TacitusSenator and historian of late 1st early 2nd c. CEWrote several works, either histories or with a historical aspectInterested in imperial politics, especially at the senatorial levelMight have consulted the acta senatus for the kind of detailed information we’ve seen in sections 12-13Tacitus AnnalesFinal workChroniceles from the death of Augustus throughout he suicide of NeroBroken into parts of 6 books each called hexadsOf original 18 books, only 1-4, 6, part of 11, 12-15, beginning of 16 survive in only one manuscriptMemorialization of those who died and suffered under tyrannyAugustus “succession”Augustus’ position assumed to be uniqueNot usual in Roman history: decemviri, sulla, pompous magnusInitially had co-rulersM. Vipsanius AgrippaMarcellus (Octavia’s son by a previous marriage)Both had tribunicia postestasWith his daughter Julia sons. Augustus dynastic policy became clearGauis CaesarLucius CaesarBoth died at young age and mysteriouslyRome would be a hereditary (parliamentary) monarchyAugustus Funeral (slides will be posted)TiberiusSon of Augustus wife LiviaRetired to Rhodes in order to make way for Gaius and LuciusAfter their deaths, was Augustus successorMurder of Agrippa Postumus—whose orders?After Augustus funeral, talk again of sharing command of stateTiberius words even on matter which he was not concealing were—whether by nature or habit—always weighted and darkSenators one fear was that “they seemed to understand”Asinius Gallus—which part?Augustus watch listM. Lepidus—capable, wouldn’t want itAsinius Gallus—inferior, wanted itL. ArruntiusMajor changes under TiberiusEnd of public electionsSenatorial candidates chosen by the emperorAll elections occur in the senateSenate has larger role in judicial mattersSenate becomes more bureaucraticPraetorian Guard localized in a single location on EsquilineTiberius used the commander of the Praetorian Guard, Aelius Sejanus, as a kind of co-rulerEmperor states to be thought of as a real position, rather than an exception for AugustusSuetoniusC. Suetonius TranquillusEquestrianFriend of Tacitus and Pliny the YoungerBiographerBecame Hadrian’s personal secretary—access to imperial archives—cites letters in his biographiesDismissed—affair with Hadrian’s wifeMost famous work was in his Lives of the twelve CaesarsBiographies are light reading, out of chronological order, anecdotes, rumors, gossip—meant to give a picture of person described rather than historyGaius (Caligula)—the EmperorTiberius might had had his father assassinated—he did kill his brothers and exiled his motherNatural brutality and viciousness (11)—inherent in Claudian gensTiberius (supposedly) chose him as worse successor—recall crowd at Augusts death in TacitusFirst Emeperor to have all of Augustus powers voted at the same timePietas towards Tiberius and his familyGood governane—imperial budget, followed Tiberius will, lowered taxes—senatorial honorsSpectacles—rides across bya of NaplesCompletered Tiberius building projectsGaius Caligula—The monsterReplaced heads of divine statues with his own; wanted to be worshiped as a god while aliveOrdered Senators to commit suicideIncest with his siters—deified his sister DrusillaMade senators run behind his chariot in togaClosed granaries to let people starveTreated senators like common citizensIncreased his own power at the cost of the aristocracyLet them hate me, so long as they fear myMuch of this seems to be later inventionTells us much more about Roman attitudes than about Caligula’s life—inversions of normal practiceRoman Gov. after AugustusEmperorIncreasingly ceases to be a military commanderMuch more of a managerBetter empereors work with the senate, with at least pretended humilityWorse ones were interested only in luxury and powerRecall: Augustan precedentDid Tiberius or Gaius Caligula follow this precedent?PeopleLost much of their democratic rightsCould no longer elect senior magistratesNo longer voted on legislation, taxes, or warsRetained political power through unrestProvincesRecall Aelius AristodesProvinces prospered under Roman controlMilitary protectionImperial visits, giftsRemarkable time of peacePax RomanaGov answer directly to Empereor and are elected directly by the senateBribery MUCH less election less uncertainNo need to abuse taxationArmyFormerly each army (raditionally consisiting of two legions) was under the commad of a consulUnder Augustus armies could be larger—more for frontier protectionSolders emploted by state (emperor) not their individual commadersCommanders chosen from senate by emperor no election necessaryDangerous to have commandersSenateNo longer had power it did under the RebuplicConsulship andn Praetorship still sought still had impereium but under the maius imperium f the empereorSenate became the only legistatlive bodyBecame a pool for drawing governors general and other official for the stateImperial GovernmentGenerallly successfulRoman Empire in west lasted for 400 years ater AProvinical gov were much less corruptEmereor gov were much less corruptRoots of Western Culture 10/30/2013Tacitus -Senator and historian of late 1st early 2nd c. CE-Wrote several works, either histories or with a historical aspect-Interested in imperial politics, especially at the senatorial level-Might have consulted the acta senatus for the kind of detailed information we’ve seen in sections 12-13 Tacitus Annales -Final work-Chroniceles from the death of Augustus throughout he suicide of Nero-Broken into parts of 6 books each called hexads -Of original 18 books, only 1-4, 6, part of 11, 12-15, beginning of 16 survive in only one manuscript-Memorialization of those who died and suffered under tyranny Augustus “succession”-Augustus’ position assumed to be unique -Not usual in Roman history: decemviri, sulla, pompous magnus-Initially had co-rulers oM. Vipsanius Agrippa oMarcellus (Octavia’s son by a previous marriage)oBoth had tribunicia postestas -With his daughter Julia sons. Augustus dynastic policy became clearoGauis CaesaroLucius Caesar oBoth died at young age and mysteriously -Rome would be a hereditary (parliamentary) monarchy Augustus Funeral (slides will be posted)Tiberius-Son of Augustus wife Livia -Retired to Rhodes in order to make way for Gaius and Lucius -After their deaths, was Augustus successor -Murder of Agrippa Postumus—whose orders? -After Augustus