Julius caesar germanicus biography template

Roman general

For other uses, see Germanicus (disambiguation).

Germanicus Julius Caesar (24 Could 15 BC – 10 Oct AD 19) was an decrepit Roman general and politician cap famously known for his campaigns against Arminius in Germania. Greatness son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia the Younger, Germanicus was born into an successful branch of the patriciangens Claudia.

The agnomenGermanicus was added finish his full name in 9 BC when it was posthumously awarded to his father pile honor of his victories newest Germania. In AD 4 filth was adopted by his jealous uncle Tiberius, himself the stepson and heir of Germanicus' granduncle Augustus; ten years later, Tiberius succeeded Augustus as Roman empress. As a result of emperor adoption, Germanicus became an ex officio member of the gens Julia, another prominent family, to which he was related on enthrone mother's side.

His connection withstand the Julii Caesares was also consolidated through a marriage mid him and Agrippina the Older, a granddaughter of Augustus. Purify was also the father center Caligula, the maternal grandfather fanatic Nero, and the older sibling of Claudius.

During the control of Augustus, Germanicus enjoyed stop off accelerated political career, entering character office of quaestor five mature before the legal age make AD 7.

He held ditch office until AD 11, duct was elected consul for nobleness first time in AD 12. The year after, he was made proconsul of Germania Secondary, Germania Superior, and all deserve Gaul. From there he requisite eight legions, about one-third designate the entire Roman army make a fuss over the time, which he privileged against the Germanic tribes agreement his campaigns from AD 14 to 16.

He avenged nobility Roman Empire's defeat in rectitude Teutoburg Forest and retrieved four of the three legionary eagles that had been lost next to the battle. In AD 17, he returned to Rome, whither he received a triumph at one time leaving to reorganize the motherland of Asia Minor, whereby dirt incorporated the provinces of Cappadocia and Commagene in AD 18.

While in the eastern boondocks, Germanicus came into conflict reduce the governor of Syria, Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso. During their blood feud, Germanicus became ill in Antakiya and died on 10 Oct AD 19. His death has been attributed to poison bid ancient sources, but that was never proven. As a eminent general, he was widely universal and regarded as the archangel Roman long after his death.^[1] To the Roman people, Germanicus was the Roman equivalent contribution Alexander the Great due get in touch with the nature of his decease at a young age, reward virtuous character, his dashing put up, and his military renown.^[2]

Name

Germanicus's praenomen (personal name) at birth go over the main points unknown, but he was maybe named Nero Claudius Drusus sustenance his father (conventionally called "Drusus"), or possibly Tiberius Claudius Nero after his paternal uncle.^[3] Suitable historians such as Iosif Constantin Drăgan believe he may control been named Decimus Claudius Nero or Decimus Claudius Drusus disapproval his Dies lustricus, since empress father's praenomen at birth^{[note 1]} was "Decimus".^[4] He took rectitude agnomen (nickname) "Germanicus", awarded posthumously to his father in honour of his victories in Germania, at which point he nominally became head of the cover in 9 BC.^[5][6] By Nothing special 4 his uncle Tiberius adoptive Germanicus as his son duct heir.

As a result, Germanicus was adopted out of picture gens Claudia and into ditch of the gens Julia. Come by accordance with Roman naming code of behaviour, he adopted the name "Julius Caesar" while retaining his agnomen, becoming Germanicus Julius Caesar.^{[note 2]} Upon Germanicus' adoption into depiction Julii, his brother Claudius became the sole legal representative build up his father, inheriting the agnomen "Germanicus" as the new tendency of the family.^[7]

House and badly timed life

Germanicus was born in Brawl on 24 May 15 BC to Nero Claudius Drusus build up Antonia Minor and had digit younger siblings: a sister, Livilla, and a brother, Claudius.

Diadem paternal grandmother was Livia, who had divorced his grandfather Tiberius Claudius Nero around 24 length of existence before Germanicus' birth. Livia's in a short time marriage was to the Papistic emperor Augustus. His maternal grandparents were the triumvirMark Antony dispatch Augustus' sister Octavia Minor.^[8] Germanicus was a key figure alter the Julio-Claudian dynasty of nobleness early Roman Empire.

Tiberius, Germanicus' uncle, became the second Papistic emperor and would be succeeded by Germanicus' son Gaius. Germanicus was also the brother wink the fourth emperor, Claudius, direct the grandfather of the ordinal emperor, Nero.^[9]

When Augustus' chosen next in line, Gaius Caesar, died in Strap 4, he briefly considered Germanicus as his heir.

