had in fact tried to poison her tiberias had in fact tried to poison her and then concocted the story of a and then concocted the story of a and then concocted the story of a loyalty test after the fact once she loyalty test after the fact once she loyalty test after the fact once she escaped his murderous escaped his murderous escaped his murderous clutches when the Augusta died sanus clutches when the Augusta died sanus clutches when the Augusta died sanus went straight away after agripina on the went straight away after agripina on the went straight away after agripina on the explicit order of of explicit order of of explicit order of of tiberias whether the idea of trying tiberias whether the idea of trying tiberias whether the idea of trying germanicus his family for treason was germanicus his family for treason was germanicus his family for treason was originally planted in the emperor's head originally planted in the emperor's head originally planted in the emperor's head by sanus or not there is no doubt that by sanus or not there is no doubt that by sanus or not there is no doubt that tiberias fully supported their tiberias fully supported their tiberias fully supported their persecution agripina and her two eldest persecution agripina and her two eldest persecution agripina and her two eldest Sons Nero Caesar and drusa Caesar were Sons Nero Caesar and drusa Caesar were Sons Nero Caesar and drusa Caesar were tried and convicted on trumped up tried and convicted on trumped up tried and convicted on trumped up charges of attempting to overthrow the charges of attempting to overthrow the charges of attempting to overthrow the regime the fates of all three were regime the fates of all three were regime the fates of all three were grusome the Elder son nuro Caesar was grusome the Elder son nuro Caesar was grusome the Elder son nuro Caesar was murdered shortly after the trial while murdered shortly after the trial while murdered shortly after the trial while his brother was left to rot in prison his brother was left to rot in prison his brother was left to rot in prison for 4 years before being intentionally for 4 years before being intentionally for 4 years before being intentionally starved to death in 33 starved to death in 33 starved to death in 33 ad it is reported that by the end he was ad it is reported that by the end he was ad it is reported that by the end he was reduced to eating the stuffing from his reduced to eating the stuffing from his reduced to eating the stuffing from his bedding in a vain attempt to bedding in a vain attempt to bedding in a vain attempt to survive agripina herself was exiled to a survive agripina herself was exiled to a survive agripina herself was exiled to a desolate Island and after enduring years

desolate Island and after enduring years desolate Island and after enduring years of beatings she too died in 33 ad broken of beatings she too died in 33 ad broken of beatings she too died in 33 ad broken and and and malnourished the only one of germanicus malnourished the only one of germanicus malnourished the only one of germanicus his sons to survive was young gas known his sons to survive was young gas known his sons to survive was young gas known to All by the nickname Caligula who was to All by the nickname Caligula who was to All by the nickname Caligula who was too young to be considered a threat H I too young to be considered a threat H I too young to be considered a threat H I wonder if this thoroughly traumatized wonder if this thoroughly traumatized wonder if this thoroughly traumatized boy who just watched his mother and boy who just watched his mother and boy who just watched his mother and brothers be murdered by his adopted brothers be murdered by his adopted brothers be murdered by his adopted grandfather is going to grow up to be a grandfather is going to grow up to be a grandfather is going to grow up to be a sociopathic monster stay tuned we'll all sociopathic monster stay tuned we'll all sociopathic monster stay tuned we'll all find out find out find out together but the persecution of together but the persecution of together but the persecution of germanicus his family was only the germanicus his family was only the germanicus his family was only the beginning Rome under tiberias was beginning Rome under tiberias was beginning Rome under tiberias was already suffering from far more already suffering from far more already suffering from far more restrictions on individual liberty than restrictions on individual liberty than restrictions on individual liberty than it had under the confident and it had under the confident and it had under the confident and permissive permissive permissive Augustus throughout the 20s Tiberius had Augustus throughout the 20s Tiberius had Augustus throughout the 20s Tiberius had begun to elevate every real or perceived begun to elevate every real or perceived begun to elevate every real or perceived slide against the regime to the level of slide against the regime to the level of slide against the regime to the level of capital T treason now with sanus in capital T treason now with sanus in capital T treason now with sanus in total control of Tiberius the cruel total control of Tiberius the cruel total control of Tiberius the cruel paranoia of the Aging Emperor was given paranoia of the Aging Emperor was given paranoia of the Aging Emperor was given free reign where once maybe a few men a free reign where once maybe a few men a free reign where once maybe a few men a year were tried and convicted of treason year were tried and convicted of treason year were tried and convicted of treason now it became a daily event treason now it became a daily event treason now it became a daily event treason trials ran continuously and a bloody trials ran continuously and a bloody trials ran continuously and a bloody Purge not seen since the days of the Purge not seen since the days of the Purge not seen since the days of the second Triant overtook the city with second Triant overtook the city with second Triant overtook the city with sanus overseeing the proceedings it sanus overseeing the proceedings it sanus overseeing the proceedings it became clear early that those charged became clear early that those charged became clear early that those charged with treason were overwhelmingly with treason were overwhelmingly with treason were overwhelmingly personal enemies of the petorian personal enemies of the petorian personal enemies of the petorian prefect under the guise of protecting prefect under the guise of protecting prefect under the guise of protecting tiberias sanus was actually killing off tiberias sanus was actually killing off tiberias sanus was actually killing off his opponents and putting everyone else his opponents and putting everyone else his opponents and putting everyone else on notice that they had better not cross on notice that they had better not cross on notice that they had better not cross him but in 31 ad just as sanus stepped

him but in 31 ad just as sanus stepped him but in 31 ad just as sanus stepped into a shared consulship with Tiberius into a shared consulship with Tiberius into a shared consulship with Tiberius finally achieving the formal power he finally achieving the formal power he finally achieving the formal power he had sought for so long he was had sought for so long he was had sought for so long he was undone unfortunately for us the sections undone unfortunately for us the sections undone unfortunately for us the sections of tacitus anal that deal with the fall of tacitus anal that deal with the fall of tacitus anal that deal with the fall of sanus had been lost so we don't have of sanus had been lost so we don't have of sanus had been lost so we don't have the same level of detail for this the same level of detail for this the same level of detail for this episode that we do for the rest of episode that we do for the rest of episode that we do for the rest of tiber's tiber's tiber's Reign it seems though that Tiberius Reign it seems though that Tiberius Reign it seems though that Tiberius finally realized just how much sanus was finally realized just how much sanus was finally realized just how much sanus was usurping his authority after a few usurping his authority after a few usurping his authority after a few letters critical of the prefect made it letters critical of the prefect made it letters critical of the prefect made it through S janus's screening through S janus's screening through S janus's screening process believing that sanus had Allied process believing that sanus had Allied process believing that sanus had Allied himself with elements of the Julian Clan himself with elements of the Julian Clan himself with elements of the Julian Clan and was planning to overthrow him and was planning to overthrow him and was planning to overthrow him tiberias decided to divest himself of tiberias decided to divest himself of tiberias decided to divest himself of the backstabbing prefect the backstabbing prefect the backstabbing prefect he called an unsuspecting sanus to stand he called an unsuspecting sanus to stand he called an unsuspecting sanus to stand before the Senate to attend to some before the Senate to attend to some before the Senate to attend to some invented business outlined in a letter invented business outlined in a letter invented business outlined in a letter from the emperor that was to be read from the emperor that was to be read from the emperor that was to be read alloud to the assembled alloud to the assembled alloud to the assembled Senators to the prefect's shock amidst Senators to the prefect's shock amidst Senators to the prefect's shock amidst the tedium of Imperial business Tiberius the tedium of Imperial business Tiberius the tedium of Imperial business Tiberius is letter suddenly veered into a is letter suddenly veered into a is letter suddenly veered into a denunciation of his new celor denunciation of his new celor denunciation of his new celor colleague tiberias called for sanus to colleague tiberias called for sanus to colleague tiberias called for sanus to be tried and executed for treason the be tried and executed for treason the be tried and executed for treason the Senate who had suffered mightily under s Senate who had suffered mightily under s Senate who had suffered mightily under s janus's heavy and bloody hand janus's heavy and bloody hand janus's heavy and bloody hand immediately obliged immediately obliged immediately obliged sanus had no recourse as tiberias had sanus had no recourse as tiberias had sanus had no recourse as tiberias had already sent notice to the pretorians already sent notice to the pretorians already sent notice to the pretorians that their leader had been replaced and that their leader had been replaced and that their leader had been replaced and that Navia sutorus macro was their new that Navia sutorus macro was their new that Navia sutorus macro was their new prefect suddenly without power or Allies prefect suddenly without power or Allies prefect suddenly without power or Allies sanus was tried sentenced and sanus was tried sentenced and sanus was tried sentenced and strangled his death sparked riots in

strangled his death sparked riots in strangled his death sparked riots in Rome suddenly free of the Tyrant they Rome suddenly free of the Tyrant they Rome suddenly free of the Tyrant they tore his body to pieces and then went tore his body to pieces and then went tore his body to pieces and then went off in search of anyone who had off in search of anyone who had off in search of anyone who had collaborated with the Fallen prefect in collaborated with the Fallen prefect in collaborated with the Fallen prefect in his reign of his reign of his reign of terror among those who were swept up in terror among those who were swept up in terror among those who were swept up in the immediate aftermath of SJ janus's the immediate aftermath of SJ janus's the immediate aftermath of SJ janus's death was death was death was levilla a slave with knowledge of her levilla a slave with knowledge of her levilla a slave with knowledge of her crime waited until he was sure sanus was crime waited until he was sure sanus was crime waited until he was sure sanus was dead and then addressed a letter to dead and then addressed a letter to dead and then addressed a letter to tiberias outlining her involvement in tiberias outlining her involvement in tiberias outlining her involvement in the murder of the murder of the murder of jusus levilla turned up dead shortly jusus levilla turned up dead shortly jusus levilla turned up dead shortly thereafter and though a definitive thereafter and though a definitive thereafter and though a definitive account of her death does not exist the account of her death does not exist the account of her death does not exist the most dramatic account has tiberious most dramatic account has tiberious most dramatic account has tiberious handing lavilla over to her mother handing lavilla over to her mother handing lavilla over to her mother Antonia for punishment whereupon mother Antonia for punishment whereupon mother Antonia for punishment whereupon mother locked up daughter and starved her to locked up daughter and starved her to locked up daughter and starved her to death next week we will trace the final bloody next week we will trace the final bloody and debauched years of tiberias his and debauched years of tiberias his and debauched years of tiberias his reign as so often happens The Purge reign as so often happens The Purge reign as so often happens The Purge machine was turned on those who had machine was turned on those who had machine was turned on those who had initiated it and tiberious sought to initiated it and tiberious sought to initiated it and tiberious sought to eliminate anyone suspected of ever eliminate anyone suspected of ever eliminate anyone suspected of ever coming into contact with anyone who had coming into contact with anyone who had coming into contact with anyone who had ever considered being a friend of ever considered being a friend of ever considered being a friend of sanus it was a dark time for Rome and sanus it was a dark time for Rome and sanus it was a dark time for Rome and when tiberias finally died in 37 ad the when tiberias finally died in 37 ad the when tiberias finally died in 37 ad the people cheered his death Not only was people cheered his death Not only was people cheered his death Not only was their hated Master dead but ascending to their hated Master dead but ascending to their hated Master dead but ascending to the throne was the Beloved Caligula son the throne was the Beloved Caligula son the throne was the Beloved Caligula son of noble germanicus if anyone could put of noble germanicus if anyone could put of noble germanicus if anyone could put the horrible final years of tiberias as the horrible final years of tiberias as the horrible final years of tiberias as Reign behind them it was this shining Reign behind them it was this shining Reign behind them it was this shining Young Prince yeah not so Young Prince yeah not so Young Prince yeah not so much I will close this week by much I will close this week by much I will close this week by mentioning around this time a man mentioning around this time a man mentioning around this time a man claiming to be the Son of God was claiming to be the Son of God was claiming to be the Son of God was executed in the far off province of

executed in the far off province of executed in the far off province of Judea the crucifixion of the man Jesus Judea the crucifixion of the man Jesus Judea the crucifixion of the man Jesus Christ had absolutely no immediate Christ had absolutely no immediate Christ had absolutely no immediate impact on anything but in just a few impact on anything but in just a few impact on anything but in just a few years after a dramatic re Ator Vision on years after a dramatic re Ator Vision on years after a dramatic re Ator Vision on the road to the Syrian city of Damascus the road to the Syrian city of Damascus the road to the Syrian city of Damascus a man by the name of Saul will turn the a man by the name of Saul will turn the a man by the name of Saul will turn the execution into one of the most important execution into one of the most important execution into one of the most important events in world history even simply events in world history even simply events in world history even simply keeping our Focus strictly on Roman keeping our Focus strictly on Roman keeping our Focus strictly on Roman history the emergence and spread of history the emergence and spread of history the emergence and spread of Christianity is a huge development at Christianity is a huge development at Christianity is a huge development at first the early Christians will be first the early Christians will be first the early Christians will be ruthlessly persecuted by the Romans who ruthlessly persecuted by the Romans who ruthlessly persecuted by the Romans who will find themselves baffled by the will find themselves baffled by the will find themselves baffled by the Christian unwillingness to treat the Christian unwillingness to treat the Christian unwillingness to treat the Emperors as Divine but eventually Emperors as Divine but eventually Emperors as Divine but eventually Christianity will entrench itself as the Christianity will entrench itself as the Christianity will entrench itself as the official religion of the state and from official religion of the state and from official religion of the state and from there become the dominant religion of there become the dominant religion of there become the dominant religion of the entire Western the entire Western the entire Western [Music] [Music] [Music] World hello and welcome to the history World hello and welcome to the history World hello and welcome to the history of of of Rome episode 59 to the Tyber with Rome episode 59 to the Tyber with Rome episode 59 to the Tyber with tiberias Tiberius had never been tiberias Tiberius had never been tiberias Tiberius had never been particularly happy with his role as particularly happy with his role as particularly happy with his role as Emperor from the beginning of his Reign Emperor from the beginning of his Reign Emperor from the beginning of his Reign he had attempted to dump as much of the he had attempted to dump as much of the he had attempted to dump as much of the drudgery of supreme authority as he drudgery of supreme authority as he drudgery of supreme authority as he could off on other people first trying could off on other people first trying could off on other people first trying to enlist a thoroughly disinterested to enlist a thoroughly disinterested to enlist a thoroughly disinterested Senate then a willing but dead too soon Senate then a willing but dead too soon Senate then a willing but dead too soon son before he finally settled on a son before he finally settled on a son before he finally settled on a supposedly hyper loyal petorian prefect supposedly hyper loyal petorian prefect supposedly hyper loyal petorian prefect named Lucius sanus who proved to have named Lucius sanus who proved to have named Lucius sanus who proved to have only his own interests at heart after

