Julio-Claudian revision palm cards

Changing image of the princeps: Claudius

Bloodline - Agrippina MIlitary power - Germanicus & Britain e.g. on a gold auresu obverse Claudius head can be seen with the reverse portraying Britain Triumphal arch eg. Obverse of head, reverse of Germanicus triumphal arch - The sources paint Claudius as being easily controlled by his wives and freedmen - especially Messalina & Ag II. e.g. Suet. Claud. 29 - "he [Claudius] seemed to be their [his wives'] servant rather than the emperor." - Building programes portray him as practical e.g. Harbour at Ostia & Lighthouse at Ostia - He was also portrayed as generous through associations with grain e.g. Obverse: Claudius/Reverse: Ceres (Goddess of Agriculture) seated & handing out grain - Religious associations e.g. Obverse: laureate head of Claudius/Reverse: Goddess of Hope (Spes Augusta written - Hope of the Emperor) - also portrayed as inept e.g. Seneca makes fun of Claudius' morality and physical flaws - "...head-shaking, deformity, limping gait, stuttering and inarticulateness

Political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army, role of Sejanus, Macro and Burrus - Claudius

Claudius was the first emperor proclaimed on the initiative of the Praetorian Guard rather than the senate because of this his reputation suffered at the hands of commentators such as Seneca - Claudius remained grateful to the Praetorians and issued coins with tributes to them in the early years of his reign -Awarded praetorians with 15,000 sesterces each - · Had the praetorians who were involved in Gaius' death executed. Chaerea and Cornelius Sabinus - Praetorians were loyal to Messalina as their prefect Lusius Geta, had been appointed through her influence - · As a result, in the aftermath of her execution it was important that Claudius' new wife be able to gain their sympathies. Agrippina was able to do so as her father (Germanicus) was popular with the army - · Agrippina appointed Sextus Afranius Burrus (her client) as sole prefect of the guard in 51CE and this along with other key appointments ensured their loyalty to her and her son Nero e.g. · 7 plots against Claudius, including those from Messalina and Vinicianus, but all were unsuccessful. This shows that Claudius was reliant upon the Praetorian Guard for security

Development of the principate, including: impact of the death of Augustus

Augustus had died respected after having set up the principate, seemed solid but was partially unstable - There was one key issue after this = succession of the imperial family -this is why Tiberius was reluctant due to the unknowingness - The position of princeps was not hereditary or dynastic . The princeps was theoretically chosen by the Senate but realistically the current princeps nominated the next - this was not specified before Augustus died - Augustus privately assumed that whomever inherited all of his housing and money would take over politics but this was not shared

Geographical context of Rome in the Mediterranean and the Near East

Rome was built in a highly strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean world. Founded on the West coast of what is now Italy, the centre of the vast Roman Empire was not built on the coast, but inland alongside the Tiber River. - Due to being located within near a main trade route, trade was heavily exported and imported within the province - Rome is within the centre of the empire meaning surrounding land acts as a defense system

Reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious and administrative - Claudius

Social: · Introduced legislation requiring quaestors to subsidise 2/3 of the costs of gladiatorial games for their communities · Helped in securing food supply by encouraging non-Romans to build ships and by insuring ships and cargoes against storm damage · Saved free surviving slaves left to die at the temple of Aesculapius · Slave owners that killed sick slaves would be charged with murder Legal: · Many legal abuses were removed and legal businesses were made more efficient · Made plaintiffs stay in the city while their cases were pending, which helped reduce the long list of cases · The minimum age of jurors was 25 to ensure more experienced members · senate. Claims that he was inconsistent and easily swayed, impartial or weren't according to the law which led to this causing resentment Religious: Extended the pomerium (sacred boundary around Rome which no Roman in arms was permitted to cross except for the purpose of a triumph) to include Campus Martius · Claudius prohibited the worship of himself in temples in the provinces · Jews were denied the right to worship in Synagogues although Claudius was tolerant of many other foreign religions Administrative: · Established imperial bureaucracy, staffing it with educated freedmen · Freed the island of Rhodes from Roman rule for their loyalty · Improved public utilities and carried out great engineering feats (especially building projects) · Greater control of the state treasury (aerarium) via the appointment of Quaestors in senatorial provinces His reign saw increased control by imperial procurators in senatorial provinces