His helpmeet Livia persuaded him to determine his stepson Tiberius instead. Monkey part of the succession visa, Augustus adopted Tiberius on 26 June AD 4, but chief required him to adopt Germanicus, thus placing him next make known the line of succession aft Tiberius.^{[note 3]} Germanicus married Augustus' granddaughter, Agrippina the Elder, undoubtedly the next year, to mint strengthen his ties to integrity imperial family.^{[9][10][11][12]} The couple difficult to understand nine children: Nero Julius Caesar; Drusus Caesar; Tiberius Julius Solon (not to be confused adjust emperor Tiberius); a child outline unknown name (normally referred compare with as Ignotus); Gaius the Elder; Gaius the Younger (the time to come emperor "Caligula"); Agrippina the From the past (the future empress); Julia Drusilla; and Julia Livilla.

Only appal of his children came own up age; Tiberius and the Ignotus died as infants, and Gaius the Elder in his absolutely childhood.^[9]

Career

Batonian War

Main article: Great Illyrian Revolt

Germanicus became a quaestor staging AD 7, four years formerly the legal age of 25.^[13] He was sent to Illyricum the same year to copy Tiberius suppress a rebellion chunk the Pannonians and Dalmatians.^{[note 4]} He brought with him have in mind army of levied citizens mushroom former slaves to reinforce Tiberius at Siscia, his base rule operations in Illyricum.

Towards integrity end of the year, add-on reinforcements arrived; three legions get round Moesia commanded by Aulus Caecina Severus, and two legions be a sign of Thracian cavalry and auxiliary camp from Anatolia commanded by Silvanus.^[14][15]

By the time Germanicus had alighted in Pannonia, the rebels esoteric resorted to raiding from say publicly mountain fortresses to which they had withdrawn.

Because the Influential legions were not so forceful at countering this tactic, Tiberius deployed his auxiliary forces plus divided his army into short detachments, allowing them to luggage rack more ground and conduct boss war of attrition against high-mindedness rebels in their strong maternal positions.

The Romans also began to drive the rebels groundwork of the countryside, offering warrant to those tribes that would lay down their arms, give orders to implemented a scorched earth plan in an effort to expire the enemy out. During that period, Germanicus' detachments were coop up action against the Mazaei, whom he defeated.^[15][16]

The rebel position intimate Pannonia collapsed in AD 8 when one of their commanders, Bato the Breucian, surrendered their leader Pinnes to the Book and laid down his part with in return for amnesty.

That was nullified when Bato decency Breucian was defeated in armed conflict and subsequently executed by emperor former ally Bato the Daesitiate, but this left the Pannonians divided against each other, see the Romans were able guard subdue the Breuci without warfare. The pacification of the Breuci, with their large population captain resources, was a significant shakeup for the Romans, who would be reinforced by eight cohorts of Breuci auxiliaries towards rectitude end of the war.

Bato the Daesitiate withdrew from Pannonia to Dalmatia, where he indented the mountains of Bosnia service began conducting counter-attacks, most budding against the indigenous people who sided with the Romans. Succeeding in the year, Tiberius keep upright Lepidus in command of Siscia and Silvanus at Sirmium.^[17][15]

Roman soldiers took the initiative in Early payment 9, and pushed into Dalmatia.

Tiberius divided his forces jerk three divisions: one under Silvanus, which advanced south-east from Sirmium; another commanded by Lepidus, which advanced north-west along the Una Valley from Siscia toward Burnum; and the third led get by without Tiberius and Germanicus in distinction Dalmatian hinterland.

The divisions mess Lepidus and Silvanus practically destroyed the Perustae and Daesitiate mission their mountain strongholds.^[18] Roman bolster captured many cities, and those commanded by Germanicus took Raetinum, near Seretium (although it was destroyed in a fire at the bottom of the sea by the rebels during righteousness siege), Splonum (in modern-day septrional Montenegro) and Seretium itself (in modern-day western Bosnia).

The European forces under Tiberius and Germanicus pursued Bato to the castle of Andretium near Salona, meet which they laid siege. Conj at the time that it became clear Bato would not surrender, Tiberius assaulted interpretation fortress and captured him. Measurement Tiberius negotiated the terms end surrender, Germanicus was sent distasteful a punitive expedition across interpretation surrounding territory, during which flair forced the surrender of nobility fortified town of Arduba extort surrounding towns.

He then purport a deputy to subdue nobility remaining districts and returned do Tiberius.^[19][20]

Interim

After a distinguished start pause his military career, Germanicus shared to Rome in late Chilling 9 to personally announce monarch victory. He was honored major a triumphal insignia (without stop off actual triumph) and the site (not the actual title) unscrew praetor.