only his own interests at heart after only his own interests at heart after the fall of sanus though tiberious the fall of sanus though tiberious the fall of sanus though tiberious simply stopped looking for a partner to simply stopped looking for a partner to simply stopped looking for a partner to bear his burdens for him that is not to bear his burdens for him that is not to bear his burdens for him that is not to say that he began to embrace the dull say that he began to embrace the dull say that he began to embrace the dull responsibilities of office quite the responsibilities of office quite the responsibilities of office quite the contrary after sanus was executed contrary after sanus was executed contrary after sanus was executed tiberias attended to the Empire even tiberias attended to the Empire even tiberias attended to the Empire even less than before had it not been for the less than before had it not been for the less than before had it not been for the inertia of the Imperial bureaucracy the inertia of the Imperial bureaucracy the inertia of the Imperial bureaucracy the Empire likely would have devolved into Empire likely would have devolved into Empire likely would have devolved into another round of chaotic Civil Wars the another round of chaotic Civil Wars the another round of chaotic Civil Wars the minut and ambitious men realized that minut and ambitious men realized that minut and ambitious men realized that there was no one Manning the helm there was no one Manning the helm there was no one Manning the helm anymore but the apparatus Augustus had anymore but the apparatus Augustus had anymore but the apparatus Augustus had set up turned out to be set up turned out to be set up turned out to be self-perpetuating enough to survive six self-perpetuating enough to survive six self-perpetuating enough to survive six years of utter neglect by his years of utter neglect by his years of utter neglect by his successor in his his last years tiberias successor in his his last years tiberias successor in his his last years tiberias was famously obsessed with two things was famously obsessed with two things was famously obsessed with two things one purging Rome of anything resembling one purging Rome of anything resembling one purging Rome of anything resembling a threat to his power and two indulging a threat to his power and two indulging a threat to his power and two indulging in his own increasingly um inappropriate in his own increasingly um inappropriate in his own increasingly um inappropriate fetishes we'll deal with the latter in a fetishes we'll deal with the latter in a fetishes we'll deal with the latter in a moment but as to the former in the early moment but as to the former in the early moment but as to the former in the early 30s BC tiberious Unleashed a terror on 30s BC tiberious Unleashed a terror on 30s BC tiberious Unleashed a terror on Rome that dwarfed anything perpetuated Rome that dwarfed anything perpetuated Rome that dwarfed anything perpetuated by by by sanus I've been thinking a lot about sanus I've been thinking a lot about sanus I've been thinking a lot about these cycles of violence that have been these cycles of violence that have been these cycles of violence that have been plaguing Rome for the last century I plaguing Rome for the last century I plaguing Rome for the last century I mean I searched for the word Purge in mean I searched for the word Purge in mean I searched for the word Purge in the manuscript and other than a passing the manuscript and other than a passing the manuscript and other than a passing reference to Hannibal being a virus that reference to Hannibal being a virus that reference to Hannibal being a virus that needed to be purged from the Roman body needed to be purged from the Roman body needed to be purged from the Roman body the word literally does not show up the word literally does not show up the word literally does not show up until Episode 34 Marius and solah but until Episode 34 Marius and solah but until Episode 34 Marius and solah but since then it is a vocabulary word that since then it is a vocabulary word that since then it is a vocabulary word that I've been turning to with frightening I've been turning to with frightening I've been turning to with frightening regularity Marius purges Sol's regularity Marius purges Sol's regularity Marius purges Sol's supporters solah purges marius's supporters solah purges marius's supporters solah purges marius's supporters the second triumphant purges

supporters the second triumphant purges supporters the second triumphant purges the Republicans the second trium purges the Republicans the second trium purges the Republicans the second trium purges each other Lucius sanus purges his each other Lucius sanus purges his each other Lucius sanus purges his political enemies and now tiberias is political enemies and now tiberias is political enemies and now tiberias is about to purge anyone connected to about to purge anyone connected to about to purge anyone connected to sanus Julius Caesar was the only one of sanus Julius Caesar was the only one of sanus Julius Caesar was the only one of them who refused to join in the fund and them who refused to join in the fund and them who refused to join in the fund and guess what happened to him that's right guess what happened to him that's right guess what happened to him that's right murdered on the steps of pompy's murdered on the steps of pompy's murdered on the steps of pompy's theater there is definitely something to theater there is definitely something to theater there is definitely something to be said for the Romans emerging as the be said for the Romans emerging as the be said for the Romans emerging as the dominant power in the Mediterranean in dominant power in the Mediterranean in dominant power in the Mediterranean in the mid- 100s BC annihilating the the mid- 100s BC annihilating the the mid- 100s BC annihilating the carthaginians and conquering the Greeks carthaginians and conquering the Greeks carthaginians and conquering the Greeks left the Romans with nothing to keep left the Romans with nothing to keep left the Romans with nothing to keep their politics from turning into life their politics from turning into life their politics from turning into life and death and death and death struggles no threat from a foreign other struggles no threat from a foreign other struggles no threat from a foreign other other remained to bind the competing other remained to bind the competing other remained to bind the competing political factions to one another the political factions to one another the political factions to one another the number of men and women killed in int number of men and women killed in int number of men and women killed in int Roman feuds prior to 150 BC is Roman feuds prior to 150 BC is Roman feuds prior to 150 BC is practically nil the number killed after practically nil the number killed after practically nil the number killed after too many to count and here we are again too many to count and here we are again too many to count and here we are again another round of bloody violent purges another round of bloody violent purges another round of bloody violent purges and believe me this won't be going away and believe me this won't be going away and believe me this won't be going away anytime soon with the state apparatus anytime soon with the state apparatus anytime soon with the state apparatus firmly now in the hands of a single man firmly now in the hands of a single man firmly now in the hands of a single man if that man turned out to be cruel or if that man turned out to be cruel or if that man turned out to be cruel or paranoid well the state simply followed paranoid well the state simply followed paranoid well the state simply followed his lead his lead his lead tiberias turned out to be cruel and tiberias turned out to be cruel and tiberias turned out to be cruel and paranoid and his vehicle for inflicting paranoid and his vehicle for inflicting paranoid and his vehicle for inflicting his wrath on the population of Rome was his wrath on the population of Rome was his wrath on the population of Rome was an escalation of his trees and an escalation of his trees and an escalation of his trees and trials prescriptions may have been fine trials prescriptions may have been fine trials prescriptions may have been fine for the wild days of yore but since the for the wild days of yore but since the for the wild days of yore but since the beginning of his Reign tiberias had beginning of his Reign tiberias had beginning of his Reign tiberias had slowly codified something far more slowly codified something far more slowly codified something far more horrific there is something terrible horrific there is something terrible horrific there is something terrible about being consumed by violent chaos about being consumed by violent chaos about being consumed by violent chaos but I think there is something far more

but I think there is something far more but I think there is something far more terrifying about being consumed by terrifying about being consumed by terrifying about being consumed by violent violent violent order after the rise and fall of sanus order after the rise and fall of sanus order after the rise and fall of sanus Tiberius LED his perfectly insane kofka Tiberius LED his perfectly insane kofka Tiberius LED his perfectly insane kofka esque legal system off its leash and esque legal system off its leash and esque legal system off its leash and allowed it to consume allowed it to consume allowed it to consume everyone evidence didn't matter everyone evidence didn't matter everyone evidence didn't matter rationality didn't matter all that rationality didn't matter all that rationality didn't matter all that mattered was that you had been fingered mattered was that you had been fingered mattered was that you had been fingered or knew someone who had been fingered I or knew someone who had been fingered I or knew someone who had been fingered I shudder when I think about living under shudder when I think about living under shudder when I think about living under such such such circumstances and unfortunately for the circumstances and unfortunately for the circumstances and unfortunately for the people of Rome there was little they people of Rome there was little they people of Rome there was little they could do about it as long as the could do about it as long as the could do about it as long as the leadership of the petorian guard and the leadership of the petorian guard and the leadership of the petorian guard and the frontier armies were staffed with men frontier armies were staffed with men frontier armies were staffed with men loyal to the emperor there was no loyal to the emperor there was no loyal to the emperor there was no fighting back there was a comment in the fighting back there was a comment in the fighting back there was a comment in the thread to last week's episode from thread to last week's episode from thread to last week's episode from listener Mike wondering where the rest listener Mike wondering where the rest listener Mike wondering where the rest of the Legion stood on all of this and of the Legion stood on all of this and of the Legion stood on all of this and why they didn't push back against the why they didn't push back against the why they didn't push back against the growing power of the petorian Guard the growing power of the petorian Guard the growing power of the petorian Guard the answer is that at the top the generals answer is that at the top the generals answer is that at the top the generals appointed to lead the Army were men appointed to lead the Army were men appointed to lead the Army were men chosen carefully by the emperor and chosen carefully by the emperor and chosen carefully by the emperor and their loyalty to the regime was their their loyalty to the regime was their their loyalty to the regime was their most important qualification for office most important qualification for office most important qualification for office beneath the loyal generals most of the beneath the loyal generals most of the beneath the loyal generals most of the professional officers in the armies were professional officers in the armies were professional officers in the armies were actually angling themselves for a spot actually angling themselves for a spot actually angling themselves for a spot in the petorian guard they didn't want in the petorian guard they didn't want in the petorian guard they didn't want to push back against the petorian to push back against the petorian to push back against the petorian guard's new influence they wanted to guard's new influence they wanted to guard's new influence they wanted to join in the fun so the civilian join in the fun so the civilian join in the fun so the civilian population was left at the mercy of the population was left at the mercy of the population was left at the mercy of the regime the primary targets of this round regime the primary targets of this round regime the primary targets of this round of purges were first and foremost of purges were first and foremost of purges were first and foremost families who had connections to families who had connections to families who had connections to sanus the Fallen prefect had earned sanus the Fallen prefect had earned sanus the Fallen prefect had earned himself many enemies during his rise to himself many enemies during his rise to himself many enemies during his rise to power but he also gained many friends as power but he also gained many friends as power but he also gained many friends as well with the fall of sanus those

well with the fall of sanus those well with the fall of sanus those friends joined their Patron and were friends joined their Patron and were friends joined their Patron and were themselves accused tried and convicted themselves accused tried and convicted themselves accused tried and convicted of treason some were exiled others of treason some were exiled others of treason some were exiled others committed suicide but most being unable committed suicide but most being unable committed suicide but most being unable or unwilling to escape the shame of it or unwilling to escape the shame of it or unwilling to escape the shame of it were were were executed the property as usual was executed the property as usual was executed the property as usual was seized and folded into the Imperial seized and folded into the Imperial seized and folded into the Imperial treasury but not content to focus all of treasury but not content to focus all of treasury but not content to focus all of his attention on sanus partisans his attention on sanus partisans his attention on sanus partisans tiberious also welcomed the opportunity tiberious also welcomed the opportunity tiberious also welcomed the opportunity to persecute senatorial and equestrian to persecute senatorial and equestrian to persecute senatorial and equestrian families with ties to the Julian Clan families with ties to the Julian Clan families with ties to the Julian Clan who he saw as having opposed his regime who he saw as having opposed his regime who he saw as having opposed his regime from the very beginning petorian spies from the very beginning petorian spies from the very beginning petorian spies spread themselves throughout the city spread themselves throughout the city spread themselves throughout the city and the slightest slip of the tongue say and the slightest slip of the tongue say and the slightest slip of the tongue say complaining at a party that it sure did complaining at a party that it sure did complaining at a party that it sure did stink that your old friend had just stink that your old friend had just stink that your old friend had just committed suicide after being caught up committed suicide after being caught up committed suicide after being caught up in Crazy tiberious treason trials meant in Crazy tiberious treason trials meant in Crazy tiberious treason trials meant that you yourself were about to be that you yourself were about to be that you yourself were about to be caught up in Crazy tiberious treason caught up in Crazy tiberious treason caught up in Crazy tiberious treason trials tacitus describes that the trials trials tacitus describes that the trials trials tacitus describes that the trials paid no heed to gender or Age Senior paid no heed to gender or Age Senior paid no heed to gender or Age Senior Citizens children men and women were all Citizens children men and women were all Citizens children men and women were all hauled before the courts tried and hauled before the courts tried and hauled before the courts tried and executed heaps of bodies began to pile executed heaps of bodies began to pile executed heaps of bodies began to pile up and it became a CME to even linger up and it became a CME to even linger up and it became a CME to even linger where the corpses lay and mourn a dead where the corpses lay and mourn a dead where the corpses lay and mourn a dead friend or relative for too long it also friend or relative for too long it also friend or relative for too long it also became a crime to attempt to bury or became a crime to attempt to bury or became a crime to attempt to bury or cremate The Condemned dead whose bodies cremate The Condemned dead whose bodies cremate The Condemned dead whose bodies were treated as those of common were treated as those of common were treated as those of common criminals left to rot in the streets or criminals left to rot in the streets or criminals left to rot in the streets or dragged with hooks into the Tyber dragged with hooks into the Tyber dragged with hooks into the Tyber River it was a dark time for Rome and River it was a dark time for Rome and River it was a dark time for Rome and the veil would not be lifted until the veil would not be lifted until the veil would not be lifted until tyberius was dead though we know now tyberius was dead though we know now tyberius was dead though we know now that the lifted Veil would crash right that the lifted Veil would crash right that the lifted Veil would crash right back down after Caligula arrived and

