Rome and the Julio Claudians

Rubric! Through an investigation of the archaeological and written sources for Rome in the time of the Julio-Claudian and the Roman Empire AD 14 – 69, students learn about significant developments, forces and historiographical issues that shaped the historical period.

Roughly translates as …..

Using WRITTEN AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOURCES relevant to the period student learn about the SIGNIFICANT GROUPS that shaped the PERIOD, THEIR IMPACT AND CHANGES OVER TIME and ISSUES THAT SHAPE THE HISTORIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of the period.

Sources

Written

Tacitus Cassius Dio Suetonius Vellius Paterculus Josephus Various epigraphic evidence

Archaeological

Various building projects ie. Caligula’s Nemi Ships, Relief at Aphrodisias (Claudius) Nero’s Domus AureaStatues Coins Cameos

The Julio Claudian DynastyTiberius

Who was Tiberius? Full name: Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus

Lived: 42BCE- 37AD

Parents: Tiberius Claudius Nero (father) and Livia Drusilla (mother). Livia divorced Tiberius the Elder in 39BC and married Octavian, who later became the Emperor Augustus.

Marriages: First to Vipsania Agrippina (the daughter of Augustus’s close friend Marcus Agrippa) then to his step sister Julia.

Siblings: Tiberius had a younger brother Drusus, who was born to Livia 3 months after she married Augustus.

Life before the Principate: Tiberius was one of the most brilliant generals in Roman history achieving significant victory in Pannonia (Austria) Parthia (Iran) and Gaul (Germany). He also progressed through the cursus honorem, holding the position of quaestor at 17. By 6BC he held tribunician powers in the East, but suddenly retired to Rhodes.

Significant OthersLivia Tiberius’s mother, extremely significant in securing his accession to Principate.

Germanicus Tiberius’s nephew whom he adopted after being adopted by Augustus. Died ‘mysteriously’ in Pannonia.

Sejanus Captain of the Praetorian Guard from 15AD. Controlled Rome after Tiberius’s withdrawal. Corrupt and greedy. Executed for treason in 31AD.

Macro Captain of the Praetorian Guard from 31AD. A major player in the downfall of Sejanus. Befriended Gaius (the future Emperor Caligula) and apparently had Tiberius murdered to assure Gaius’s acession.

Reign in a nutshellAccession: Tiberius became Augustus’s heir after the death of many other candidates. In the early days of his reign he appeared to be a humble reluctant Princeps. Given his military past and personality, he seems to be a good choice.

Senate: Tiberius’s first meeting with the Senate as Princeps seems to be similar to Augustus’s first settlement, Tiberius accepted MOST of Augustus’s titles with humility and reluctance. However, Tiberius seemed to have wanted the Senate to act independently, unlike it’s function under Augustus. According to sources, Tiberius called the Senate ‘Not fit for slaves” due to it’s slavish and simpering actions.

Empire: Despite his military prowess, Tiberius focussed on consolidating the empire rather than adding to it. He preferred to use diplomacy and threats, rather than military action to solve problems.

Significant Events 14AD Tiberius is recognised as Princeps by the Senate and is given the powers of Augustus.

14AD Roman legions in Germany revolt over unpaid bonuses. Germanicus is sent to sort this out and ends up returning to Rome as a hero

17AD Germanicus is sent to the East to solve various problems with provinces in this area.

18AD Germanicus dies in ‘mysterious’ circumstances, supposedly poisoned.

23AD Drusus, Tiberius’s son and designated son dies in ‘mysterious’ circumstances.

26AD Tiberius withdraws from Rome for nearby Capri. While still Emperor, Tiberius’s captain of the guard Sejanus, effectively controls information passed to Tiberius from Rome. Tiberius refers to Sejanus as “partner in my labours”.

29AD Tiberius’s influential mother Livia dies. The last restraint on the power of Sejanus is removed. Treason trials begin in Rome focussing on extending Sejanus’s power, aimed at Germanicus’s widow Agrippina the Elder and her children.

31AD Sejanus’s plot against Tiberius is uncovered, Sejanus is executed. Macro leads the Praetorians

37AD Tiberius dies in Misenum, his grand nephew Gaius and grandson Tiberius Gemellus are suspected heirs.

The Julio ClaudiansGaius (Caligula)

Who is Gaius?Full name: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

Lived: 12AD – 41AD

Parents: Germanicus (Tiberius’s nephew) and Agrippina the Elder (Augustus’s grandaughter) Their marriage was extremely successful by Roman standards and they and their children enjoyed immense popularity.