He was also prone permission to be a aspirant for consul before the common time and the right disturb speak first in the Talking shop parliamen after the consuls.^[22][5] According signify Cassius Dio, Germanicus was organized popular quaestor because he pensive as an advocate as even in capital jurisdiction cases hitherto Augustus as he did once lesser judges in standard quaestiones (trials).

He successfully defended, insinuate example, a quaestor accused help murder in AD 10 burst which the prosecutor, fearing loftiness jurors would find in token of the defense out be paid deference for Germanicus, demanded straighten up trial before Augustus.^[23]

In AD 9, three Roman legions commanded insensitive to Varus were destroyed by expert coalition of German tribes facade by Arminius in the Conflict of the Teutoburg Forest.

Introduce proconsul, Germanicus was dispatched come together Tiberius to defend the reign against the Germans in Turn your stomach 11. The two generals across the Rhine, made various disturbance circulate into enemy territory and, find guilty the beginning of autumn, recrossed the river. The campaigns bring in Tiberius and Germanicus in Germania in the years AD 11–12, combined with an alliance agree with the Marcomannic federation of Marbod, prevented the German coalition suffer the loss of crossing the Rhine and incursive Gaul and Italy.

In iciness, Germanicus returned to Rome, place he was, after five mandates as quaestor and despite in no way having been aedile or magistrate, appointed consul for the day AD 12. He shared birth consulship with Gaius Fonteius Capito.^{[24][25][26][27]} He continued to advocate call upon defendants in court during her majesty consulship, a popular move suggestive of his previous work guard the accused in front lay out Augustus.

He also courted acceptance by ministering the Ludi Martiales (games of Mars), as appear by Pliny the Elder serve his Historia Naturalis, in which he released two hundred lions in the Circus Maximus.^[27][28]

On 23 October AD 12, Tiberius engaged a triumph for his bring down over the Pannonians and Dalmatians, which he had postponed mend account of the defeat portend Varus at Teutoburg Forest.

Significant was accompanied, among his regarding generals, by Germanicus, for whom he had obtained the rapturous regalia. Unlike his adoptive monk Drusus, who received no fad beyond being the son appreciate a triumphator, Germanicus played far-out distinguished part in the observance and was given the occasion to display his consular dress and triumphal ornaments.^[25][28]

Commander of Established campaigns in Germania

Further information: Weighty campaigns in Germania (12 BC – AD 16)

In AD 13, Augustus appointed him commander disturb the forces at the River, which totaled eight legions deed was about one-third of Rome's total military force.^[29] The closest year in August, Augustus dreary and on 17 September picture Senate met to confirm Tiberius as princeps.

That day description Senate also dispatched a attribution to Germanicus' camp to correspondence its condolences for the complete of his grandfather and equal grant him proconsular imperium. Dignity delegation would not arrive impending October.^[30]

In Germany and Illyricum, dignity legions were in mutiny. Alternative route Germany, the legions in rebellion were those of the Drop Rhine under Aulus Caecina (the V Alaudae, XXI Rapax, Uncontrollable Germanica, and XX Valeria Victrix).

The army of the Discount Rhine was stationed in season quarters on the border outandout the Ubii.^[29] They had categorize been paid the bonuses pledged them by Augustus and, just as it became clear a put up with from Tiberius was not imminent, they revolted. Germanicus dealt revive the troops in Germania, swallow Tiberius' son Drusus dealt strike up a deal Illyricum.^[31]

The army of the Negligent Rhine sought an increase come to terms with pay, the reduction of their service to 16 years (down from 20) to mitigate integrity hardship of their military tasks, and vengeance against the centurions for their cruelty.

After Germanicus arrived, the soldiers listed their complaints to him and attempted to proclaim him emperor. Queen open and affable manners indebted him popular with the troops body, but he remained loyal contract the emperor. When news disparage the mutiny reached the crowd of the Upper Rhine on the bottom of Gaius Silius (the Legions II Augusta, XIII Gemina, XVI Gallica, and XIV Gemina) a climax was held to meet their demands.

Germanicus negotiated a settlement:^[32][33][34]

• After 20 years of service, uncomplicated full discharge was given, nevertheless after 16 years an protection from military tasks, except put up take part in actions (missio sub vexillo).
• The donative left indifferent to Augustus to the troops was to be doubled and discharged.

First campaign against the Germanic tribes

To satisfy the requisition promised justify the legions, Germanicus paid them out of his own receptacle.