Issues of succession oriented around:

o The preference for the direct descendant of Augustus o The early deaths of designated or potential heirs by natural causes, accidents or murder o The part played by the women of the imperial court such as Livia, Julia, Agrippina the elder, Messalina and Agrippina the Younger and Poppaea. o The part played by the Praetorian Guard and its prefects as well as the army. o As a result, no Julio -Claudian emperor was succeeded by his natural son.

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Germanicus - Tiberius

o Tiberius nephew o Son of Tiberius brother Drusus and Antonia Minor (daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia ) -Immensely popular with Romans and the army, loyal diplomat. -Good lineage (partly Julian and his wife was Augustus granddaughter) - After Germanicus' death this caused tension between the Julian's and the Claudians as Agrippina was told by Germanicus as he was dying to avenge her and Tiberius prevented her from doing so - tension caused between two sides Source: Germanicus orders Piso out of his Province and soon becomes ill and dies. (Tacitus = anti-Tiberius) explains that Germanicus as dying tells his wife Agrippina that Piso and Plancina poisoned him. He warned her of the dangers of Tiberius. (No evidence of the poisoning of Germanicus)

Role and contribution of Seneca - Caligula

- - Caligula was apparently jealous of Seneca's rhetorical skills after hearing a lot of praise about his work in a legal case. - A female friend of Seneca intervened and persuaded Caligula not to execute him - pointing out that Seneca was sick & dying - This story seems odd - even for Caligula- potential of political motivations lurking beneath the surface -Barrett (1996) - Seneca may have actually been caught up in the AD 39 conspiracy against Caligula - but he survived, so he can't have been overly involved

Significance of building programs - Nero

(List the most important details) - In 61 AD he built a gymnasium and Baths (Thermae Neronianae) - Constructed an amphitheatre in Campus Martius - Promised to take an Augustan-like model and introduced a new style of to Rome (adding front porches to houses) Source:"He devised a new form for the buildings of the city and in front of the houses and apartments he erected porches" Suetonius, 16 - Fire of Rome - destroyed many ancient srhines, public buildings and palaces - could have been a ploy by Nero so he could take the land - Used the fire to rebuild Rome and give himself a new palace e.g. The Fire caused a destruction so large that 10 out of the 14 districts of the city were entirely wiped out Source: "he set fire to the city so openly that several ex-consuls did not venture to lay hands on his chamberlains" Suetonius, 38 - Newly constructed houses were made out of fireproof stone, streets were widened, no semi-detatched houses were permitted, hight restrictions in place, water supply was improved - Nero's golden house (Domus Aurea) was enormous and stretched from the Palatine to the Esquiline Hill - The cost of Domus Aurea was extremely unpopular - In order to fund many of these building projects Nero 'looted' his own empire - Extended Claudius' aqueduct system

Role and contribution of Seneca - Claudius

- 41CE Claudius exiled Seneca to Corsica for 8 years on the charge of adultery with Germanicus daughter, Julia Livilla (Caligula sister). He spent his time in exile in study and writing -49 CE Agrippina the Younger (4th wife and hoping for popularity with the people) convinces Claudius to recall Seneca from exile in order to tutor her 12 year old son Nero in public speaking = responsible for the education of Nero & given the office of Praetor with Agrippina being seemingly responsible for both of these actions - bolster her own rep by linking herself to an esteemed literary figure & to gain someone in her favour in order for her son to succeed after Claudius Relations with Agrippina: - Seneca continued to benefit from Agrippina's patronage - and so did those connected with him e.g. his brother, Junius Gallio was made Governor of Asia in AD 51-52 - Some suspected they were more than just allies à In AD 58, Publius Suillius accused Seneca of having an affair with Agrippina. - IF they were lovers, and then broke up, it might explain why their relationship soured Death of Claudius: - He wrote the laudatio that was read at the emperor's funeral and he wrote Nero's accession speech - Pumpkinification: Seneca is widely accepted as the author of a satire that targets Claudius, which he must have written after the emperor's death Seneca makes fun of Claudius' morality and physical flaws - "...head-shaking, deformity, limping gait, stuttering and inarticulateness"