Marriages: Junia Claudila33-34, Livia Orestilla 37, Lollia Paulina 38, Milonia Cesonia 41.

Siblings: Brothers Nero and Drusus, Sisters Agrippina, Livillia and Drusilla

Life before Principate: Germanicus’s death in 19AD radically changed Gaius’s life and that of his siblings. Tiberius and Agrippina the Elder argued and Gaius and his siblings were the target of Sejanus’s machinations. Agrippina and Nero were banished due to treason in 29AD, Drusus in 30AD. All three died soon after. Gaius and his sisters lived with Tiberius in Capri until his sisters were married off. Gaius survived due to Macro’s influence and favour.

Significant OthersMarcus Lepidus Husband of Drusilla and one of Gaius’s heirs. A favourite until 39AD when his plot against Gaius was uncovered. Executed 39AD.

Julia Drusilla Gaius’s favourite sister. Apparently they engaged in incest. Died in 38AD. Death greatly affected Gaius.

Herod Agrippa An Eastern prince who grew up at Capri with Gaius. Used his friendship to extend his territory

Cassius ChareaCaptain of the Guard after Macro’s suicide. Was the leader of the successful conspiracy against Gaius that lead to his assassination in 41AD.

Reign in a nutshellAccession: Gaius’s return to Rome after Tiberius’s death was a triumph . He was greeted with huge crowds and a thankful senate. The first seven months of his reign were apparently peaceful.

Senate: In 39AD Gaius had a falling out with the Senate. This may have been because of Tiberius’s long absence from Rome, or due to the affect of the treason trials. Gaius tried through various means to extend the powers of the Princeps. After 39AD, plots against Gaius become more and more frequent.

Provinces: In the west, Gaius secured Mauretania and tried unsuccessfully to invade Britain. In the east, Gaius put down rebellion and executed Flaccus, the corrupt governor of Egypt. Generally, Gaius’s provincial policy is reactive not consistent.

Buildings; Gaius built extensively within Rome and the Empire. He built new aquaducts and theatres.

Significant Events37AD Gaius’s accession was greeted with great excitement. His first acts as Princeps were to execute his co heir, give generous bonuses to the Army and denounce Tiberius’s treason trials.

38AD Gaius begins a series of financial and political reforms. Democratic elections are widened and treasury reports are made public.

39AD Financial Crisis. Gaius managed to spend the 3 billion dollar treasury left by Tiberius. Embarks on a series of harsh financial matters to keep the empire solvent.

40AD Revolts in the East and extensive rioting. Gaius’s behaviour gets more and more erratic as he begins to appear before the Senate and the people of Rome in various divine guises.

41AD Assassinated in January. Conspirators include the Pretorian Guard and various members of the Senate and Imperial households. Agrippina the Younger, currently in exile, apparently had a hand as well. The Senate wanted to use this opportunity to restore the republic, but the guard announce Gaius’s uncle Claudius as Princeps before this can occur.

Claudius

The Julio Claudians

Who is Claudius ?Full name: Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

Lived: 10BC – 54AD

Parents: The son of Drusus and Antonia Minor (the daughter of Mark Anthony). Brother to Germanicus. Nephew of the Emperor Tiberius. Uncle to Gaius Caligula and Agrippina.

Marriages: Plautina Urgulanilla, Aelia Patina, Valeria Messalina and Agrippina the Elder.

Life Before the Principate: Claudius was frequently overlooked for any position of power. He was born with a limp and became deaf after a severe childhood sickness. These defects meant that he survived the purges of Tiberius and Gaius. During the reign of Gaius, he was the butt of many jokes. He became Emperor after Gaius’s assassination after he was pulled out from a curtain by the Pretorian Guard. His accession meant that the Senate’s attempts to restore the Republic came to nothing.

Significant OthersValeria Messalina Claudius’s Third wifeand cousin. A manipulative schemer who married again in hopes of usurping the Emperorship. Executed.

Agrippina the Younger Claudius’s fourth wife and niece. Schemed to eliminate enemies and arranged for her son Nero to succeed over Valeria’s son Brittanicus.

Narcissus Claudius’s secretary and freedman. Extremely influential in Claudius’s reign and an avid supporter of Messalina. Managed to survive until Claudius’s death. Executed by Agrippina in 54AD

Pallas One of Claudius’s freedmen, worked in the treasury. Supported Agrippina the Younger, apparently had an affair with her. Amassed a large fortune under Nero before he was executed in 63 by Nero for said fortune.

Reign in a nutshellEmpire: Claudius expanded the empire extensively. Under his reign, he added Thrace, Norica, Judea and Lycia. He also attempted an invasion of Britain which was partially successful. The Senate awarded him the title “Britanicus” for his efforts, which his son by Messalina was known by.