All eight legions were susceptible money, even if they plainspoken not demand it. Both distinction armies of the Lower presentday Upper Rhine had returned although order. It seemed prudent should satisfy the armies, but Germanicus took it a step extremely. In a bid to cluster the loyalty of his troop, he led them on cool raid against the Marsi, adroit Germanic people on the star-crossed Ruhr river.

Germanicus massacred grandeur villages of the Marsi proceed encountered and pillaged the bordering territory. On the way go again to their winter quarters mistrust Castra Vetera, they pushed famously through the opposing tribes (Bructeri, Tubantes, and Usipetes) between nobility Marsi and the Rhine.^[35][36]

Back unexpected result Rome, Tiberius instituted the Sodales Augustales, a priesthood of justness cult of Augustus, of which Germanicus became a member.^[37] During the time that news arrived of his arrival, Tiberius commemorated his services interchangeable the Senate.

The Senate, rotation absence of Germanicus, voted renounce he should be given adroit triumph.^[38]Ovid's Fasti dates the Council vote of Germanicus' triumph rise and fall 1 January AD 15.^[39]

Second getupandgo against the Germanic tribes

For distinction next two years, he untie his legions across the Rhein against the Germans, where they would confront the forces funding Arminius and his allies.

Tacitus says the purpose of those campaigns was to avenge justness defeat of Varus at integrity Battle of Teutoburg Forest, captain not to expand Roman territory.^[29]

In early spring AD 15, Germanicus crossed the Rhine and beat the Chatti. He sacked their capital Mattium (modern Maden secure Gudensberg), pillaged their countryside, so returned to the Rhine.

Late this year, he received dialogue from Segestes, who was retained prisoner by Arminius's forces significant needed help. Germanicus's troops reclaimed Segestes and took his knowing daughter, Arminius's wife Thusnelda, hurt captivity. Again he marched waste time victorious and at the guiding of Tiberius, accepted the designation of Imperator.^[29][40]

Arminius called his gens, the Cherusci, and the bordering tribes to arms.

Germanicus dulcet a land and riverine objectionable, with troops marching eastward region the Rhine, and sailing be bereaved the North Sea up high-mindedness Ems River in order give up attack the Bructeri and Cherusci.^[41] Germanicus' forces went through Bructeri territory, where a general, Lucius Stertinius, recovered the lost raptor of the XIX Legion pass up among the equipment of glory Bructeri after routing them rephrase battle.^[42]

Germanicus's legions met up recognize the north, and ravaged depiction countryside between the Ems roost the Lippe, and penetrated almost the Teutoburg Forest, a hatful forest in western Germany mistaken between these two rivers.

At hand, Germanicus and some of culminate men visited the site capacity the disastrous Battle of character Teutoburg Forest, and began inhumation the remains of the Authoritative soldiers that had been weigh up in the open. After section a day of the disused, he called off the validate of bones so that they could continue their war counter the Germans.^[43] He made surmount way into the heartland objection the Cherusci.

At a spot Tacitus calls the pontes longi ("long causeways"), in boggy flat somewhere near the Ems, Arminius's troops attacked the Romans. Theologizer initially caught Germanicus's cavalry gratify a trap, inflicting minor casualties, but the Roman infantry well-versed the rout and checked them. The fighting lasted for duo days, with neither side achievement a decisive victory.

Germanicus's buttressing withdrew and returned to ethics Rhine.^{[41][note 5]}

Third campaign against influence Germanic tribes

In preparations for dominion next campaign, Germanicus sent Publius Vitellius and Gaius Antius finish off collect taxes in Gaul, boss instructed Silius, Anteius, and Caecina to build a fleet.

Pure fort on the Lippe named Castra Aliso was besieged, however the attackers dispersed on go into hiding of Roman reinforcements. The Germans destroyed the nearby mound viewpoint altar dedicated to his clergyman Drusus, but he had them both restored and celebrated funerary games with his legions happening honor of his father.

Creative barriers and earthworks were situate in place, securing the universe between Fort Aliso and class Rhine.^[44]

Germanicus commanded eight soldiery with Gallic and Germanic costume jewellery units overland across the Rhein, up the Ems and Weser rivers as part of fillet last major campaign against Hermann in AD 16.

His auxiliaries met those of Arminius contemplate the plains of Idistaviso, moisten the Weser River near new Rinteln, in an engagement cryed the Battle of the Weser River. Tacitus says that rendering battle was a Roman victory:^[45][46]

the enemy were slaughtered from rectitude fifth hour of daylight undertake nightfall, and for ten miles the ground was littered junk corpses and weapons.

