Tiberius

For the city in Israel, see Tiberias.

Tiberius and Sejanus

Sejanus hailed from Volsinii in Etruria, from the equites family of Lucius Seius Strabo, who also shared the Praetorian Prefecture until 15 AD when his father was promoted to be Prefect of Egypt, the pinnacle of an equestrian career under the Principate. Sejanus enjoyed powerful connections to Senatorial houses and had been a companion to Gaius Caesar on his mission to the East, from 1 BC-4 AD. Through a combination of energetic efficiency, fawning sycophancy, and outward displays of loyalty, he gained the position of Tiberius's closest friend and advisor.

Related Topics:
Volsinii - Etruria - Equites - Lucius Seius Strabo - 15 AD - Egypt - Gaius Caesar - 1 BC - 4 AD - Sycophancy

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Tiberius, whom historians depict by this stage as an old, bitter, and tired man, left more and more of the day-to-day running of the Empire to Sejanus. Sejanus created an atmosphere of fear in Rome, controlling a network of informers and spies whose incentive to accuse others of treason was a share in the accused's property after their conviction and death. Treason trials became commonplace; few members of the Roman aristocracy were completely safe. The trials played up to Tiberius' growing paronoia, which made him more reliant on Sejanus, as well as satisfying his greed (since the emperor could confiscate the majority of the accused's property after their execution or suicide); they also allowed Sejanus to eliminate potential rivals.

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One development that favored Sejanus was the concentration of all nine cohorts of the Praetorian Guard into a single camp at Rome. Augustus had billeted these troops discretely in small towns around Rome, but now Tiberius -- undoubtedly with Sejanus's encouragement -- brought them into the city, probably in 17 AD or 18 AD. Sejanus, therefore, commanded some 9,000 troops within the city limits. As Sejanus's public profile became more and more pronounced, his statues were erected in public places, and, according to Tacticus, Tiberius openly praised him as "the partner of my labors." But Sejanus had his own ideas. He had used his influence over Tiberius to destroy the Emperor's relationship with his son Drusus; in 23 Drusus died. It is generally accepted that he was poisioned by Livilla, his wife, at the instigation of Sejanus, who was her lover. Tiberius did not suspect this, however. The death of his son meant he had now a stark choice to make in designating his heir: between the sons of his enemies (in his mind at least) Germanicus and Agrippina, or Sejanus.

Related Topics:
Cohort - Praetorian Guard - Billet - 17 AD - 18 AD

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