Lecture 7: The Julio-Claudians
I. Divus Augustus (The Deified Augustus)
Augustus’
will:Empire as a family legacy
“Spirit
ascends to heaven”:Deification
II. Tiberius
(Tiberius Claudius Nero:AD 14-37)
A.
Dynasty:Julio-Claudians
Stepson
of Augustus (son of Livia = Augustus’
3rd wife)
Death
of Germanicus (nephew of Tiberius)
= popular general
B.
Tiberius and the Senate
Maiestas
(treason):execution of Cremutius Cordus
"Dissimulation":Fails
to acknowledge supreme power
C.
Influence of Sejanus
Single
Praetorian Prefect; Praetorian Cohorts all in Rome
Sejanus
kills Julio-Claudian successors
Tiberius
retires to Capri (AD 26-37)
Sejanus
Executed:dynastic manipulation; Letter to Senate
D.
Death and Dynasty
Accomplishments:strong
frontiers; low taxes; fiscal surplus
Dies
17 March, AD 37
III. Caligula
(C. Iulius Caesar Augustus Germanicus:AD 37-41)
A.
The First Year
Son
of Germanicus and Antonia (great grandson of Augustus / nephew of Tiberius)
Accession:
beneifts Senate and people; promised campaigns in Britain / Germany
B.
Caligula Gone Mad:Fever
Public
worship as a god; rides chariot across Bay of Naples; “Invasion” of Britain
and Germany (AD 39-40)
C.
Murder Jan. 4, 41 AD:conspriacy of Senate and Praetorians
IV. Claudius
(Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus: AD 41-54)
A.
Accession
Step
grandson of Augustus; uncle of Caligula
First
Donative to Praetorians
Claudius
the Fool / Claudius the Genius
B.Claudius
and the Senate
Treats
with respect; but adds Gauls (world empire)
C.
Administration
Port
of Ostia; Treasury; Courts; Freedmen as bureaucrats (scrinia = imperial
offices)
D.
Conquest of Britain (AD 43-4):maintains military prestige
E.
Wives:Messalina (takes second husband); Agrippina (murders? Claudius)
V. Nero (L.
Domitius Ahenobarbus= Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus
A.
The end of a dyansty:Power of Julio-Claudian lineage
B.
Loses power because he loses control of armies