Arminius and cap uncle Inguiomer were both decayed in the battle but evaded capture.

The Roman soldiers affected on the battlefield honored Tiberius as Imperator, and raised fastidious pile of arms as spiffy tidy up trophy with the names bequest the defeated tribes inscribed underneath them.^[47][48]

The sight of the Exemplary trophy constructed on the front enraged the Germans who were preparing to retreat beyond interpretation Elbe, and they launched classic attack on the Roman positions at the Angrivarian Wall, to such a degree accord beginning a second battle.

Nobility Romans had anticipated the fall upon and again routed the Germans. Germanicus stated that he plain-spoken not want any prisoners, restructuring the extermination of the Germanic tribes was the only eventuality he saw for the conflict. The victorious Romans then arched a mound with the inscription: "The army of Tiberius Comedian, after thoroughly conquering the tribes between the Rhine and blue blood the gentry Elbe, has dedicated this cairn to Mars, Jupiter, and Augustus."^[49][50]

Germanicus sent some troops back detect the Rhine, with some come within earshot of them taking the land application, but most of them took the fast route and journey by boat.

They went corporation the Ems toward the Direction Sea, but as they reached the sea, a storm worked, sinking many of the boats and killing many men direct horses.^[45]

Then Germanicus ordered Gaius Silius to march against the Chatti with a mixed force bring in 3,000 cavalry and 33,000 foot and lay waste to their territory, while he himself, care a larger army, invaded integrity Marsi for the third regarding and devastated their land.

Bankruptcy forced Mallovendus, the defeated ruler of the Marsi, to expose the location of another search out the three legion's eagles vanished in AD 9. Immediately Germanicus despatched troops to recover limitation. The Romans advanced into birth country, defeating any foe they encountered.^[51][52]

Germanicus's successes in Germany confidential made him popular with decency soldiers.

He had dealt unornamented significant blow to Rome's enemies, quelled an uprising of force, and returned lost standards persevere with Rome. His actions had hyperbolic his fame, and he abstruse become very popular with grandeur Roman people. Tiberius took note, and had Germanicus recalled inspire Rome and informed him rove he would be given top-hole triumph and reassigned to smashing different command.^[53]

Result

The effort it would have taken to conquer Germania Magna was deemed too combined when compared with the perception potential for profit from descent the new territory.

Rome assumed Germany as a wild sector of forests and swamps, form a junction with little wealth compared to territories Rome already had.^[54] However, position campaign significantly healed the Popish psychological trauma from the Varus disaster, and greatly recovered Greek prestige. In addition to glory recovery of two of illustriousness three lost eagles, Germanicus confidential fought Arminius, the leader who destroyed the three Roman host in AD 9.

In primary his troops across the Parapsychologist without recourse to Tiberius, be active contradicted the advice of Solon to keep that river gorilla the boundary of the monarchy, and opened himself to feasible doubts from Tiberius about surmount motives in taking such autonomous action. This error in factious judgment gave Tiberius reason foresee controversially recall his nephew.^[53] Tacitus attributed the recall to Tiberius' jealousy of the glory Germanicus had acquired, and, with remorseless bitterness, claims that Germanicus could have completed the conquest chastisement Germania had he been landliving full operational independence.^[55]

Recall

At the start of AD 17, Germanicus exchanged to the capital and treat badly 26 May he celebrated graceful triumph.

He had captured calligraphic few important prisoners, but Theologian was still at large. Talented yet, Strabo, who may own been in Rome at excellence time, in mentioning the fame of Thusnelda, the captured enceinte wife of Arminius, draws consideration to the fact that collect husband, the victor at Teutoburg Forest, had not been captured and the war itself confidential not been won.[1] Nonetheless, that did not take away put on the back burner the spectacle of his triumph: a near contemporary calendar dangle 26 May as the short holiday in "which Germanicus Caesar was borne into the city distort triumph", while coins issued underneath directed by his son Gaius (Caligula) delineate him on a triumphal chariot, with the reverse reading "Standards Recovered.

Germans Defeated."^[57]

His triumph objective a long procession of captives including the wife of Armin, Thusnelda, and her three-year-old corrupt, among others of the discomfited German tribes.^{[note 6]} The march displayed replicas of mountains, rivers, and battles; and the combat was considered closed.^[58]

Tiberius gave means out to the people admit Rome in Germanicus' name, be proof against Germanicus was scheduled to pleasure the consulship next year walk off with the emperor.

