Character - Tiberius

Question 1

“even he, freedom’s enemy”

Answer 1

Tacitus Annals 3.65
- an enemy of Roman liberty,
- a ruler associated with repression,
- a man whose tyranny was so expected that any deviation from it was remarkable,
- and a symbol of autocracy in contrast to Republican ideals.

Question 2

What does Suetonius say about Tiberius’ Reluctance to rule

Answer 2

Tiberius 33
“very gradually, he showed that he was princeps… policy was not always consistent”

Question 3

What does Tacitus say about Tiberius’ attitude towards the senate

Answer 3

“men fit to be slaves” - Tac Annals 3.65

Question 4

What does Suetonius detail about Tiberius’ brutal cruelty

Answer 4

“never lacked for victims” - Tiberius 61
reign naturally generated victims, whether through cruelty, suspicion, or passive complicity. It’s a judgement on his character, not just his policie

Question 5

what does Tacitus say about Tiberius’ thoughts on the murder of Germanicus

Answer 5

secret rumours that the emperors approval was not lacking

Question 6

What does VP suggest about Tiberius public works

Answer 6

references the wonderful buildings such as the restores theatre of Pompey and temple of Augustu 2.129

Question 7

what does Tacitus suggest about Tiberius’ relationship with Germanicus

Answer 7

the emperor interpreted every action of Germanicus unfavourably
Annals 1.62

Question 7

What does Suetonius comment about Tiberius’ upkeep of the city

Answer 7

“he was responsible for no magnificent public works” Tiberius 47-48

Question 8

how does Seneca describe the maiestas trials

Answer 8

killed more roman citizen than any civil war
On Benefits 3.26.1

Question 9

What does Tacitus suggest about the relationship between Tiberius and Sejanus

Answer 9

“to Sejanus alone, the otherwise cryptic emperor spoke freely”
Annals 4.1

Question 10

What does Tacitus say that counters rumours of Tiberius’ paranoiw

Answer 10

examples of Tiberius defening those accused of Maiestas - such as Lucius Ennius who was accused of melting a statue - Annals 3.70