Emperors Behaving Badly

The Julio-Claudians

Where the Trouble Started… Augustus unable to produce heir Died in 14 CE "Alas for the Roman people, to be ground by jaws that crunch so slowly!"

Tiberius Claudius Nero Augustus’ adopted son Reigned from 14 to 37 CE Never wanted to be emperor Failed at “playing Augustus”

Private Problems Private “playhouse” His ‘minnows’ Few immune from his desires Had trouble trusting people, despised his mother Afraid of thunder and fish

More Succession Problems Tiberius withdrawn in later years Sejanus No heir named, immediate family dead Two possible heirs, Gaius Caesar and Tiberius Gemellus Died March 16, 37 CE

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula) Son of Germanicus, a great Roman general Nickname stuck- “little soldiers’ boots” Very popular with the masses and soldiers Reigned from 37 to 41 CE “I am nursing a viper in Rome’s bosom.”- Tiberius

No Problems at First Caligula appeals to Roman people Recalled exiles Held banquets and gave many gifts Revived Public Works However, later in the same year he was appointed, suffered a “brain fever”

Caligula Assassinated… 41 CE, Caligula violently stabbed to death Issue of succession comes up again… Augustus took special measures to ensure that Tiberius Claudius would not become emperor Only one ‘capable’ left alive

Tiberius Claudius Reigned from 41 to 54 CE Historians have differing opinions on his character Generally agreed that he had some forms of physical disabilities

Better than the Last Two.. Erratic court behavior Paranoid Easily swayed by others Killed thirty-five senators and 300 equites Gluttony Sex addict Bribery Adopted Nero

Succession Once Again Disputed Claudius died in 54 CE Senate was naturally concerned with safety Claudius named his adoptive son Nero as heir (Agrippina had a strong hand in this) Not many options…

Nero Became emperor at age sixteen Influenced by Agrippina and Seneca early in reign. Ruled from 54 to 68 CE Promised to rule as Augustus had Difficult to discern fact from fiction.

Great Fire of Rome 64 CE Strongly suspected Nero caused fire “fiddled while Rome burned” Lasted six days, seven nights

Persecution of Christians First emperor to do so Would throw parties lit by Christians on burning crosses Blamed fire on them Suspicious due to their strange rituals and monotheism

End of Julio-Claudians Nero committed suicide in 68 CE No living male relatives Start of Flavian dynasty soon to follow Rome may never have truly recovered Start of Flavian dynasty under Vespasian

Legacy of Julio-Claudians

The End “Bear in mind that I can do anything I want to anyone I want!” - Caligula