As a conclude, in AD 18, Germanicus was granted the eastern part gaze at the empire, just as Solon and Tiberius had received at one time, when they were successors dissertation the emperor.^[33]

Command in Asia

Following queen triumph, Germanicus was sent endure Asia to reorganize the territory and kingdoms there, which were in such disarray that righteousness attention of a domus Augusta was deemed necessary to take possession of matters.^{[note 7]} Germanicus was delineated imperium maius (extraordinary command) tend the other governors and commanders of the area he was to operate; however, Tiberius locked away replaced the governor of Syria with Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, who was meant to be emperor helper (adiutor), but turned judge to be hostile.^[59] According get as far as Tacitus, this was an sweat to separate Germanicus from fillet familiar troops and weaken her majesty influence, but the historian Richard Alston says Tiberius had miniature reason to undermine his heir.^[60]

Germanicus had a busy year choose by ballot 17.

He restored a shrine of Spes,^[59] and allegedly won a chariot race in leadership name of Tiberius at rank Olympic Games that year. Nonetheless, Eusebius, our main reference bolster this, does not name Germanicus, and Tacitus makes no surplus to this occasion either, which would have required Germanicus fit in make two trips to Ellas within a year.^[61] Also, cry waiting to take up culminate consulship in Rome, he leftist after his triumph but formerly the end of AD 17.

He sailed down the Illyrian coast of the Adriatic Multitude to Greece. He arrived accessible Nicopolis near the site slope the Battle of Actium, locale he took up his in two shakes consulship on 18 January Have an advantage 18.^[62] He visited the sites associated with his adoptive grandparent Augustus and his natural oap Mark Antony, before crossing say publicly sea to Lesbos and commit fraud to Asia Minor.

There pacify visited the site of Weight and the oracle of Phoebus Claros near Colophon. Piso keep steady at the same time whereas Germanicus, but traveled directly put up the shutters Athens and then to Moneyman where he and Germanicus tumble for the first time. Immigrant there Piso left for Syria where he immediately began renewal the officers with men trustworthy to himself in a produce to win the loyalty realize his soldiers.^[59][63]

Next Germanicus traveled as a consequence Syria to Armenia where inaccuracy installed king Artaxias as a- replacement for Vonones, whom Octavian had deposed and placed go downwards house arrest at the plead for of the king of Parthia, Artabanus.

The king of Cappadocia died too, whereupon Germanicus portend Quintus Veranius to organize Cappadocia as a province – clean up profitable endeavor as Tiberius was able to reduce the trading in demand tax down to .5% distance from 1%. The revenue from honesty new province was enough industrial action make up the difference gone from lowering the sales ask too much of.

The kingdom of Commagene was split on whether or shriek to remain free or delude become a province with both sides sending deputations, so Germanicus sent Quintus Servaeus to distressed the province.^[64][65][66]

Having settled these pellet he traveled to Cyrrhus, out city in Syria between Antakiya and the Euphrates, where forbidden spent the rest of Foresee 18 in the winter accommodation of the Legion X Fretensis.

Evidently here Piso attended Germanicus, and quarreled because he ineffective to send troops to Hayastan when ordered. Artabanus sent tidy up envoy to Germanicus requesting go Vonones be moved further steer clear of Armenia as to not move trouble there. Germanicus complied, motionless Vonones to Cilicia, both competent please Artabanus and to besmirch Piso, with whom Vonones was friendly.^[67][68]

Egypt

He then made his disturb to Egypt, arriving to capital tumultuous reception in January Adulthood 19.

He had gone thither to relieve a famine wrench the country vital to Rome's food supply. The move agitate Tiberius, because it had disturbed an order by Augustus dump no senator shall enter integrity province without consulting the saturniid and the Senate (Egypt was an imperial province, and belonged to the emperor).^{[note 8]} Germanicus entered the province in capacity as proconsul without crowning seeking permission to do fair.

He returned to Syria infant summer, where he found rove Piso had either ignored accompany revoked his orders to rectitude cities and legions. Germanicus management turn ordered Piso's recall space Rome, although this action was probably beyond his authority.^[67][70]

Illness most important death

In the midst of that feud, Germanicus became ill impressive despite the fact Piso challenging removed himself to the self-sufficiency of Seleucia, he was persuaded that Piso was somehow poisonous him.

Tacitus reports that at hand were signs of black black art in Piso's house with obscure body-parts and Germanicus's name note on lead tablets. Germanicus twist and turn Piso a letter formally self-sacrifice their friendship (amicitia). Germanicus mind-numbing soon after on 10 Oct of that year.^[67] His sort-out aroused much speculation, with various sources blaming Piso, acting underneath directed by orders from Emperor Tiberius.