Year of the Four Emperors: Vitellius April 69CE

- A successful public figure during the reign of Claudius. -Curator of public works in Rome and proconsul of North Africa. -He was selected by Galba in in 68 CE to command the army in Germania Inferior, along the west bank of the Rhine. -He proved popular with his men for his generosity and good nature and following Otho's suicide, the army in Rome as well as the senate gave their allegiance to Vitellius -He displayed an understanding of the need to placate both the senate and the roman people, but it was his treatment of the military that caused trouble =· He returned Otho's legions to the provinces and replaced the existing Praetorian Guard and urban cohorts with troops from the German armies - Vitellius soon embarked on a spending spree of feasts and parades which depleted the imperial coffers. He killed many of his potential rivals and executed both creditors and those who had appointed him as their heir. He had difficulty establishing his authority with the senatorial class -July 69 CE in the east, the legions of Egypt, Syria and Judaea chose Vespasian as Emperor part of his force marched on Rome and he went to Egypt to take control of the grain supplies, leaving his son Titus in charge of Judaea - August/September 69 CE they were joined by the Danube legions of Othos, which marched on Italy. Vitellius' forces were defeated at the 2nd battle of Bedriacum. Vitellius tried to win the city with bribes and promise, but the Danube army reached the gates of Rome - When the Flavian army reached Rome, Vitellius was found in his palace by Vespasian's supporters, captured, killed and thrown into the Tiber River

The Senate: changing role and responsibilities - Claudius

- After Gaius' assassination, Claudius was proclaimed ruler by the Praetorian Guard while the Senate debated whether to restore the republic e.g. Josephus tells us that the Senate wanted to regain its former prestige - Initially, Encouraging the senators to debate and vote seriously, and in his own speeches he argued with moderation and recognised the senate's point of view & Expelling notoriously bad senators and became censor to carry this out, but rather than use the old severe method, he gave those concerned the opportunity to voluntarily renounce senatorial rank and so avoid humiliation - abolition of maiestas charges Strengthened senate: - Restoring its control of election of magistrates -Restoring its right to mint coins Weakened senate: - took almost total control of the treasury (Aerarium), and transferred jurisdiction of financial cases in the senatorial provinces from the governors to his own personal procurators -established an imperial civil service, staffed by well-educated freedmen, mostly Greek or Asiatic (being a centralised bureacracy to increase autocratic power for personal interests not Roman tradition) - In AD 41 it declared Claudius a public enemy. Claudius granted 15 000 sesterces to every guardsman, as a result of which the Senate was forced to confer on him the powers of princeps. Claudius was resented because the Senate believed it had been given no say in the choice of ruler

Consequences of the death of Nero - events leading up to it

- After the failure of the Pisonian Conspiracy in 65 CE to overthrow Nero and re-establish the republic and the executions that followed, Nero was universally loathed and left with few supporters in the senate and western provinces - Nero decided to visit Greece in AD 67 where he took part in competitions & major games -Nero won lots of first prizes (1808) - Whilst off on his Greek sojourn, Nero had not appointed a City Prefect - he left his freedman in charge (like Helius) - despite promising he would not do this - Unhappiness was increasing - grain supplies were running short & people resented the growing use of delatores. - Nero's response in return to Rome - To show off his 1800 medals & to celebrate his triumphs - wearing purple robes, a Greek cloak embroidered with golden stars & in Augustus' chariot.