back down after Caligula arrived and back down after Caligula arrived and revealed his true colors revealed his true colors revealed his true colors while all this was going on tiberias while all this was going on tiberias while all this was going on tiberias remained on Capri approving lists of remained on Capri approving lists of remained on Capri approving lists of victims but otherwise leaving the Empire victims but otherwise leaving the Empire victims but otherwise leaving the Empire to its own to its own to its own devices so what exactly filled the hours devices so what exactly filled the hours devices so what exactly filled the hours of his day well the stories that have of his day well the stories that have of his day well the stories that have come down to us were mostly written come down to us were mostly written come down to us were mostly written after tiber's reputation had taken a after tiber's reputation had taken a after tiber's reputation had taken a nose dive so it's tough to say where nose dive so it's tough to say where nose dive so it's tough to say where fact ends and slander begins but let's fact ends and slander begins but let's fact ends and slander begins but let's just say that his inhibitions were no just say that his inhibitions were no just say that his inhibitions were no longer a factor in his longer a factor in his longer a factor in his actions this is a family podcast and and actions this is a family podcast and and actions this is a family podcast and and I Once Upon a Time marked the show as I Once Upon a Time marked the show as I Once Upon a Time marked the show as clean within the iTunes library so I clean within the iTunes library so I clean within the iTunes library so I would hate to betray that trust by would hate to betray that trust by would hate to betray that trust by describing in detail what tiberias was describing in detail what tiberias was describing in detail what tiberias was allegedly up to in the last years of his allegedly up to in the last years of his allegedly up to in the last years of his Reign but I will say that just like the Reign but I will say that just like the Reign but I will say that just like the trees and trials gender and age did not trees and trials gender and age did not trees and trials gender and age did not matter and also like the trees and matter and also like the trees and matter and also like the trees and trials his victims wound up murdered trials his victims wound up murdered trials his victims wound up murdered supposedly thrown from The Cliffs at his supposedly thrown from The Cliffs at his supposedly thrown from The Cliffs at his Villa on Capri when he grew bored with Villa on Capri when he grew bored with Villa on Capri when he grew bored with them or was simply not satisfied any them or was simply not satisfied any them or was simply not satisfied any longer the specifics of his alleged longer the specifics of his alleged longer the specifics of his alleged depravities can be found in both depravities can be found in both depravities can be found in both suetonius or tacitus if you would like a suetonius or tacitus if you would like a suetonius or tacitus if you would like a full accounting but just keep in mind full accounting but just keep in mind full accounting but just keep in mind that I think a lot of it is probably that I think a lot of it is probably that I think a lot of it is probably exaggeration the final takeaway from the exaggeration the final takeaway from the exaggeration the final takeaway from the tales of tyberius as perversions should tales of tyberius as perversions should tales of tyberius as perversions should be that by the time the second emperor be that by the time the second emperor be that by the time the second emperor of Rome was dead the people hated and of Rome was dead the people hated and of Rome was dead the people hated and despised him and were eager to utterly despised him and were eager to utterly despised him and were eager to utterly trash his trash his trash his reputation the only Silver Lining Romans reputation the only Silver Lining Romans reputation the only Silver Lining Romans could see in the horror of Tiberius his could see in the horror of Tiberius his could see in the horror of Tiberius his final years was that the old man would final years was that the old man would final years was that the old man would soon be dead and they would get a chance

soon be dead and they would get a chance soon be dead and they would get a chance to start over with a new emperor it's to start over with a new emperor it's to start over with a new emperor it's not like the X-Man could possibly be as not like the X-Man could possibly be as not like the X-Man could possibly be as bad as the old bloodthirsty pervert bad as the old bloodthirsty pervert bad as the old bloodthirsty pervert Tiberius enter to the stage please guas Tiberius enter to the stage please guas Tiberius enter to the stage please guas Julius Caesar Caligula The Man Who Would Julius Caesar Caligula The Man Who Would Julius Caesar Caligula The Man Who Would prove that you should never put your prove that you should never put your prove that you should never put your trust in the notion that at least it trust in the notion that at least it trust in the notion that at least it can't get any worse because guess what can't get any worse because guess what can't get any worse because guess what it can always get it can always get it can always get worse guas Julius Caesar the third and worse guas Julius Caesar the third and worse guas Julius Caesar the third and youngest son of germanicus and agripina youngest son of germanicus and agripina youngest son of germanicus and agripina was born in 12 ad and raised in the was born in 12 ad and raised in the was born in 12 ad and raised in the legionary legionary legionary camps it was common practice at the time camps it was common practice at the time camps it was common practice at the time for General to take his family with him for General to take his family with him for General to take his family with him on assignment so when germanicus was put on assignment so when germanicus was put on assignment so when germanicus was put in charge of the legions on the Rind in charge of the legions on the Rind in charge of the legions on the Rind following the death of Augustus his wife following the death of Augustus his wife following the death of Augustus his wife agripina and children which at this agripina and children which at this agripina and children which at this point included 8-year-old Nero point included 8-year-old Nero point included 8-year-old Nero 7-year-old drusus and 2-year-old gas 7-year-old drusus and 2-year-old gas 7-year-old drusus and 2-year-old gas went with him young gas became something went with him young gas became something went with him young gas became something of a mascot for the soldiers under of a mascot for the soldiers under of a mascot for the soldiers under germanicus command and the toddler was germanicus command and the toddler was germanicus command and the toddler was outfitted with a little armyman outfit outfitted with a little armyman outfit outfitted with a little armyman outfit that he would wear around Camp prompting that he would wear around Camp prompting that he would wear around Camp prompting the soldiers to nickname him Caligula or the soldiers to nickname him Caligula or the soldiers to nickname him Caligula or Little Boots after the Ador horrible Little Boots after the Ador horrible Little Boots after the Ador horrible versions of the sandal boots that the versions of the sandal boots that the versions of the sandal boots that the boy would March around in I should note boy would March around in I should note boy would March around in I should note at this point that while history calls at this point that while history calls at this point that while history calls him Caligula in his time as Emperor he him Caligula in his time as Emperor he him Caligula in his time as Emperor he was known simply as gas the nickname was known simply as gas the nickname was known simply as gas the nickname only came back into use after his death only came back into use after his death only came back into use after his death frequently with ironic frequently with ironic frequently with ironic derision when germanicus was reposted to derision when germanicus was reposted to derision when germanicus was reposted to Syria in 17 ad the family now joined by Syria in 17 ad the family now joined by Syria in 17 ad the family now joined by the girls agripinaa the younger and the girls agripinaa the younger and the girls agripinaa the younger and Drusilla dutifully followed along and Drusilla dutifully followed along and Drusilla dutifully followed along and when germanicus died 2 years later the

when germanicus died 2 years later the when germanicus died 2 years later the children including now the infant Julia children including now the infant Julia children including now the infant Julia lavilla returned to Rome with lavilla returned to Rome with lavilla returned to Rome with agripina the next decade would be agripina the next decade would be agripina the next decade would be difficult for agripina and her children difficult for agripina and her children difficult for agripina and her children deathly afraid that any man who married deathly afraid that any man who married deathly afraid that any man who married germanicus as Widow would immediately germanicus as Widow would immediately germanicus as Widow would immediately become a powerful rival tiberious become a powerful rival tiberious become a powerful rival tiberious forbade agripinaa to forbade agripinaa to forbade agripinaa to remarry this left the family a drift remarry this left the family a drift remarry this left the family a drift with no other patter familius than with no other patter familius than with no other patter familius than tiberias himself who hated and feared tiberias himself who hated and feared tiberias himself who hated and feared the whole lot of them Caligula managed the whole lot of them Caligula managed the whole lot of them Caligula managed to stay below tiberi's radar when the to stay below tiberi's radar when the to stay below tiberi's radar when the paranoid old man decided he he couldn't paranoid old man decided he he couldn't paranoid old man decided he he couldn't stand the family any longer and stand the family any longer and stand the family any longer and prosecuted for treason agripina and the prosecuted for treason agripina and the prosecuted for treason agripina and the two Elder boys Nero and two Elder boys Nero and two Elder boys Nero and drusus with their mother and Elder drusus with their mother and Elder drusus with their mother and Elder Brothers dead the remaining children Brothers dead the remaining children Brothers dead the remaining children were shunted off to live with their were shunted off to live with their were shunted off to live with their grandmother Antonia who looked after grandmother Antonia who looked after grandmother Antonia who looked after them for the next few years the girls them for the next few years the girls them for the next few years the girls were one by one married off at tiberias were one by one married off at tiberias were one by one married off at tiberias is orders while Caligula remained in a is orders while Caligula remained in a is orders while Caligula remained in a sort of sort of sort of limbo after the fall of sanus though limbo after the fall of sanus though limbo after the fall of sanus though tiberias gave enough passing thought to tiberias gave enough passing thought to tiberias gave enough passing thought to a successor that he called for Caligula a successor that he called for Caligula a successor that he called for Caligula to come live with him on pre the young to come live with him on pre the young to come live with him on pre the young future Emperor seems to have managed to future Emperor seems to have managed to future Emperor seems to have managed to avoid Crossing tiberias during the six avoid Crossing tiberias during the six avoid Crossing tiberias during the six years he spent as a virtual prisoner on years he spent as a virtual prisoner on years he spent as a virtual prisoner on the island by repressing all the fear the island by repressing all the fear the island by repressing all the fear and resentment he likely felt towards and resentment he likely felt towards and resentment he likely felt towards the old man and pretended to be nothing the old man and pretended to be nothing the old man and pretended to be nothing less than the pliant servant of the less than the pliant servant of the less than the pliant servant of the Aging Aging Aging emperor in 3380 Caligula was given an emperor in 3380 Caligula was given an emperor in 3380 Caligula was given an honorary quter ship the only official honorary quter ship the only official honorary quter ship the only official office he would hold before becoming the office he would hold before becoming the office he would hold before becoming the supreme ruler of the Empire and also in supreme ruler of the Empire and also in supreme ruler of the Empire and also in that year he married Junia cadilla

that year he married Junia cadilla that year he married Junia cadilla though the union would only survive though the union would only survive though the union would only survive until juni's death and child birth a until juni's death and child birth a until juni's death and child birth a year year year later in 35 ad tiberious changed his later in 35 ad tiberious changed his later in 35 ad tiberious changed his will to take some account for succession will to take some account for succession will to take some account for succession ordering that his estate and thus the ordering that his estate and thus the ordering that his estate and thus the throne jointly fall to Caligula and throne jointly fall to Caligula and throne jointly fall to Caligula and Tiberius his grandson Tiberius GIS the Tiberius his grandson Tiberius GIS the Tiberius his grandson Tiberius GIS the only surviving son of the ill-fated only surviving son of the ill-fated only surviving son of the ill-fated marriage between drusus and marriage between drusus and marriage between drusus and lavilla unlike Augustus who had obsessed lavilla unlike Augustus who had obsessed lavilla unlike Augustus who had obsessed over succession and spent a great deal over succession and spent a great deal over succession and spent a great deal of his energy readying his potential of his energy readying his potential of his energy readying his potential successors first marcelus then Tiberius successors first marcelus then Tiberius successors first marcelus then Tiberius and drusus then gas and Lucius Tiberius and drusus then gas and Lucius Tiberius and drusus then gas and Lucius Tiberius seems to have done nothing to prepare seems to have done nothing to prepare seems to have done nothing to prepare ciglar Gis for Imperial responsibility ciglar Gis for Imperial responsibility ciglar Gis for Imperial responsibility GIS at this point was barely even a GIS at this point was barely even a GIS at this point was barely even a teenager in 37 ad death finally came teenager in 37 ad death finally came teenager in 37 ad death finally came knocking for tiberias though the details knocking for tiberias though the details knocking for tiberias though the details of his final moments are the source of of his final moments are the source of of his final moments are the source of some some some debate some sources claim that the now debate some sources claim that the now debate some sources claim that the now 77-year-old Emperor who had ruled Rome 77-year-old Emperor who had ruled Rome 77-year-old Emperor who had ruled Rome for 23 years simply passed away in his for 23 years simply passed away in his for 23 years simply passed away in his sleep another more colorful account is sleep another more colorful account is sleep another more colorful account is that the emperor was reported to have that the emperor was reported to have that the emperor was reported to have finally succumb to a fatal illness which finally succumb to a fatal illness which finally succumb to a fatal illness which prompted the people of Rome to begin prompted the people of Rome to begin prompted the people of Rome to begin celebrating his death but then another celebrating his death but then another celebrating his death but then another report followed right on the heels of report followed right on the heels of report followed right on the heels of the first stating that the emperor had the first stating that the emperor had the first stating that the emperor had actually recovered then a third and actually recovered then a third and actually recovered then a third and final report came stating that the final report came stating that the final report came stating that the emperor's recovery was a fiction and emperor's recovery was a fiction and emperor's recovery was a fiction and that he had in fact that he had in fact that he had in fact died this last report was issued by the died this last report was issued by the died this last report was issued by the petorian prefect Navia sutorius macro petorian prefect Navia sutorius macro petorian prefect Navia sutorius macro who had gone in to confirm for himself