That was never proven, and Piso killed himself while facing trial.^[71] Tacitus says Tiberius was throw yourself into in a conspiracy against Germanicus, and Tiberius's jealousy and fright of his nephew's popularity turf increasing power was the presumption motive.^[72]

The death of Germanicus smother dubious circumstances greatly affected Tiberius's popularity in Rome, leading alongside the creation of a weather of fear in Rome strike.

Also suspected of connivance false his death was Tiberius's hefty advisor, Sejanus, who would, extract the 20s, create an heavens of fear in Roman patrician and administrative circles by class use of treason trials weather the role of delatores, less significant informers.^[73]

Post-mortem

When Rome had received brief conversation of Germanicus' death, the mass began observing a iustitium earlier the Senate had officially explicit it.

Tacitus says this shows the true grief that magnanimity people of Rome felt, ahead this also shows that past as a consequence o this time the people by then knew the proper way familiar with commemorate dead princes without evocation edict from a magistrate. Improve on his funeral, there were maladroit thumbs down d procession statues of Germanicus.

Not far from were abundant eulogies and reminders of his fine character current a particular eulogy was obtain by Tiberius himself in character Senate.^[75][76]

The historians Tacitus and Suetonius record the funeral and posthumous honors of Germanicus. His term was placed into the Carmen Saliare, and onto the curule seats that were placed in opposition to oaken garlands over them importance honorary seats for the Statesman priesthood.

His ivory statue was at the head of excellence procession during the Circus Games; his posts as priest salary Augustus and Augur were argue with be filled by members regard the imperial family; knights put a stop to Rome gave his name allocate a block of seats dubious a theatre in Rome, favour rode behind his effigy initiate 15 July AD 20.^[77][78]

After consulting with his family, Tiberius thankful his wishes known whereupon description Senate collected the honors reach a commemorative decree, the Senatus Consultum de memoria honoranda Germanini Caesaris, and ordered the consuls of AD 20 to interrogate a public law honoring magnanimity death of Germanicus, the Lex Valeria Aurelia.

Although Tacitus rigid the honors paid to him, the funeral and processions were carefully modeled after those be in the region of Gaius and Lucius, Agrippa's successors. This served to emphasize distinction continuation of the domus Augusta across the transition from Octavian to Tiberius. Commemorative arches were built in his honor settle down not just in Rome, on the other hand at the frontier on rectitude Rhine and in Asia veer he had governed in viability.

The arch of the Rhein was placed alongside that close his father, where the joe public had built a funerary tablet honoring him. Portraits of him and his natural father were placed in the Temple strip off Apollo on the Palatine deception Rome.^[75][79] Several cities in Accumulation Minor were named Germanicopolis involve honor of the general (among them Gangra and Germanicia).

On the day of Germanicus' eliminate his sister Livilla gave descent to twins by Drusus. Position oldest was named Germanicus distinguished died young. In 37, Germanicus' only remaining son, Caligula, became emperor and renamed September Germanicus in honor of his father.^[80] Many Romans, in the chit of Tacitus, considered Germanicus justify be their equivalent to Herb the Great, and believed meander he would have easily surpassed the achievements of Alexander challenging he become emperor.^[2] In retain eight of his Natural History, Pliny connects Germanicus, Augustus, gleam Alexander as fellow equestrians: during the time that Alexander's horse Bucephalus died perform named a city, Bucephalia, domestic his honor.

Less monumental, Augustus' horse received a funeral stack, which Germanicus wrote a ode about.^[81]

Trial of Piso

Piso was rumored to have been responsible en route for Germanicus' death. As accusations increased, it was not long formerly the well known accuser, Lucius Fulcinius Trio, brought charges be drawn against him.

The continued support lady the Pisones and his known friendship with Piso made Tiberius hesitant to hear the briefcase himself. After briefly hearing both sides, Tiberius referred the document to the Senate, making cack-handed effort to hide his abyssal anger toward Piso. Tiberius masquerade allowances for Piso to assemble witnesses of all social give instructions, including slaves, and he was given more time to beg than the prosecutors, but escort made no difference: before righteousness trial was over Piso died; ostensibly by suicide, but Tacitus supposes Tiberius may have confidential him murdered before he could implicate the emperor in Germanicus' death.^[82][83]

The accusations brought against Piso are numerous, including:^{[84][note 9]}

He was found guilty and punished posthumously for treason.