Senate: Because of his accession, Claudius went to great lengths to appease the Senate. He allowed them to mint their own coins, the first time this had been permitted since Augustus. He also openly encouraged senators to introduce legislation. Despite this there were extensive attempts on his life. In response, he reformed administration to limit the powers of senators.

Public Buildings: Claudius built extensively during his reign. He built or reformed 3 major Roman aqueducts and renovated Ostia, the main Roman port. He also drained the Fucine Lake to ensure more farmland in Campania.

Significant Events41AD Claudius is decreed Princeps by the Pretorian Guard after the assassination of Caligula.

43AD Claudius begins the invasion of Britain under the command of Aulus Plautius. Claudius himself travels to the new colony after initial push.

48AD Claudius conducts a census of Roman citizens, numbering almost 6 million. Claudius offered blanket citizenship to many provinces during his reign.

48AD Valeria Messalina marries her lover Gaius Silanus. It’s unclear if this bigamous marriage was an attempted coup, or if it was symptomatic of Valeria’s personality. Valeria is executed for treason in the same year. Claudius orders his Pretorian Guard to kill him if he ever decides to marry again.

50AD? Despite his protestations, Claudius decides to marry again. He chooses his niece Agrippina the Younger and requires a dispensation from the Senate to do so.

54AD Claudius dies, supposedly poisoned by his wife. Her son Nero accends the throne and promptly executed Claudius’s son Brittanicus.

Julio Claudians NERO

Who is Nero?

Full name: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

Parents: Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger

Lived: 37AD – 68AD

Marriages: Claudia Octavia, Poppea Sabina and Statilla Messalina

Life before the Principate: Nero lived with his aunt, Domitia Lepida, while his mother was exiled during the reign of Gaius. Claudius allowed Agrippina to return and after their marriage, the young Nero attained a level of security he had never had before. He was proclaimed an adult in 51AD by the Senate. He married Claudia Octavia (Claudius’s Daughter by his second wife) in 53AD, at the age of 16. This was also the year he attained proconsular status. His mother was extremely influencial, especially in his accession.

Significant OthersAgrippina the Younger Nero’s mother. His influence over him waned after Nero’s accession. Apparently plotted to put Brittainicus on the throne. Assassinated by Nero in 59AD/

Poppea SabinaNero’s second wife. His desire to marry her led to his mother’s death. Historians are undecided about the amount of influence she had over him.

Burrus Pretorian Prefect. Supporter of Agrippina, yet was complacent in her death. Worked closely with Seneca to strengthen Nero’s reign. Died suspiciously in 62AD.

Seneca the Younger Nero’s tutor. One of Nero’s supporters. Survived nero’s displeasure, but forced to commit suicide after his role in the failed Piso conspiracy of 65AD.

Reign in a nutshell Administration: Nero’s policy’s were criticised as being poplarist. Between 55- 60 he reformed taxation, lowering the tax rate to 2.5 and abolishing many taxes. This put significant stress on the Roman treasury which was compunded by the lavish lifestyle that Nero pursued. Financial problems were further exacerbated when Rome burned in 64AD, there simply wasn’t enough funds to rebuild.

Empire: In 55 AD the Parthian Empire invaded the Roman province of Armenia, placing a king loyal to Parthia on the throne, this situation continued to cause problems for the Roman Empire and Nero until peace was finally declared in this area in 63AD.

Rebellion: Nero’s later reign is characterised by revolt, rebellion and conspiracy.

Significant Events54AD Nero succeeds Claudius as Emperor.

55AD problems between Agrippina and Seneca and Burrus start to complicate the Empire

58AD Nero becomes romantically involved with Poppea Sabina, marryin her while Agrippina lives is unthinkable

59AD Nero orders his mothers execution.

61-62Ad Bouddica’s uprising in Britain

62AD Death of Burrus

64Ad Great Fire of Rome. Much of rome is destroyed in a blaze that continued for two days in June. Contrary to myth, Nero actually played a significant role in helping victims of the fire and rebuilding Rome.

65AD Piso’s conspiracy. Piso, a prominent senator conspires to assassinate Nero. One of Nero’s freedmen discovers it. Seneca is forced to commit suicide after admitting his complicity.

68-69AD Conspiracy of Galba and Vindex. Conspiracy involving several provincial govenors, led by Galba, govenor of Spain. Nero was forced to flee Rome in late 68AD after the army gave it’s support to Galba, Committed suicide in Jan ? 69AD.