Consequences of the death of Nero - the death itself

- As the provincial armies renounced their allegiance to Nero, he fled from Rome on 8th June 68 CE - He reached the villa of a freedmen, Phaon, just outside Rome - Lacking the courage to kill himself, he needed the help of his freedmen Epaphroditus. Nero died on the 9th of June 68 CE - He was buried by Acte and his nurses in the slopes of the Pincian Hill - With Nero's death the Julio-Claudian dynasty came to an end

The Senate: changing role and responsibilities - Caligula

- At first, treated the Senate with great respect and promised to share power with it e.g. He won popularity with the Senate when he abolished the charges of maiestas, put an end to the use of delatores (informers) and recalled senators exiled in the reign of Tiberius. -After his illness in AD 37, Gaius' behaviour changed, now treating the Senate with contempt and dispensing with their services e.g. Suetonius describes he moved towards despotism in -In AD 38, Gaius renewed the laws of maiestas. He removed the Senate's right to mint coins. CE37 after his illness - The Senate had little choice in confirming Gaius as princeps, given the arrangements of the Praetorian Guard - After the conspiracy of AD 39, senators became fearful that Gaius might suspect them of plotting against him. The Senate became sycophantic and granted him even more honours.

Development of the principate, including: impact of the death of Augustus - Augustus' assistance with Tiberius to the Throne

- Augustus had gradually sharing powers with Tiberius granted by the Senate - by the time Aug died Tib had the same amount of power as Aug BUT -Aug had more 'austoritas' (authority from respect) - Augustus and Tib had been sharing similar powers for the past 10 years of Aug's life from AD4 - Tib had much political power but hesitated to assume position as princep = he acted in place of an emperor but did not take the role on officially = potentially conflicted by a sense of duty and desire to retire or due to his confidence being undermined his entire life by Aug preferring others over him

The Senate: changing role and responsibilities - Nero

- Because he was influenced by Seneca and Burrus, Nero's elations with the Senate were at first good. He promised to reverse the unpopular measures that Claudius had introduced. e.g. · In a speech on his accession he promised to; -Put an end to the encroachment on the senate's responsibilities -Criminal cases were to be tried in the senatorial court -End to freedmen in state affairs = positive relationship with the senate, It functioned efficiently, effecting legislative changes such as ending the involvement of freedmen in state affairs, which had caused tension under Claudius After the murder of Agrippina in AD 59, the death of Burrus in AD 62 and Seneca's retirement, Nero's relations with the Senate deteriorated. According to Suetonius, Nero made senators and knights do battle in the arena at public shows - Treason trials were revived by Tigellinus, the Praetorian prefect. A number of prominent senators and wealthy people were murdered. Many senators had their property confiscated. - He engaged in increasingly extreme and alienating behaviour, such as extravagant games and presenting his own theatrical performances. These began to affect the treasury and his administration suffered financial difficulties 65 CE Piso conspiracy occurred - A group of 41 people led by the politician Piso, took part. - They had refrained form avenging Ag II for years because Burrus & Faenius had kept the PG under control - but when Faenius had had enough of his treatment by Nero - this came to an end - The discovery of the plot led to the execution or forced suicide of many distinguished senators e.g. 19 in total were massacred and the others were exiled - Despite its failure, the conspiracy showed the growing discontent with Nero

Significance of building programs - Caligula

- Due to his reign only spanning from 37-41BC there was no extensive building programs due to limited time to build within his reign - His attitude were quite keen in regard to taking on new building programs Source: "His vanity building projects have been placed somewhere on the spectrum between an affront to the laws of nature and ludicrous display." • Beard, 2015 - Caligulas buildings were quite grand and extensive but there is one issue being the lack of physical evidence of presumably extensive buildings such as bridge from the Palatine & Capitoline in which Caligula supposedly constructed. Caligula's building reputation: Contributions Caligula made: • He completed certain projects neglected by Tiberius: namely, the Temple of Augustus and Pompey's Theatre; and began the construction of an aqueduct in the Tiber district, and an amphitheatre near the enclosure. • He finished construction of Didymaean Apollo's Temple of Ephesus • Improved the harbours at Rhegium & Sicily • Began the aqueducts Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus -he constructed many building programs within the span on 4 years Source: Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars "From a building viewpoint, Caligula ranks high among the emperors = His reputation of building was adequate as he did engage with some multiple building programs within his limited time e.g. Temple of Augustus Caligula served as priest of the cult of Augustus, the rituals of which are depicted on the reverse. This issue commemorates Gaius Caligula's dedication of the Temple of the Divus Augustus and the young emperor's sense of pietas - Construction of the Temple of the Divus Augustus began under Tiberius and, perhaps, under the direction of Livia herself - This was meant to emphasise the link between Caligula and the Augustan family of which can be seen in coins. e.g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PM TR POT/PIETAS SC (ancient coin depicting Caligula as responsible from Rome 37AD mint) - Within the coin the pietas beneath the figure of Caligula displays that he is fulfilling his duty by dedicating the temple to his great-grandfather