The Senate challenging his property proscribed, forbade sorrowing on his account, removed appearances of his likeness, such although statues and portraits, and circlet name was erased from excellence base of one statue hard cash particular as part of monarch damnatio memoriae. Yet, in keen show of clemency not not the same that of the emperor, nobleness Senate had Piso's property exchanged and divided equally between crown two sons, on condition dump his daughter Calpurnia be delineated 1,000,000 sesterces as dowry instruct a further 4,000,000 as wildcat property.

His wife Plancina was absolved.^[84][85]

Literary activity

In AD 4, Germanicus wrote a Latin version go together with Aratus's Phainomena, which survives, wherein he rewrites the contents clutch the original. For example, type replaces the opening hymn academic Zeus with a passage come out of honor of the Roman emperor.^[86] He avoided writing in leadership poetic style of Cicero, who had translated his own symbols of the Phainomena, and crystalclear wrote in a new look to meet the expectations a number of a Roman audience whose tastes were shaped by "modern" authors like Ovid and Virgil.^[87] Storage his work, Germanicus is compact among Roman writers on uranology, and his work was accepted enough for scholia to print written on it well disruption the Medieval era.^[88]

Historiography

Germanicus and Tiberius are often contrasted by past historians and poets who wrote using themes found in exhibition, with Germanicus playing the appalling hero and Tiberius the autocrat.

The endurance of the Principate is challenged in these narratives, by the emperor's jealous alarm toward competent commanders such sort Germanicus. Attention is paid largely to their leadership styles, i in their relationship with integrity masses. Germanicus is painted by reason of a competent leader able endure handle the masses whereas Tiberius is indecisive and envious.^[89][90]

Despite leadership poetics attached to Germanicus saturate ancient authors, it is regular by historians such as Suffragist A.

Barrett that Germanicus was an able general. He fought against the Pannonians under Tiberius, quelled the mutiny in integrity Rhine, and led three of use campaigns into Germania. As long his popularity, he was approved enough that the mutinous armed force of the Rhine attempted resemble proclaim him emperor in Supplant 14; however, he remained faithful and led them against representation German tribes instead.

Tacitus give orders to Suetonius claim that Tiberius was jealous of Germanicus' popularity, however Barrett suggests their claim lustiness be contradicted by the point that, following his campaigns carry Germany, Germanicus was given right lane of the eastern provinces – a sure sign he was intended to rule. In settlement with the precedent set stomachturning Augustus, Agrippa had been land-dwelling command of those same outback in the east when Statesman was the intended successor turn into the empire.^[91]

Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Main article: Annals (Tacitus)

The Annals by Tacitus is one of the outdo detailed accounts of Germanicus' campaigns against the Germans.

He wrote his account in the anciently years of the second hundred. Tacitus described Germanicus as fine fine general who was intense and temperate, saying that dominion early death had taken unadulterated great ruler from Rome.^[42]

Book 1 of Annals extensively focuses culpability the mutinies of the army in Pannonia and Germany (AD 14).

The riotous army canvass into the unpredictable wrath expose the Roman people giving Tiberius the chance to reflect category what it means to star. It serves to contrast birth "old-fashioned" Republican values assigned money Germanicus, and the imperial outlook possessed by Tiberius. The temper of the masses is copperplate recurring theme, with their reactions to the fortunes of Germanicus being a prominent feature worldly the relationship between him enthralled Tiberius well into the Annals (as far as Annals 3.19).^[89]

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

Suetonius was an horse-soldier who held administrative posts at hand the reigns of Trajan build up Hadrian.

The Twelve Caesars trivialities a biographical history of honourableness Principate from the birth get the message Julius Caesar to the swallow up of Domitian in AD 96. Near Tacitus, he drew upon distinction imperial archives, as well slightly histories by Aufidius Bassus, Cluvius Rufus, Fabius Rusticus and Augustus' own letters.^[92][93]

The attitude of Suetonius toward Germanicus' personality and good temperament is that of admiration.

He dedicates a good plenty of his Life of Caligula to Germanicus, claiming Germanicus' mortal and moral excellence surpassed become absent-minded of his contemporaries. Suetonius too says that Germanicus was unmixed gifted writer, and that insult all these talents, he remained humble and kind.^[94]

Legacy

Due to monarch prominence as heir to birth imperial succession, he is delineate in many works of sharpwitted.

He often appears in facts as the archetypal ideal Roman.^[95] His life and character own acquire been portrayed in many entireness of art, the most famed of which include:

References

Sources

Primary sources

Secondary sources