The Roman Series: Who was Tiberius Caesar Augustus?

Tiberius was born in Rome on 16 November 42 BC as the son of 
Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. In 39 BC his mother
divorced his biological father. His mother remarried Octavian later
named Augustus. 

In 29 BC, Tiberius rode in the triumphal chariot along with his
adoptive father Octavian after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra. 

In 23 BC, Emperor Augustus became gravely ill and his possible
death was a threat to put the Roman world into chaos again. The
succession trouble was a main problem for Augustus. 

Augustus selected a series of potential heirs. Among them were
Tiberius and his brother Drusus.

In 24 BC at the age of seventeen! Tiberius entered politics under
Augustus' direction. He was granted the right to stand for election
as praetor and consul - even five years in advance of the age 
required by law. 

Source picture: Wikipedia

Career

Tiberius began appearing in court as an advocate, and probably in
this period, his interest in Greek rhetoric started. 

Love and Marriage

Tiberius married Vipsania Agrippina, the daughter of Augustus'
close friend and his greatest general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

In 12 BC general Agrippa died. At Augustus' request in 11 BC,

Tiberius divorced Vipsania and he married Julia the Elder. She
was the daughter of Augustus and Agrippa's widow. Tiberius
was reluctant to do this as Julia had made advances to him when
she was married and Tiberius was happily married. His new 
marriage with Julia was first very happy but it turned sour. 

Tiberius wanted Vipsania again and he begged her for 
forgiveness. However steps were taken to ensure that Tiberius
and Vipsania would never meet each other again. 

Source picture: Wikipedia

An heir

Augustus had two young grandsons, Lucius and Gaius Caesar.

In AD2 Lucius died. In AD4, Gaius was killed in Armenia and
Augustus had no other choice than Tiberius. He was adopted as
full son and heir. 

Augustus died in AD14, a month before his 76th. B-Day! He
was buried with all ceremony. Tiberius, now 55 years old, 
succeeded him as heir. 

Reign

On 18 September AD14, Tiberius was granted the position as
Pinceps by the Senate. He was offered the Civic Crown ( a
crown made from laurel and oak). 

Tiberius was one of the greatest Roman generals. He conquered
Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raetia and parts of Germania. He laid the
foundations for the northern frontier. 

In AD26, Tiberius retired from Rome to an Imperial villa-complex
he had inherited from Augustus on the island of Capri. However
there were rumours in Rome as to what exactely Tiberius was
doing in Capri. There even were rumours of lurid tales of sexual
perversity. Most of all was paranoia. 

Death

On 16 March AD37, Tiberius died at Miseno or Misenum near
Naples, a few months before his 78th. B-Day. 

There were some rumours that Tiberius was poisoned by Caligula.

In his will, Tiberius had left his powers jointly to Caligula and
Tiberius Gemellus. Caligula's first act was to void Tiberius' will.

He became the sole Roman Emperor on 16 March AD37.

Palatine Hill - Rome - Own picture taken in 2017

Legacy

Tiberius' palace at Rome was located at the Palatine Hill, the ruins
of which can still be seen today.