who had gone in to confirm for himself who had gone in to confirm for himself the death of the emperor and by confirm the death of the emperor and by confirm the death of the emperor and by confirm the death of the emperor himself I of the death of the emperor himself I of the death of the emperor himself I of course mean smother with a pillow the course mean smother with a pillow the course mean smother with a pillow the weak but fully recovered weak but fully recovered weak but fully recovered tiberias a third version of the story tiberias a third version of the story tiberias a third version of the story points to Caligula as the murderer but points to Caligula as the murderer but points to Caligula as the murderer but since this version was recounted by Kula since this version was recounted by Kula since this version was recounted by Kula himself and an attempt to be seen as the himself and an attempt to be seen as the himself and an attempt to be seen as the man who finally delivered Rome from his man who finally delivered Rome from his man who finally delivered Rome from his Wicked grandfather I think we can safely Wicked grandfather I think we can safely Wicked grandfather I think we can safely dismiss this version Caligula was also dismiss this version Caligula was also dismiss this version Caligula was also fond of telling people that he used to fond of telling people that he used to fond of telling people that he used to creep into tiberi's room at night and creep into tiberi's room at night and creep into tiberi's room at night and stand stand over the sleeping Emperor stand stand over the sleeping Emperor stand stand over the sleeping Emperor with a brandish knife and would refrain with a brandish knife and would refrain with a brandish knife and would refrain from doing what he felt was right namely from doing what he felt was right namely from doing what he felt was right namely murdering the evil tiberious only at the murdering the evil tiberious only at the murdering the evil tiberious only at the behest of the Divine Augustus whose behest of the Divine Augustus whose behest of the Divine Augustus whose voice commanded him to be patient and voice commanded him to be patient and voice commanded him to be patient and let nature take its course yeah Caligula let nature take its course yeah Caligula let nature take its course yeah Caligula was a was a was a nuts however it happened tiberias was nuts however it happened tiberias was nuts however it happened tiberias was dead and the people rejoiced such was dead and the people rejoiced such was dead and the people rejoiced such was the depth of their hatred for him that the depth of their hatred for him that the depth of their hatred for him that rather than calling for elaborate rather than calling for elaborate rather than calling for elaborate funeral arrangements they simply cried funeral arrangements they simply cried funeral arrangements they simply cried out to the Tyber with t out to the Tyber with t out to the Tyber with t ious they wanted to do to him what he ious they wanted to do to him what he ious they wanted to do to him what he had done to them and treat his body as had done to them and treat his body as had done to them and treat his body as nothing more than a corpse of a criminal nothing more than a corpse of a criminal nothing more than a corpse of a criminal drag it through the streets of Rome on drag it through the streets of Rome on drag it through the streets of Rome on hooks and then deposit it hooks and then deposit it hooks and then deposit it unceremoniously into the river the unceremoniously into the river the unceremoniously into the river the people did not get their way though and people did not get their way though and people did not get their way though and a formal funeral and cremation were a formal funeral and cremation were a formal funeral and cremation were arranged but tiberias was conspicuously arranged but tiberias was conspicuously arranged but tiberias was conspicuously not granted the same Divine honors the not granted the same Divine honors the not granted the same Divine honors the senate had tripped over itself bestowing senate had tripped over itself bestowing senate had tripped over itself bestowing upon upon upon Augustus though tiberias is Will Augustus though tiberias is Will Augustus though tiberias is Will specified that Caligula and GIS should specified that Caligula and GIS should specified that Caligula and GIS should jointly rule the Empire Caligula had no

jointly rule the Empire Caligula had no jointly rule the Empire Caligula had no interest in Sharing power the shrinking interest in Sharing power the shrinking interest in Sharing power the shrinking violet mask he had worn for years to violet mask he had worn for years to violet mask he had worn for years to avoid tiber's wrath was Now cast aside avoid tiber's wrath was Now cast aside avoid tiber's wrath was Now cast aside having likely arranged in advance with having likely arranged in advance with having likely arranged in advance with macro that when the day came the macro that when the day came the macro that when the day came the petorian prefect would figure petorian prefect would figure petorian prefect would figure prominently in the new regime if the prominently in the new regime if the prominently in the new regime if the guard declared for Caligula and Caligula guard declared for Caligula and Caligula guard declared for Caligula and Caligula alone gelis was immediately locked out alone gelis was immediately locked out alone gelis was immediately locked out of his inheritance when tiberious died of his inheritance when tiberious died of his inheritance when tiberious died the young man turned out to be one of the young man turned out to be one of the young man turned out to be one of the first victims of Caligula's Reign the first victims of Caligula's Reign the first victims of Caligula's Reign and did not survive the year first he and did not survive the year first he and did not survive the year first he was denied his inheritance then he was was denied his inheritance then he was was denied his inheritance then he was put under something resembling house put under something resembling house put under something resembling house arrest then he was executed for arrest then he was executed for arrest then he was executed for allegedly conspiring against the new allegedly conspiring against the new allegedly conspiring against the new regime the boy's unhappy Destiny it regime the boy's unhappy Destiny it regime the boy's unhappy Destiny it seems was to live as a prisoner of two seems was to live as a prisoner of two seems was to live as a prisoner of two Emperors before finally being murdered Emperors before finally being murdered Emperors before finally being murdered at the tender age of 18 guilty of at the tender age of 18 guilty of at the tender age of 18 guilty of nothing more than being born into the nothing more than being born into the nothing more than being born into the wrong family at the wrong wrong family at the wrong wrong family at the wrong time after freezing out GIS Caligula time after freezing out GIS Caligula time after freezing out GIS Caligula made preparations to give the people of made preparations to give the people of made preparations to give the people of Rome something they had not not seen Rome something they had not not seen Rome something they had not not seen more than a decade a personal appearance more than a decade a personal appearance more than a decade a personal appearance by their Emperor the Imperial house he by their Emperor the Imperial house he by their Emperor the Imperial house he announced was returning from announced was returning from announced was returning from Exile the people were ecstatic at the Exile the people were ecstatic at the Exile the people were ecstatic at the news and when Caligula arrived they news and when Caligula arrived they news and when Caligula arrived they lined the roads out to the 20th mile lined the roads out to the 20th mile lined the roads out to the 20th mile poost to greet him when they saw the new poost to greet him when they saw the new poost to greet him when they saw the new emperor they shouted at him every pet emperor they shouted at him every pet emperor they shouted at him every pet name they could think of calling him our name they could think of calling him our name they could think of calling him our Prince and our star and of course little Prince and our star and of course little Prince and our star and of course little boots with the handsome 24-year-old son boots with the handsome 24-year-old son boots with the handsome 24-year-old son of germanicus ascending to the throne it of germanicus ascending to the throne it of germanicus ascending to the throne it seemed like things were about to change seemed like things were about to change seemed like things were about to change for the better that it might go back to

for the better that it might go back to for the better that it might go back to the way that it had been under Augustus the way that it had been under Augustus the way that it had been under Augustus it was reported that over 150,000 animal it was reported that over 150,000 animal it was reported that over 150,000 animal sacrifices were made across the Empire sacrifices were made across the Empire sacrifices were made across the Empire to celebrate the good to celebrate the good to celebrate the good news and at first Caligula's Ascension news and at first Caligula's Ascension news and at first Caligula's Ascension really was good news he immediately really was good news he immediately really was good news he immediately canceled the treason trials and made a canceled the treason trials and made a canceled the treason trials and made a very public show of gathering all the very public show of gathering all the very public show of gathering all the records and evidence that had been records and evidence that had been records and evidence that had been gathered by tiberious as spies and gathered by tiberious as spies and gathered by tiberious as spies and burning it all in a great public burning it all in a great public burning it all in a great public bonfire those who had managed to survive bonfire those who had managed to survive bonfire those who had managed to survive Survive by going into Exile were Survive by going into Exile were Survive by going into Exile were recalled to Rome and pardoned of recalled to Rome and pardoned of recalled to Rome and pardoned of whatever crime they had been charged whatever crime they had been charged whatever crime they had been charged with or convicted with or convicted with or convicted of suetonius even recounts an episode of suetonius even recounts an episode of suetonius even recounts an episode where Caligula went so far as to refuse where Caligula went so far as to refuse where Caligula went so far as to refuse to even read a report supposedly to even read a report supposedly to even read a report supposedly outlining a plot against him to explain outlining a plot against him to explain outlining a plot against him to explain his decision the emperor simply said his decision the emperor simply said his decision the emperor simply said that since no one had any reason to hate that since no one had any reason to hate that since no one had any reason to hate him he didn't have time to read such him he didn't have time to read such him he didn't have time to read such idle idle idle memoranda and at this point he was memoranda and at this point he was memoranda and at this point he was probably more right about that than probably more right about that than probably more right about that than wrong the people of Rome no longer wrong the people of Rome no longer wrong the people of Rome no longer feared d for their lives and property feared d for their lives and property feared d for their lives and property thanks to Caligula it's hard to hate a thanks to Caligula it's hard to hate a thanks to Caligula it's hard to hate a guy for making you feel safe in your own guy for making you feel safe in your own guy for making you feel safe in your own home home home again Caligula then went further he again Caligula then went further he again Caligula then went further he canceled an unpopular tax the Italians canceled an unpopular tax the Italians canceled an unpopular tax the Italians had been chafing under while had been chafing under while had been chafing under while simultaneously upping the pay for simultaneously upping the pay for simultaneously upping the pay for soldiers on the frontier and in the soldiers on the frontier and in the soldiers on the frontier and in the petorian petorian petorian guard he also reinstated a few of the guard he also reinstated a few of the guard he also reinstated a few of the provisional client monarchs who had been provisional client monarchs who had been provisional client monarchs who had been deposed by tiberias for spous reasons deposed by tiberias for spous reasons deposed by tiberias for spous reasons and not only gave them their power back and not only gave them their power back and not only gave them their power back but promised them the tax receipts they but promised them the tax receipts they but promised them the tax receipts they would have received had they not been would have received had they not been would have received had they not been removed from removed from removed from power to top off his generous arrival to

power to top off his generous arrival to power to top off his generous arrival to the throne kigal initiated lavish the throne kigal initiated lavish the throne kigal initiated lavish gladiatorial games to celebrate the gladiatorial games to celebrate the gladiatorial games to celebrate the dawning of this new day at all levels of dawning of this new day at all levels of dawning of this new day at all levels of the Empire from the common citizens to the Empire from the common citizens to the Empire from the common citizens to the middleclass merchants to the rich the middleclass merchants to the rich the middleclass merchants to the rich aristocracy to the soldiers in the field aristocracy to the soldiers in the field aristocracy to the soldiers in the field and the provincials they defended and the provincials they defended and the provincials they defended Emperor Caligula was a godsend the pious Emperor Caligula was a godsend the pious Emperor Caligula was a godsend the pious young Emperor then gathered up the bones young Emperor then gathered up the bones young Emperor then gathered up the bones of his dead mother and brothers and of his dead mother and brothers and of his dead mother and brothers and brought them back to Rome for burial in brought them back to Rome for burial in brought them back to Rome for burial in the Imperial Ma Liam and finally he the Imperial Ma Liam and finally he the Imperial Ma Liam and finally he renamed the month of September for his renamed the month of September for his renamed the month of September for his dear departed father dear departed father dear departed father germanicus yep everything was going a germanicus yep everything was going a germanicus yep everything was going a okay okay okay okay so the question is what happened okay so the question is what happened okay so the question is what happened well apparently behind the happy facade well apparently behind the happy facade well apparently behind the happy facade all was not well in the house of all was not well in the house of all was not well in the house of Caesar Caligula had never been given the Caesar Caligula had never been given the Caesar Caligula had never been given the training he needed to really be an training he needed to really be an training he needed to really be an effective ruler he had no experienc in effective ruler he had no experienc in effective ruler he had no experienc in administration had not served in the administration had not served in the administration had not served in the legions and had been given no real legions and had been given no real legions and had been given no real responsibilities of his own until the responsibilities of his own until the responsibilities of his own until the moment he became emperor his early moment he became emperor his early moment he became emperor his early political success seems to have been political success seems to have been political success seems to have been built largely by his doing nothing more built largely by his doing nothing more built largely by his doing nothing more than give the people whatever they than give the people whatever they than give the people whatever they wanted lower taxes sure more benefits wanted lower taxes sure more benefits wanted lower taxes sure more benefits sure higher pay for the army of course sure higher pay for the army of course sure higher pay for the army of course lavish games and free grain for the mobs lavish games and free grain for the mobs lavish games and free grain for the mobs I wouldn't think of doing anything less I wouldn't think of doing anything less I wouldn't think of doing anything less it was a completely unsustainable it was a completely unsustainable it was a completely unsustainable combination of policies of course but it combination of policies of course but it combination of policies of course but it seems that the only thing Caligula seems that the only thing Caligula seems that the only thing Caligula learned at tiberious as need during learned at tiberious as need during learned at tiberious as need during their six years together was that being their six years together was that being their six years together was that being Emperor meant doing what you wanted when Emperor meant doing what you wanted when Emperor meant doing what you wanted when you wanted with whomever you wanted now