The relationship of the princeps and the army - Tiberius

- Each emperor was meant to be perceived as a reputable military commander despite their experience in the field → Tiberius already had a wide range of experience, encouraging more respect from the army due to his genuine military experience Source: "His long career as a commanding general provided him with such a bonus of loyalty within the armies that, after the mutinies, there were only minor difficulties." Raaflaub -Tiberius used the army effectively to put down revolts in Africa, Gaul and Thrace. He also used them to construct roads and bridges in Syria, Hispania, Moesia, Dalmatia and Pannonia. -He expanded recruitment into the army by using soldiers from the Romanised people in the provinces and the descendants of veterans. - Mutinies of 14AD were during his reign and relationship with army → soldiers received little pay, they were constantly abused and exposed to harsh weather conditions → strained the relationship -Tiberius aimed to avoid military conflict/pursuit in new lands → he decided to keep the empire as it was and not expand any further - defensive context - Although, Tiberius also largely improved conditions and terms for the army after these uprisings → reduced abuse, improved housing etc Source: Levick: Tiberius had effective frontier policies but "his financial stringency did not permit the just demands from the soldiers for improved pay & shorter service to be met." -Tiberius provided reliable military leadership and cultivated ties with the legions. His success as a military commander was in direct contrast to the inexperience of his successors.

Changing role of the princeps under the Julio-Claudian rulers: Claudius

- Has to respect that romans don't like change and needs to respect tradition - the principate needed to be modified as imperial & senatorial authority were not clearly defined - he takes steps to try to do this - BUT Claudius was conservative and did not want to rush the move towards a more centralised autocracy - he made every effort to associate himself with the Julian house and to appeal to all groups in Roman society - Polices were rational and balanced

Consequences of the death of Nero

- Lower status people were sad about his death but upper class individuals were celebrating · It left Rome without a plan for succession · A new precedent was set; emperors could now be made from outside Rome. All a candidate needed was a strong army to choose and support him · The princeps no longer had to be from the Julio-Claudian family His death revealed thats "not that emperors could be made by the army, or that military support was all that an emperor needed." (Wiedemann, 1989). - refers to the power of the princeps and how the system works - displays that the army is important in terms of holding onto powrt

Administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen, Pallas and Narcissus - Tiberius

- Made important innovations to the provincial government during his principate. e.g. centralisation of the system of administration and extension of tenure of provincial governs -Wanted the provinces to be governed by men or merit, so allowed legates and governors to remain in their provinces for longer than the traditional year - C. Poppaeaus Sabinus served in Moesia for 24 years - Centralised the provincial adminstration by allowing some governors to govern their provinces from Rome -Governors made directly answerable to the princeps instead of the senate e.g. 11 prosecuations of provvincial officals

Key powers in the region and the nature of contact with other societies

- Military and newer states were under more control with more troops based here in order to maintain order and ensure military training and preparation = solidiers were NOT evenly spread throughout the empire - By the end of the Republic in 31 BC, the Roman Empire encapsulated Italy, Greece, North Africa, Asia Minor, Gaul, Hispania, Egypt and Judea.By the end of the Republic in 31 BC, the Roman Empire encapsulated Italy, Greece, North Africa, Asia Minor, Gaul, Hispania, Egypt and Judea. - However, the one enemy Rome was never quite able to conquer throughout all this was their eventual eastern neighbours, the Parthians. It was this empire, and its later successor the Persian kingdom, that would forever challenge Rome for universal supremacy