you wanted with whomever you wanted now you wanted with whomever you wanted now think about maintaining steady revenue think about maintaining steady revenue think about maintaining steady revenue streams or limiting expenditures to streams or limiting expenditures to streams or limiting expenditures to justifiable ends or striking a balance justifiable ends or striking a balance justifiable ends or striking a balance between needs and wants Caligula between needs and wants Caligula between needs and wants Caligula basically just said yes to anything and basically just said yes to anything and basically just said yes to anything and everything no matter how contradictory everything no matter how contradictory everything no matter how contradictory all those things turned out to all those things turned out to all those things turned out to be with this public policy Time Bomb be with this public policy Time Bomb be with this public policy Time Bomb ticking in the background Caligula ticking in the background Caligula ticking in the background Caligula followed in tiberias footsteps and began followed in tiberias footsteps and began followed in tiberias footsteps and began indulging excess mely in wine women food indulging excess mely in wine women food indulging excess mely in wine women food and games the hard living may have and games the hard living may have and games the hard living may have caught up with him because in October of caught up with him because in October of caught up with him because in October of 37 just 6 months after rising to power 37 just 6 months after rising to power 37 just 6 months after rising to power Caligula was struck down by a serious Caligula was struck down by a serious Caligula was struck down by a serious illness and nearly died the people were illness and nearly died the people were illness and nearly died the people were distraught at the news and Prayers and distraught at the news and Prayers and distraught at the news and Prayers and Promises of every shape and form were Promises of every shape and form were Promises of every shape and form were sent up to the gods to beg them for the sent up to the gods to beg them for the sent up to the gods to beg them for the safe return of their new emperor safe return of their new emperor safe return of their new emperor famously a few Senators promised to famously a few Senators promised to famously a few Senators promised to trade their own lives for culas if only trade their own lives for culas if only trade their own lives for culas if only the emperor recovered basically these the emperor recovered basically these the emperor recovered basically these were the same empty promises that are were the same empty promises that are were the same empty promises that are often made on deathbeds oh Jupiter take often made on deathbeds oh Jupiter take often made on deathbeds oh Jupiter take me instead that sort of thing but then me instead that sort of thing but then me instead that sort of thing but then Cula Cula Cula recovered now a few of the ancient recovered now a few of the ancient recovered now a few of the ancient sources don't draw a one-o-one causal sources don't draw a one-o-one causal sources don't draw a one-o-one causal link between the illness and the link between the illness and the link between the illness and the subsequent Madness of Caligula's Reign subsequent Madness of Caligula's Reign subsequent Madness of Caligula's Reign but a few do point to the event as the but a few do point to the event as the but a few do point to the event as the decisive turning point and certainly if decisive turning point and certainly if decisive turning point and certainly if you were to ask the Senators who had you were to ask the Senators who had you were to ask the Senators who had pledged their lives in a moment of pledged their lives in a moment of pledged their lives in a moment of melodramatic piety they would tell you melodramatic piety they would tell you melodramatic piety they would tell you that the col who went in was not the that the col who went in was not the that the col who went in was not the same as the Caligula who came same as the Caligula who came same as the Caligula who came out because when the emperor recovered

out because when the emperor recovered out because when the emperor recovered and learned of their generous offers he and learned of their generous offers he and learned of their generous offers he supposedly took them at their word how supposedly took them at their word how supposedly took them at their word how nice that you pledged your life so that nice that you pledged your life so that nice that you pledged your life so that I may live I'm just wondering then what I may live I'm just wondering then what I may live I'm just wondering then what are you still doing here shouldn't you are you still doing here shouldn't you are you still doing here shouldn't you be at home committing suicide after all be at home committing suicide after all be at home committing suicide after all what will the gods do if you break your what will the gods do if you break your what will the gods do if you break your oath pale-faced and in shock the oath pale-faced and in shock the oath pale-faced and in shock the unfortunate senators in question had unfortunate senators in question had unfortunate senators in question had little recourse but to follow through on little recourse but to follow through on little recourse but to follow through on their once empty prom their once empty prom their once empty prom th in I Claudius A Caligula's recovery th in I Claudius A Caligula's recovery th in I Claudius A Caligula's recovery from his illness is portrayed as the from his illness is portrayed as the from his illness is portrayed as the Catalyst for his delusions of godhood Catalyst for his delusions of godhood Catalyst for his delusions of godhood but the scattered accounts we have of but the scattered accounts we have of but the scattered accounts we have of his Reign don't show him moving his Reign don't show him moving his Reign don't show him moving decisively towards self-deification decisively towards self-deification decisively towards self-deification until a few years later so though the until a few years later so though the until a few years later so though the illness is a convenient place to point illness is a convenient place to point illness is a convenient place to point to and say before this line good after to and say before this line good after to and say before this line good after this line bad it is probably more this line bad it is probably more this line bad it is probably more complicated than that I however will complicated than that I however will complicated than that I however will take it as a convenient place to stop take it as a convenient place to stop take it as a convenient place to stop this week's episode this week's episode this week's episode next week we'll get into the guts of next week we'll get into the guts of next week we'll get into the guts of Caligula's short and brutal Reign though Caligula's short and brutal Reign though Caligula's short and brutal Reign though he was Emperor for just four years that he was Emperor for just four years that he was Emperor for just four years that proved time enough to Mark him as one of proved time enough to Mark him as one of proved time enough to Mark him as one of if not the most infamous ruler in Roman if not the most infamous ruler in Roman if not the most infamous ruler in Roman history incest murder rape and theft are history incest murder rape and theft are history incest murder rape and theft are all the calling cards of Caligula and all the calling cards of Caligula and all the calling cards of Caligula and next week we'll do our best to separate next week we'll do our best to separate next week we'll do our best to separate myth from fact I mean did this psycho myth from fact I mean did this psycho myth from fact I mean did this psycho really try to have his horse named Consul before we go this week though I'm Consul before we go this week though I'm going to take another personal moment as going to take another personal moment as going to take another personal moment as today is Father's day here in the United today is Father's day here in the United today is Father's day here in the United States dad wherever and whenever you get

States dad wherever and whenever you get States dad wherever and whenever you get this episode Happy Father's Day I love this episode Happy Father's Day I love this episode Happy Father's Day I love you too though I plan to show you zero you too though I plan to show you zero you too though I plan to show you zero Mercy in this week's Granda D Herms epic Mercy in this week's Granda D Herms epic Mercy in this week's Granda D Herms epic battle for second place in the western battle for second place in the western battle for second place in the western amateur tball amateur tball amateur tball [Music] [Music] [Music] League hello and welcome to the history League hello and welcome to the history League hello and welcome to the history of of of Rome episode 60 no better slave no worse Rome episode 60 no better slave no worse Rome episode 60 no better slave no worse Master the honeymoon lasted for about 6 Master the honeymoon lasted for about 6 Master the honeymoon lasted for about 6 months the brief window of optimism that months the brief window of optimism that months the brief window of optimism that opened with the death of tiberias was opened with the death of tiberias was opened with the death of tiberias was slammed Shut by Caligula before the year slammed Shut by Caligula before the year slammed Shut by Caligula before the year was out the half year between Tiberius was out the half year between Tiberius was out the half year between Tiberius his death and Caligula's nearly fatal his death and Caligula's nearly fatal his death and Caligula's nearly fatal illness can be described as the period illness can be described as the period illness can be described as the period after which the Romans had jumped from after which the Romans had jumped from after which the Romans had jumped from the frying pan but before they hit the the frying pan but before they hit the the frying pan but before they hit the fire because as it turns out that while fire because as it turns out that while fire because as it turns out that while tiberias was cruel paranoid and tiberias was cruel paranoid and tiberias was cruel paranoid and calculating Caligula was simply mad as a calculating Caligula was simply mad as a calculating Caligula was simply mad as a Hatter now I think most of us even those Hatter now I think most of us even those Hatter now I think most of us even those who are relatively new to Roman history who are relatively new to Roman history who are relatively new to Roman history know that Caligula was up to some pretty know that Caligula was up to some pretty know that Caligula was up to some pretty rotten stuff even people I know who have rotten stuff even people I know who have rotten stuff even people I know who have no interest in history whatsoever no interest in history whatsoever no interest in history whatsoever generally know for example that a pretty generally know for example that a pretty generally know for example that a pretty disturbing flick called Caligula came disturbing flick called Caligula came disturbing flick called Caligula came out once upon a time and that the guy out once upon a time and that the guy out once upon a time and that the guy had to be pretty messed up for the movie had to be pretty messed up for the movie had to be pretty messed up for the movie based on his life to Jin up so much based on his life to Jin up so much based on his life to Jin up so much controversy which is true incoherent as controversy which is true incoherent as controversy which is true incoherent as it is cigal the movie does do a pretty it is cigal the movie does do a pretty it is cigal the movie does do a pretty good job capturing the essence of the good job capturing the essence of the good job capturing the essence of the man as portrayed by the ancient

man as portrayed by the ancient man as portrayed by the ancient historians but the question is then how historians but the question is then how historians but the question is then how accurate were those ancient historians accurate were those ancient historians accurate were those ancient historians should we really believe every detail should we really believe every detail should we really believe every detail that has been handed down to us as that has been handed down to us as that has been handed down to us as objective truth or should we take some objective truth or should we take some objective truth or should we take some of it with a grain of of it with a grain of of it with a grain of salt unfortunately we've lost the salt unfortunately we've lost the salt unfortunately we've lost the relevant chapters from tacitus who is relevant chapters from tacitus who is relevant chapters from tacitus who is generally the most reliable source for generally the most reliable source for generally the most reliable source for information on the early Imperial period information on the early Imperial period information on the early Imperial period and were left with a combination of and were left with a combination of and were left with a combination of suetonius and Casas Dio both of whom are suetonius and Casas Dio both of whom are suetonius and Casas Dio both of whom are writing well after the fact and the writing well after the fact and the writing well after the fact and the Contemporary passing accounts of Pho of Contemporary passing accounts of Pho of Contemporary passing accounts of Pho of Alexandria and senica both of whom have Alexandria and senica both of whom have Alexandria and senica both of whom have their own individual bones to pick with their own individual bones to pick with their own individual bones to pick with the Mad the Mad the Mad emperor in his sex in the ancient world emperor in his sex in the ancient world emperor in his sex in the ancient world John J younger points out that Romans John J younger points out that Romans John J younger points out that Romans would often use Tales of sexual deviancy would often use Tales of sexual deviancy would often use Tales of sexual deviancy to emphasize how bad a public official to emphasize how bad a public official to emphasize how bad a public official was the way that we might say that some was the way that we might say that some was the way that we might say that some despised ruler regularly kicks puppies despised ruler regularly kicks puppies despised ruler regularly kicks puppies or refuses to call his mother on her or refuses to call his mother on her or refuses to call his mother on her birthday so with everyone agreeing that birthday so with everyone agreeing that birthday so with everyone agreeing that Caligula had psychological issues and Caligula had psychological issues and Caligula had psychological issues and that he was a train wreck of an emperor that he was a train wreck of an emperor that he was a train wreck of an emperor it is not surprising that his biography it is not surprising that his biography it is not surprising that his biography has become packed with deviant sexual has become packed with deviant sexual has become packed with deviant sexual activity the same basic Dynamic by the activity the same basic Dynamic by the activity the same basic Dynamic by the way is at play with biographies of way is at play with biographies of way is at play with biographies of tiberious and will be at Play Again when tiberious and will be at Play Again when tiberious and will be at Play Again when we get to Nero and his alleged edipo we get to Nero and his alleged edipo we get to Nero and his alleged edipo relationship with his mother relationship with his mother relationship with his mother agripina so I'm sure that there's a lot agripina so I'm sure that there's a lot agripina so I'm sure that there's a lot that the ancient historians got right that the ancient historians got right that the ancient historians got right about Caligula but much of it is about Caligula but much of it is about Caligula but much of it is undoubtedly exaggeration when cular recovered from exaggeration when cular recovered from his illness in late 37 his personality his illness in late 37 his personality his illness in late 37 his personality either changed dramatically or more either changed dramatically or more either changed dramatically or more likely who he was simply began to break

likely who he was simply began to break likely who he was simply began to break through the Magnificent glow the people through the Magnificent glow the people through the Magnificent glow the people had shrouded him in in the wake of had shrouded him in in the wake of had shrouded him in in the wake of tiberias the Romans were quick to tiberias the Romans were quick to tiberias the Romans were quick to project their own needs onto this savior project their own needs onto this savior project their own needs onto this savior Caligula so I think it's quite likely Caligula so I think it's quite likely Caligula so I think it's quite likely that he was the same man throughout it's that he was the same man throughout it's that he was the same man throughout it's just that nobody was really ready to just that nobody was really ready to just that nobody was really ready to notice what a crazy Craton he was until notice what a crazy Craton he was until notice what a crazy Craton he was until the initial honeymoon period was over I the initial honeymoon period was over I the initial honeymoon period was over I mean he had been dealt blow after mean he had been dealt blow after mean he had been dealt blow after traumatic blow his entire life and had traumatic blow his entire life and had traumatic blow his entire life and had spent years thoroughly repressed sucking spent years thoroughly repressed sucking spent years thoroughly repressed sucking up to the man who had killed his father up to the man who had killed his father up to the man who had killed his father his mother and his two brothers so I his mother and his two brothers so I his mother and his two brothers so I don't think that Caligula needed don't think that Caligula needed don't think that Caligula needed anything so dramatic as a near-death anything so dramatic as a near-death anything so dramatic as a near-death experience to go off the deep end experience to go off the deep end experience to go off the deep end Imperial slaves who spent more time Imperial slaves who spent more time Imperial slaves who spent more time around the boy than anyone certainly around the boy than anyone certainly around the boy than anyone certainly would have agreed that Caligula needed would have agreed that Caligula needed would have agreed that Caligula needed no illness to become no illness to become no illness to become unhinged watching him alternate between unhinged watching him alternate between unhinged watching him alternate between the plant and passive servant of the plant and passive servant of the plant and passive servant of tiberias and the sadistic teenager who tiberias and the sadistic teenager who tiberias and the sadistic teenager who relaxed by witnessing the be meetings relaxed by witnessing the be meetings relaxed by witnessing the be meetings and executions that occurred regularly and executions that occurred regularly and executions that occurred regularly at the Imperial Villa on Capri the at the Imperial Villa on Capri the at the Imperial Villa on Capri the slaves reported that concerning gas slaves reported that concerning gas slaves reported that concerning gas there was no better slave and no worse there was no better slave and no worse there was no better slave and no worse Master now that he was Emperor he was Master now that he was Emperor he was Master now that he was Emperor he was the slave to no man and it was all no the slave to no man and it was all no the slave to no man and it was all no worse master from here on out so let's worse master from here on out so let's worse master from here on out so let's jump on into the fun house of horrors jump on into the fun house of horrors jump on into the fun house of horrors shall shall shall we we should probably get the most we we should probably get the most we we should probably get the most famous rumor about cigal out of the way famous rumor about cigal out of the way famous rumor about cigal out of the way early and that is that he was engaged in early and that is that he was engaged in early and that is that he was engaged in incestual relationships with sisters incestual relationships with sisters incestual relationships with sisters Julia lavilla agripina and particularly Julia lavilla agripina and particularly Julia lavilla agripina and particularly his favorite Drew Silla the charges like his favorite Drew Silla the charges like his favorite Drew Silla the charges like I say likely spring from the fact that

I say likely spring from the fact that I say likely spring from the fact that later unhappiness with Caligula led to later unhappiness with Caligula led to later unhappiness with Caligula led to some serious character some serious character some serious character assassination but it's worth noting that assassination but it's worth noting that assassination but it's worth noting that the perception of incest was not made up the perception of incest was not made up the perception of incest was not made up out of whole cloth it is understandable out of whole cloth it is understandable out of whole cloth it is understandable that kigal and his sisters suffering as that kigal and his sisters suffering as that kigal and his sisters suffering as orphans together would be closer than orphans together would be closer than orphans together would be closer than your average set of siblings but your average set of siblings but your average set of siblings but Caligula appears to have taken things to Caligula appears to have taken things to Caligula appears to have taken things to an extreme an extreme an extreme the emperor for example seems to have the emperor for example seems to have the emperor for example seems to have had an atypical married life he was had an atypical married life he was had an atypical married life he was married four times in his short life married four times in his short life married four times in his short life with his first wife dying in child birth with his first wife dying in child birth with his first wife dying in child birth and his second and third Wives coming and his second and third Wives coming and his second and third Wives coming and going within a matter of months the and going within a matter of months the and going within a matter of months the constant matrons of Caligula's house constant matrons of Caligula's house constant matrons of Caligula's house then in the early part of his Reign were then in the early part of his Reign were then in the early part of his Reign were not his wives but rather his sisters not his wives but rather his sisters not his wives but rather his sisters particularly like I say particularly like I say particularly like I say Drusilla his relationship with Drusilla Drusilla his relationship with Drusilla Drusilla his relationship with Drusilla was so close in fact that during his was so close in fact that during his was so close in fact that during his Bachelor periods between wives Caligula Bachelor periods between wives Caligula Bachelor periods between wives Caligula assu the custom of rotating hostesses assu the custom of rotating hostesses assu the custom of rotating hostesses for his dinner parties instead sticking for his dinner parties instead sticking for his dinner parties instead sticking exclusively with Drusilla in effect exclusively with Drusilla in effect exclusively with Drusilla in effect saying that she is my wife however there saying that she is my wife however there saying that she is my wife however there is no solid evidence of sexual activity is no solid evidence of sexual activity is no solid evidence of sexual activity between the two and coupled with this between the two and coupled with this between the two and coupled with this more General Embrace of living godhood more General Embrace of living godhood more General Embrace of living godhood it looks like he may have just been it looks like he may have just been it looks like he may have just been playing out the kind of sister brother playing out the kind of sister brother playing out the kind of sister brother husband wife Dynamic seen in many husband wife Dynamic seen in many husband wife Dynamic seen in many Eastern religions but the very public Eastern religions but the very public Eastern religions but the very public role Drilla took on as Caligula's role Drilla took on as Caligula's role Drilla took on as Caligula's primary female companion makes it a not primary female companion makes it a not primary female companion makes it a not particularly hard leap to believe that particularly hard leap to believe that particularly hard leap to believe that maybe something was going on behind maybe something was going on behind maybe something was going on behind closed closed closed doors not long before her death which doors not long before her death which doors not long before her death which we'll get to in a moment Caligula we'll get to in a moment Caligula we'll get to in a moment Caligula further demanded that she' be included further demanded that she' be included further demanded that she' be included in the Oaths taken by legionary soldiers

in the Oaths taken by legionary soldiers in the Oaths taken by legionary soldiers when swearing to protect the emperor when swearing to protect the emperor when swearing to protect the emperor again in effect saying that she was to again in effect saying that she was to again in effect saying that she was to be considered his wife so while the be considered his wife so while the be considered his wife so while the incest rap may be a bad one Caligula incest rap may be a bad one Caligula incest rap may be a bad one Caligula basically did everything in his power to basically did everything in his power to basically did everything in his power to make it hard for people to believe make it hard for people to believe make it hard for people to believe otherwise that all being said the incest otherwise that all being said the incest otherwise that all being said the incest charges only dominated the gossip of the charges only dominated the gossip of the charges only dominated the gossip of the early part of Caligula's Reign because early part of Caligula's Reign because early part of Caligula's Reign because in mid 38 Drilla came down with a fever in mid 38 Drilla came down with a fever in mid 38 Drilla came down with a fever and died the grief stricken Caligula who and died the grief stricken Caligula who and died the grief stricken Caligula who did not leave drusilla's side during the did not leave drusilla's side during the did not leave drusilla's side during the illness ordered that the entire Empire illness ordered that the entire Empire illness ordered that the entire Empire go into mourning upon her death and go into mourning upon her death and go into mourning upon her death and thereafter would often swear Oaths to thereafter would often swear Oaths to thereafter would often swear Oaths to the Divine Drusilla whom he inducted the Divine Drusilla whom he inducted the Divine Drusilla whom he inducted into the growing Imperial Pantheon into the growing Imperial Pantheon into the growing Imperial Pantheon unfortunately for Rome though once she unfortunately for Rome though once she unfortunately for Rome though once she was gone the gloves really came was gone the gloves really came was gone the gloves really came off for the 3 years left on his Reign off for the 3 years left on his Reign off for the 3 years left on his Reign Roman historians describe at length a Roman historians describe at length a Roman historians describe at length a man who personifies everything that is man who personifies everything that is man who personifies everything that is awful about absolute power resting in awful about absolute power resting in awful about absolute power resting in the hands of a single the hands of a single the hands of a single man unlike Augustus and tiberias who man unlike Augustus and tiberias who man unlike Augustus and tiberias who tried to downplay their power and defer tried to downplay their power and defer tried to downplay their power and defer to the Senate as much as possible to the Senate as much as possible to the Senate as much as possible Caligula had no interest in such things Caligula had no interest in such things Caligula had no interest in such things and actually went out of his way to do and actually went out of his way to do and actually went out of his way to do everything he could to demean the Senate everything he could to demean the Senate everything he could to demean the Senate and exalt himself above them for example and exalt himself above them for example and exalt himself above them for example he would force them to run alongside his he would force them to run alongside his he would force them to run alongside his Carriage while it made its way through Carriage while it made its way through Carriage while it made its way through Rome and any senator who failed to show Rome and any senator who failed to show Rome and any senator who failed to show up or display the proper amount of up or display the proper amount of up or display the proper amount of enthusiasm were noted by the emperor and enthusiasm were noted by the emperor and enthusiasm were noted by the emperor and then targeted for future then targeted for future then targeted for future humiliations one of his reported humiliations one of his reported humiliations one of his reported favorite pastimes was to bring senators favorite pastimes was to bring senators favorite pastimes was to bring senators and their wives to dinner and over the and their wives to dinner and over the and their wives to dinner and over the course of the meal pick out one of the

course of the meal pick out one of the course of the meal pick out one of the married women and disappear with her to married women and disappear with her to married women and disappear with her to the bedroom while her shamed husband was the bedroom while her shamed husband was the bedroom while her shamed husband was forced to remain at the table kilu would forced to remain at the table kilu would forced to remain at the table kilu would then return with the wife in question then return with the wife in question then return with the wife in question and proceed to describe in detail and proceed to describe in detail and proceed to describe in detail everything that had gone on in the everything that had gone on in the everything that had gone on in the bedroom there was no recourse for the bedroom there was no recourse for the bedroom there was no recourse for the distressed couple any challenge to distressed couple any challenge to distressed couple any challenge to Caligula's whims was fast becoming a Caligula's whims was fast becoming a Caligula's whims was fast becoming a capital capital capital offense both Caligula's second and third offense both Caligula's second and third offense both Caligula's second and third marriages were actually the result of marriages were actually the result of marriages were actually the result of stealing women from their husbands and stealing women from their husbands and stealing women from their husbands and in the case of his second wife Livia in the case of his second wife Livia in the case of his second wife Livia oresta it was actually on the occasion oresta it was actually on the occasion oresta it was actually on the occasion of her marriage that the theft went down of her marriage that the theft went down of her marriage that the theft went down invited to the wedding Caligula took a invited to the wedding Caligula took a invited to the wedding Caligula took a shine to the bride and told the new shine to the bride and told the new shine to the bride and told the new husband gas cernius piso who will husband gas cernius piso who will husband gas cernius piso who will feature prominently in the episode on feature prominently in the episode on feature prominently in the episode on Nero to quote get away from my wife and Nero to quote get away from my wife and Nero to quote get away from my wife and then immediately absconded with the poor then immediately absconded with the poor then immediately absconded with the poor woman Caligula would abandon her just woman Caligula would abandon her just woman Caligula would abandon her just days later but not before twisting the days later but not before twisting the days later but not before twisting the knife further and forbidding her to knife further and forbidding her to knife further and forbidding her to remarry piso why did he do it who remarry piso why did he do it who remarry piso why did he do it who knows men and women now lived in knows men and women now lived in knows men and women now lived in Perpetual fear that they would say the Perpetual fear that they would say the Perpetual fear that they would say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing or do wrong thing or do the wrong thing or do wrong thing or do the wrong thing or do the right thing but at the wrong the right thing but at the wrong the right thing but at the wrong time one young Aristocrat was forced to time one young Aristocrat was forced to time one young Aristocrat was forced to fight as a gladiator simply because he fight as a gladiator simply because he fight as a gladiator simply because he was good-look and made Caligula jealous was good-look and made Caligula jealous was good-look and made Caligula jealous after the man won both of his matches after the man won both of his matches after the man won both of his matches Caligula had him hauled off in Chains Caligula had him hauled off in Chains Caligula had him hauled off in Chains executed good executed good executed good times but the biggest fear was that times but the biggest fear was that times but the biggest fear was that Caligula would simply covet your estate Caligula would simply covet your estate Caligula would simply covet your estate and confiscate it all after arresting and confiscate it all after arresting and confiscate it all after arresting and killing you for no and killing you for no and killing you for no reason in this he was indiscriminate he

reason in this he was indiscriminate he reason in this he was indiscriminate he didn't even bother working up any kind didn't even bother working up any kind didn't even bother working up any kind of paranoid fantasy to explain who he of paranoid fantasy to explain who he of paranoid fantasy to explain who he was targeting he would just send agents was targeting he would just send agents was targeting he would just send agents to your doors one day and you would be to your doors one day and you would be to your doors one day and you would be hauled off to court tried and exiled or hauled off to court tried and exiled or hauled off to court tried and exiled or killed the executions themselves became killed the executions themselves became killed the executions themselves became a Hallmark of cigal sadism as he would a Hallmark of cigal sadism as he would a Hallmark of cigal sadism as he would for forc parents to come witness the for forc parents to come witness the for forc parents to come witness the executions of their children when one executions of their children when one executions of their children when one man said that he was too sick to attend man said that he was too sick to attend man said that he was too sick to attend kulus sent around one of his Imperial kulus sent around one of his Imperial kulus sent around one of his Imperial carriages to pick the man up and make carriages to pick the man up and make carriages to pick the man up and make sure that he could be sure that he could be sure that he could be there and when The Condemned were killed there and when The Condemned were killed there and when The Condemned were killed they were not simply strangled or hurled they were not simply strangled or hurled they were not simply strangled or hurled from The tarpan Rock no kigal was famous from The tarpan Rock no kigal was famous from The tarpan Rock no kigal was famous for promoting the maximum of Death By A for promoting the maximum of Death By A for promoting the maximum of Death By A Thousand Cuts major organs were left Thousand Cuts major organs were left Thousand Cuts major organs were left alone as the victims were nicked and alone as the victims were nicked and alone as the victims were nicked and bled and stabbed over the course of bled and stabbed over the course of bled and stabbed over the course of sometimes days days his usual order to sometimes days days his usual order to sometimes days days his usual order to the executioners was to make him feel the executioners was to make him feel the executioners was to make him feel that he is that he is that he is dying when one man continued to Proclaim dying when one man continued to Proclaim dying when one man continued to Proclaim his innocent as the execution began his innocent as the execution began his innocent as the execution began cigal halted the proceedings then he cigal halted the proceedings then he cigal halted the proceedings then he ordered the soldiers to cut out the ordered the soldiers to cut out the ordered the soldiers to cut out the Man's Tongue so Caligula would be able Man's Tongue so Caligula would be able Man's Tongue so Caligula would be able to enjoy the execution in peace Charming to enjoy the execution in peace Charming to enjoy the execution in peace Charming stuff the only practical foundation for stuff the only practical foundation for stuff the only practical foundation for all of this random cruelty was that all of this random cruelty was that all of this random cruelty was that Caligula needed money lots and lots of Caligula needed money lots and lots of Caligula needed money lots and lots of money money money tiberious had been famously a spend tiberious had been famously a spend tiberious had been famously a spend Thrift who in his later life basically Thrift who in his later life basically Thrift who in his later life basically vetoed every spending Bill he ever saw vetoed every spending Bill he ever saw vetoed every spending Bill he ever saw he probably took it too far leaving many he probably took it too far leaving many he probably took it too far leaving many worthy projects unfunded but there is no

worthy projects unfunded but there is no worthy projects unfunded but there is no denying that when he died the empire was denying that when he died the empire was denying that when he died the empire was an excellent Financial shape the an excellent Financial shape the an excellent Financial shape the treasury was well stocked and revenue treasury was well stocked and revenue treasury was well stocked and revenue was outpacing was outpacing was outpacing expenditures Caligula managed to blow up expenditures Caligula managed to blow up expenditures Caligula managed to blow up this financial cushion within 2 years of this financial cushion within 2 years of this financial cushion within 2 years of taking office leaving the Empire and the taking office leaving the Empire and the taking office leaving the Empire and the Imperial family massively in Imperial family massively in Imperial family massively in dead some things he did were decent dead some things he did were decent dead some things he did were decent enough he finished the Temple of enough he finished the Temple of enough he finished the Temple of Augustus and built improved ports at Augustus and built improved ports at Augustus and built improved ports at regium and on Sicily to facilitate more regium and on Sicily to facilitate more regium and on Sicily to facilitate more grain shipments he also expanded the grain shipments he also expanded the grain shipments he also expanded the aqueduct system that was essential for aqueduct system that was essential for aqueduct system that was essential for bringing clean water into the city but bringing clean water into the city but bringing clean water into the city but mostly he just blew through the treasury mostly he just blew through the treasury mostly he just blew through the treasury building huge personal Yachts lavish building huge personal Yachts lavish building huge personal Yachts lavish Villas and a personal Chariot Villas and a personal Chariot Villas and a personal Chariot racetrack Caligula's basic motto was why racetrack Caligula's basic motto was why racetrack Caligula's basic motto was why pay retail when you can pay 10 times pay retail when you can pay 10 times pay retail when you can pay 10 times retail at one point he called for retail at one point he called for retail at one point he called for hundreds of ships to line up beside one hundreds of ships to line up beside one hundreds of ships to line up beside one another in the Gulf of bay then he another in the Gulf of bay then he another in the Gulf of bay then he packed them with Earth and mortar packed them with Earth and mortar packed them with Earth and mortar turning the whole line into a bridge turning the whole line into a bridge turning the whole line into a bridge between the Resort at Bay and the port between the Resort at Bay and the port between the Resort at Bay and the port of puoli on the other side of the gulf of puoli on the other side of the gulf of puoli on the other side of the gulf he then rode his horse across the he then rode his horse across the he then rode his horse across the two-mile expanse Legend has it that the two-mile expanse Legend has it that the two-mile expanse Legend has it that the entire operation was undertaken because entire operation was undertaken because entire operation was undertaken because tyberius as astrologer had once remarked tyberius as astrologer had once remarked tyberius as astrologer had once remarked that Caligula had no more hope of that Caligula had no more hope of that Caligula had no more hope of becoming Empire than he did crossing the becoming Empire than he did crossing the becoming Empire than he did crossing the Gulf by on Gulf by on Gulf by on Horseback it would make for an almost Horseback it would make for an almost Horseback it would make for an almost light-hearted tale except for the light-hearted tale except for the light-hearted tale except for the massive expenditures involved and the massive expenditures involved and the massive expenditures involved and the fact that by pressing all the ships into fact that by pressing all the ships into fact that by pressing all the ships into becoming a bridge Rome suffered from a becoming a bridge Rome suffered from a becoming a bridge Rome suffered from a grain shortage due to the lack of grain shortage due to the lack of grain shortage due to the lack of available

available available freighter by 39 kul's relationship with freighter by 39 kul's relationship with freighter by 39 kul's relationship with the Senate and people was shot the man the Senate and people was shot the man the Senate and people was shot the man they had once hailed as their savior had they had once hailed as their savior had they had once hailed as their savior had proved himself to be nothing more than proved himself to be nothing more than proved himself to be nothing more than an erratic sadist who was bankrupting an erratic sadist who was bankrupting an erratic sadist who was bankrupting the Empire kiga had showed the Senate the Empire kiga had showed the Senate the Empire kiga had showed the Senate nothing but disrespect going so far as nothing but disrespect going so far as nothing but disrespect going so far as to promise to have his favorite horse to promise to have his favorite horse to promise to have his favorite horse named Consul because it possessed more named Consul because it possessed more named Consul because it possessed more intelligence than the whole lot of them intelligence than the whole lot of them intelligence than the whole lot of them put together eventually the Senators put together eventually the Senators put together eventually the Senators began to mumble under their breath that began to mumble under their breath that began to mumble under their breath that we really need to do something to reain we really need to do something to reain we really need to do something to reain this psychopath this psychopath this psychopath in Catching wind that some kind of in Catching wind that some kind of in Catching wind that some kind of resistance movement was being organized resistance movement was being organized resistance movement was being organized Caligula called the Senate to meet and Caligula called the Senate to meet and Caligula called the Senate to meet and revealed to them a big surprise he had revealed to them a big surprise he had revealed to them a big surprise he had made copies of all the treason trial made copies of all the treason trial made copies of all the treason trial notes that he had allegedly destroyed notes that he had allegedly destroyed notes that he had allegedly destroyed upon taking office suddenly the treason upon taking office suddenly the treason upon taking office suddenly the treason trials were back up and trials were back up and trials were back up and running the Senate was forced to accept running the Senate was forced to accept running the Senate was forced to accept the emperor's decision but unlike with the emperor's decision but unlike with the emperor's decision but unlike with the 70-year-old tiberias they could not the 70-year-old tiberias they could not the 70-year-old tiberias they could not reasonably hope to Outlast the emperor reasonably hope to Outlast the emperor reasonably hope to Outlast the emperor kigil was still in his late 20s so the kigil was still in his late 20s so the kigil was still in his late 20s so the madness could go on for 50 years or more madness could go on for 50 years or more madness could go on for 50 years or more so it is probably at this point that so it is probably at this point that so it is probably at this point that Caligula's death warrant was really Caligula's death warrant was really Caligula's death warrant was really signed he left them no choice but to signed he left them no choice but to signed he left them no choice but to eventually assassinate him the simple eventually assassinate him the simple eventually assassinate him the simple logic of survival demanded it logic of survival demanded it logic of survival demanded it it was right around this time too that it was right around this time too that it was right around this time too that Caligula began to let it be known that Caligula began to let it be known that Caligula began to let it be known that he was actually more than just a man he was actually more than just a man he was actually more than just a man unlike Augustus and tiberias who made no unlike Augustus and tiberias who made no unlike Augustus and tiberias who made no claims of divinity while they were alive claims of divinity while they were alive claims of divinity while they were alive Augustus in fact went to Great length to Augustus in fact went to Great length to Augustus in fact went to Great length to stop people from worshiping him as a god

stop people from worshiping him as a god stop people from worshiping him as a god Caligula decided that everyone was free Caligula decided that everyone was free Caligula decided that everyone was free to worship him as Divine if they wished to worship him as Divine if they wished to worship him as Divine if they wished in fact he in fact he in fact he insisted he began appearing in public insisted he began appearing in public insisted he began appearing in public dressed as Hercules and Apollo and dressed as Hercules and Apollo and dressed as Hercules and Apollo and Mercury some sometimes even Venus more Mercury some sometimes even Venus more Mercury some sometimes even Venus more and more he began to talk as if he were and more he began to talk as if he were and more he began to talk as if he were in fact a god trapped down here on Earth in fact a god trapped down here on Earth in fact a god trapped down here on Earth with all these scummy Mortals who with all these scummy Mortals who with all these scummy Mortals who forever got in his forever got in his forever got in his way the people more or less humored way the people more or less humored way the people more or less humored these claims because hey what else are these claims because hey what else are these claims because hey what else are you going to do so when Caligula ordered you going to do so when Caligula ordered you going to do so when Caligula ordered that his statue be placed in every that his statue be placed in every that his statue be placed in every temple in the empire for worship most temple in the empire for worship most temple in the empire for worship most everyone everyone everyone obliged but his extreme Megalania ran obliged but his extreme Megalania ran obliged but his extreme Megalania ran into a brick wall in the Far Eastern into a brick wall in the Far Eastern into a brick wall in the Far Eastern province of province of province of Judea when imperial agents brought word Judea when imperial agents brought word Judea when imperial agents brought word that statue of the emperor was to be that statue of the emperor was to be that statue of the emperor was to be erected in the Holy Jewish temple in erected in the Holy Jewish temple in erected in the Holy Jewish temple in Jerusalem there were nearly Jerusalem there were nearly Jerusalem there were nearly riots the fiercely monotheistic Jews who riots the fiercely monotheistic Jews who riots the fiercely monotheistic Jews who were already pretty angry that they were were already pretty angry that they were were already pretty angry that they were forced to live under the Roman yoke to forced to live under the Roman yoke to forced to live under the Roman yoke to begin with had no intention of allowing begin with had no intention of allowing begin with had no intention of allowing some egotistical Punk to share the stage some egotistical Punk to share the stage some egotistical Punk to share the stage with Yahweh it was only the timely with Yahweh it was only the timely with Yahweh it was only the timely intervention of Herod a grippa that intervention of Herod a grippa that intervention of Herod a grippa that prevented a massive Uprising against the prevented a massive Uprising against the prevented a massive Uprising against the Romans Herod was the grandson of Herod Romans Herod was the grandson of Herod Romans Herod was the grandson of Herod the Great and as a child he had been the Great and as a child he had been the Great and as a child he had been sent to live in Rome and was befriended sent to live in Rome and was befriended sent to live in Rome and was befriended by the Imperial family when Caligula by the Imperial family when Caligula by the Imperial family when Caligula became emperor Herod had been sent home became emperor Herod had been sent home became emperor Herod had been sent home to govern the Eastern territories and it to govern the Eastern territories and it to govern the Eastern territories and it was only because of his personal was only because of his personal was only because of his personal influence that he had with Caligula that influence that he had with Caligula that influence that he had with Caligula that he was able to First delay the idea of he was able to First delay the idea of he was able to First delay the idea of erecting the statue and then get the erecting the statue and then get the erecting the statue and then get the idea killed all idea killed all idea killed all together had Herod not been there to

together had Herod not been there to together had Herod not been there to talk some sense into Caligula the Revolt talk some sense into Caligula the Revolt talk some sense into Caligula the Revolt in Judea almost certainly would have in Judea almost certainly would have in Judea almost certainly would have erupted 30 years earlier than it erupted 30 years earlier than it erupted 30 years earlier than it eventually eventually eventually did having become a god though there did having become a god though there did having become a god though there there was still something conspicuously there was still something conspicuously there was still something conspicuously absent from Caligula's resume military absent from Caligula's resume military absent from Caligula's resume military conquest being an imperator without any conquest being an imperator without any conquest being an imperator without any military triumphs to point to is like military triumphs to point to is like military triumphs to point to is like being a surgeon who has never performed being a surgeon who has never performed being a surgeon who has never performed surgery it just doesn't make sense on surgery it just doesn't make sense on surgery it just doesn't make sense on the face of it so to rectify the the face of it so to rectify the the face of it so to rectify the situation he got it in his head that he situation he got it in his head that he situation he got it in his head that he should return to the sight of his should return to the sight of his should return to the sight of his father's glory and finally bring father's glory and finally bring father's glory and finally bring Germania a Germania a Germania a heel completely lacking in skill heel completely lacking in skill heel completely lacking in skill experience and training though the camp experience and training though the camp experience and training though the camp pain was probably never going to end pain was probably never going to end pain was probably never going to end well so it was probably a good thing well so it was probably a good thing well so it was probably a good thing that it wound up ending that it wound up ending that it wound up ending early he did lead the legions across the early he did lead the legions across the early he did lead the legions across the rine but was nervous about penetrating rine but was nervous about penetrating rine but was nervous about penetrating too far into the forests not really too far into the forests not really too far into the forests not really craving an actual battle he sent some craving an actual battle he sent some craving an actual battle he sent some Allied Galls into the woods dressed as Allied Galls into the woods dressed as Allied Galls into the woods dressed as Germans so that he could pretend to Germans so that he could pretend to Germans so that he could pretend to charge heroically into their midst when charge heroically into their midst when charge heroically into their midst when they emerged from the woods at the they emerged from the woods at the they emerged from the woods at the appointed hour after this staged episode appointed hour after this staged episode appointed hour after this staged episode he strutted about Camp bragging about he strutted about Camp bragging about he strutted about Camp bragging about his own bravery in contrast to the rest his own bravery in contrast to the rest his own bravery in contrast to the rest of the men of the men of the men who had milled around when word of the who had milled around when word of the who had milled around when word of the attack came then reports arrived that attack came then reports arrived that attack came then reports arrived that there were really real Germans in the there were really real Germans in the there were really real Germans in the area at which point Caligula's Entourage area at which point Caligula's Entourage area at which point Caligula's Entourage ran everyone over getting the emperor ran everyone over getting the emperor ran everyone over getting the emperor back to the Roman side of the Rind the back to the Roman side of the Rind the back to the Roman side of the Rind the whole thing is just cartoonishly whole thing is just cartoonishly whole thing is just cartoonishly pathetic but while he was outplaying

pathetic but while he was outplaying pathetic but while he was outplaying Soldier a conspiracy involving a local Soldier a conspiracy involving a local Soldier a conspiracy involving a local Roman governor was uncovered that seems Roman governor was uncovered that seems Roman governor was uncovered that seems to put the kibos on the rest of the to put the kibos on the rest of the to put the kibos on the rest of the campaign the details are unknown but it campaign the details are unknown but it campaign the details are unknown but it was a serious enough plot that his was a serious enough plot that his was a serious enough plot that his brother-in-law was executed and his two brother-in-law was executed and his two brother-in-law was executed and his two remaining sisters agripina and Julia remaining sisters agripina and Julia remaining sisters agripina and Julia lavilla wound up exiled suggesting lavilla wound up exiled suggesting lavilla wound up exiled suggesting Caligula had been hit fairly close to Caligula had been hit fairly close to Caligula had been hit fairly close to home having accomplished nothing in home having accomplished nothing in home having accomplished nothing in Germania Caligula did what any sensible Germania Caligula did what any sensible Germania Caligula did what any sensible politician would do to save face he politician would do to save face he politician would do to save face he declared Victory and declared Victory and declared Victory and left in 4080 the emperor turned his left in 4080 the emperor turned his left in 4080 the emperor turned his attention to brania that Foggy Island on attention to brania that Foggy Island on attention to brania that Foggy Island on the edge of the world but again he the edge of the world but again he the edge of the world but again he managed to do little more there than add managed to do little more there than add managed to do little more there than add another bizarre chapter to his already another bizarre chapter to his already another bizarre chapter to his already bizarre bizarre bizarre biography according to Legend he lined biography according to Legend he lined biography according to Legend he lined up the legions in battle formation along up the legions in battle formation along up the legions in battle formation along the banks of the English Channel even the banks of the English Channel even the banks of the English Channel even though there was no enemy there to fight though there was no enemy there to fight though there was no enemy there to fight the men waited around expectantly until the men waited around expectantly until the men waited around expectantly until Caligula's orders finally came down go Caligula's orders finally came down go Caligula's orders finally came down go forth and collect all the seashells on forth and collect all the seashells on forth and collect all the seashells on the beach and bring them back to Italy the beach and bring them back to Italy the beach and bring them back to Italy as Spoils of this great victory over as Spoils of this great victory over as Spoils of this great victory over Neptune and the Sea Neptune and the Sea Neptune and the Sea uhhuh having won another um battle kig uhhuh having won another um battle kig uhhuh having won another um battle kig returned to Rome and celebrated a dual returned to Rome and celebrated a dual returned to Rome and celebrated a dual Triumph in honor of his successful Triumph in honor of his successful Triumph in honor of his successful campaigns in Germania and Britain the campaigns in Germania and Britain the campaigns in Germania and Britain the collected seashells were dutifully collected seashells were dutifully collected seashells were dutifully displayed as prized treasure can someone displayed as prized treasure can someone displayed as prized treasure can someone anyone do us all a favor and just knife anyone do us all a favor and just knife anyone do us all a favor and just knife this

guy back home Caligula settled into guy back home Caligula settled into Happy Domesticity with his new wife and Happy Domesticity with his new wife and Happy Domesticity with his new wife and child in either 39 or 40 he had begun an child in either 39 or 40 he had begun an child in either 39 or 40 he had begun an affair with a woman named konia that affair with a woman named konia that affair with a woman named konia that resulted in the birth of a daughter resulted in the birth of a daughter resulted in the birth of a daughter Julia Drilla named for cula's late Julia Drilla named for cula's late Julia Drilla named for cula's late lamented lamented lamented sister in kisia Caligula finally found a sister in kisia Caligula finally found a sister in kisia Caligula finally found a kindred spirit who he was um not related kindred spirit who he was um not related kindred spirit who he was um not related to though she was much older than he was to though she was much older than he was to though she was much older than he was she relished an extravagance opulence she relished an extravagance opulence she relished an extravagance opulence and had no empathy for anyone whatsoever and had no empathy for anyone whatsoever and had no empathy for anyone whatsoever she was in short a perfect match for the she was in short a perfect match for the she was in short a perfect match for the Matt Matt Matt Emperor they seem to be perfectly happy Emperor they seem to be perfectly happy Emperor they seem to be perfectly happy with one another though Caligula would with one another though Caligula would with one another though Caligula would often remind her in a doting sort of way often remind her in a doting sort of way often remind her in a doting sort of way that he could slit her throat whenever that he could slit her throat whenever that he could slit her throat whenever he he he wanted but the good times were not to wanted but the good times were not to wanted but the good times were not to last Caligula may have thought that he last Caligula may have thought that he last Caligula may have thought that he was a God and that he could do whatever was a God and that he could do whatever was a God and that he could do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted to whomever he wanted whenever he wanted to whomever he wanted whenever he wanted to whomever he wanted but that did not mean that he wanted but that did not mean that he wanted but that did not mean that people were going to like it it was only people were going to like it it was only people were going to like it it was only a matter of time before what went around a matter of time before what went around a matter of time before what went around came around and in early 41 ad it came came around and in early 41 ad it came came around and in early 41 ad it came back back back around there was a member of the around there was a member of the around there was a member of the petorian guard by the name of Cassie petorian guard by the name of Cassie petorian guard by the name of Cassie carer who had had enough kigal would carer who had had enough kigal would carer who had had enough kigal would often single the man out and mock him often single the man out and mock him often single the man out and mock him for his eminency and allude to a for his eminency and allude to a for his eminency and allude to a genitalia related injury K had suffered genitalia related injury K had suffered genitalia related injury K had suffered while on while on while on campaign after being humiliated time and campaign after being humiliated time and campaign after being humiliated time and time again the angry petorian Guardsmen time again the angry petorian Guardsmen time again the angry petorian Guardsmen began to whisper with members of the began to whisper with members of the began to whisper with members of the Senate who were looking for any Senate who were looking for any Senate who were looking for any opportunity to off this psychotic brat opportunity to off this psychotic brat opportunity to off this psychotic brat of an of an of an emperor K agreed to be the man on the

emperor K agreed to be the man on the emperor K agreed to be the man on the inside and brought two others in as inside and brought two others in as inside and brought two others in as formal accompli the the plot was hatched formal accompli the the plot was hatched formal accompli the the plot was hatched with the tacit approval of the petorian with the tacit approval of the petorian with the tacit approval of the petorian prefect who was himself under prefect who was himself under prefect who was himself under investigation for treason and thus investigation for treason and thus investigation for treason and thus needed to get rid of Caligula before needed to get rid of Caligula before needed to get rid of Caligula before Kula got rid of Kula got rid of Kula got rid of him in January of 41 ad after Kula was him in January of 41 ad after Kula was him in January of 41 ad after Kula was done addressing a troop of actors For an done addressing a troop of actors For an done addressing a troop of actors For an upcoming theatrical performance ker and upcoming theatrical performance ker and upcoming theatrical performance ker and the two accompli cornered the emperor the two accompli cornered the emperor the two accompli cornered the emperor and stabbed him to death kigil was 28 and stabbed him to death kigil was 28 and stabbed him to death kigil was 28 years old and had ruled Rome for just years old and had ruled Rome for just years old and had ruled Rome for just shy of 4 years the Assassins then shy of 4 years the Assassins then shy of 4 years the Assassins then quickly made their way to the Imperial quickly made their way to the Imperial quickly made their way to the Imperial family's Chambers and kill konia and the family's Chambers and kill konia and the family's Chambers and kill konia and the infant Drusilla there could be no blood infant Drusilla there could be no blood infant Drusilla there could be no blood air to Caligula left air to Caligula left air to Caligula left alive with the emperor dead the big alive with the emperor dead the big alive with the emperor dead the big question was what came question was what came question was what came next ker himself seems to have been next ker himself seems to have been next ker himself seems to have been under the impression that by killing the under the impression that by killing the under the impression that by killing the emperor it might give the Senate a emperor it might give the Senate a emperor it might give the Senate a chance to step into the power vacuum and chance to step into the power vacuum and chance to step into the power vacuum and return Rome to its Republican Roots but return Rome to its Republican Roots but return Rome to its Republican Roots but that was of course a pipe dream the that was of course a pipe dream the that was of course a pipe dream the petorian guard as a whole did not share petorian guard as a whole did not share petorian guard as a whole did not share their comrad their comrad their comrad idealism as it turned out Cara and the idealism as it turned out Cara and the idealism as it turned out Cara and the other assassins were unable to get to other assassins were unable to get to other assassins were unable to get to Uncle Claudius before the rest of the Uncle Claudius before the rest of the Uncle Claudius before the rest of the Guard hustled the stammering fool into Guard hustled the stammering fool into Guard hustled the stammering fool into the safety of their Camp according to the safety of their Camp according to the safety of their Camp according to Legend Claudius was hiding behind a Legend Claudius was hiding behind a Legend Claudius was hiding behind a curtain when they found him but that is curtain when they found him but that is curtain when they found him but that is most likely a later dramatic most likely a later dramatic most likely a later dramatic flourish that very night the guard flourish that very night the guard flourish that very night the guard declared Claudius to be the new emperor declared Claudius to be the new emperor declared Claudius to be the new emperor which when word got out seemed like some which when word got out seemed like some which when word got out seemed like some kind of sick joke everyone knew that

kind of sick joke everyone knew that kind of sick joke everyone knew that Claudius was a mushy headed dunce who Claudius was a mushy headed dunce who Claudius was a mushy headed dunce who had managed to stay alive through the had managed to stay alive through the had managed to stay alive through the Reigns of tyberius and Caligula because Reigns of tyberius and Caligula because Reigns of tyberius and Caligula because he made such a great butt for jokes he made such a great butt for jokes he made such a great butt for jokes there was no way that he was capable of there was no way that he was capable of there was no way that he was capable of ruling the ruling the ruling the Empire and this was of course precisely Empire and this was of course precisely Empire and this was of course precisely the point the petorian leadership the point the petorian leadership the point the petorian leadership figured Claudius would be easy to figured Claudius would be easy to figured Claudius would be easy to control as we'll see next week though control as we'll see next week though control as we'll see next week though Claudius seems to have had everyone Claudius seems to have had everyone Claudius seems to have had everyone fooled pretty well he was no fool at all fooled pretty well he was no fool at all fooled pretty well he was no fool at all and would prove to be a thoroughly and would prove to be a thoroughly and would prove to be a thoroughly competent Emperor even if his domestic competent Emperor even if his domestic competent Emperor even if his domestic life left something to be desired the short and brutal reign of desired the short and brutal reign of Caligula is an object lesson for why you Caligula is an object lesson for why you Caligula is an object lesson for why you don't put absolute power in the hands of don't put absolute power in the hands of don't put absolute power in the hands of one man especially without vetting him one man especially without vetting him one man especially without vetting him first though he was the first really first though he was the first really first though he was the first really terrible Emperor he would certainly not terrible Emperor he would certainly not terrible Emperor he would certainly not be the last as every generation or so be the last as every generation or so be the last as every generation or so another Caligula will emerge to remind another Caligula will emerge to remind another Caligula will emerge to remind everyone why they tried to get away from everyone why they tried to get away from everyone why they tried to get away from all of this in the first place why they all of this in the first place why they all of this in the first place why they had shared consulships why they had had shared consulships why they had had shared consulships why they had thrown the Kings out why they had set up thrown the Kings out why they had set up thrown the Kings out why they had set up the Senate why they had set up the the Senate why they had set up the the Senate why they had set up the people's assemblies why it was just dumb people's assemblies why it was just dumb people's assemblies why it was just dumb to give absolute power to just one to give absolute power to just one to give absolute power to just one guy but it was too late to go back to guy but it was too late to go back to guy but it was too late to go back to the days of a shared consulship or the the days of a shared consulship or the the days of a shared consulship or the diffusion of power all the Romans could diffusion of power all the Romans could diffusion of power all the Romans could do now was try to survive the bad years do now was try to survive the bad years do now was try to survive the bad years and hope that the next guy would be and hope that the next guy would be and hope that the next guy would be better because like it or not the better because like it or not the better because like it or not the Emperors had all the power now Emperors had all the power now Emperors had all the power now [Music]