Changing role of the princeps under the Julio-Claudian rulers: Caligula

- More autocratic - encourages him down the path of autocracy - give all powers at once but what does this mean -His lack of training means he does not have auctoritas - needs to establish himself - Without senatorial and military prestige there is a limit to what the Senate are going to tolerate -Princeps became similar to a living god "representing himself as something more than human, and this argues against simply dismissing the more colourful stories of his reign." (Alston, 1998)

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Tiberius

- No expansion of borders Due to: à Augustus was ambushed when trying to gain more German territory - Attacked 3 legions (thousands of soldiers killed) à influenced Tiberius' agreement for non-expansion of Empire due to Aug's severe depression after the death of his troops - The army was in a defensive context due to not expansion of land - Tiberius strengthened the frontiers in the east; E.g: Judea, Vitellius had to conciliate the Jews after their ordeal with Pilate. According to Jospehus, Pilate had demonstrated insensitivity to the Jewish faith and in one instance orders his men to kill a number of unarmed Samaritan and Jewish civilians. Implementation within the provinces: - Greater care & selection of provincial governors. Provided with large, fixed salaries & given travel allowances - reducing the need to plunder the province - financial benefits to discourage the need for taking more money as through taxes -Romans used client-kingdoms, ruled by friendly kings or princes, as buffer zones on hostile frontiers (as in the East), and to save the government from the expense of military campaigns & permanent garrisons of troops. e.g. Buffer zone between Pathians = Armenians -Tiberius recalled Germanicus from Germany, which ended that campaign and put down a revolt in Gaul in 21-22 CE -Quicker punishment of corrupt governors - would be recalled immediately. The princeps punished those from imperial provinces e.g. Case: Jesus - A certain sect of Jews convinced Pilate to order the death of Jesus à at this time he did not have a huge following - But he only got in trouble for massacre: Pilate was reported to Vitellius (legate of Syria) after massacring some Samaritans on Mt Gerizum and went back to Rome to stand trial for cruelty and oppression - Forced to commit suicide years later

Year of the Four Emperors: Otho 69CE

- Otho came from an ancient Etruscan family and was married to Poppaea Sabina. She divorce him and married Nero -Otho was sent to be governor of Luistania and was there for ten years before joining Galba in revolt -He obtained the loyalty of the troops in Italy, Rome, the Danube region and the east. - Otho was a likely candidate as he was accepted widely by the Senate and the people as well as also claiming he was Nero's successor and even toyed with the idea of marrying Statilia Messalina - emphasizing closeness with Nero & distancing himself from Galba. Otho wisely honored military commanders (like Verginius Rufus) & rewarded soldiers for their military activities - He also adopted the name of Caesar and restored many of Nero's statues - he did this in hopes of winning over the Roman people and adding to his nobility and distinction - Otho, an ambitious man who wanted the position for himself, bribed the Praetorian Guard to kill Galba and declare him emperor. He pardoned Galba's supporters and gave his rivals a role in his government he tried to please the aristocracy, citizens and army alike - Forces in the west and Africa had opted for Vitellius instead of Otho, additionally Vitellius gave his troops and commanders extended freedom to that of Otho. Otho was defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum - deemed a faulty military leader as Otho had approximate 25 000 men at his immediate disposal (incl PG & conscripted gladiators) - whilst Vitellius had 100 000 and still did not ready his army for war - Otho defeated troops of Caecina's, but he was advised to wait for reinforcements before proceeding but Otho was worried that he was still outnumbered & wanted to prevent Vitellius from taking Rome. -As he did not wait for reinforcements despite being advised, he was defeated at Cremona & driven back to Bedriacum - over 40 000 men died leading to his surrender on 15th April, AD 69. -He still held Rome, control of the sea, & was supported by armies in the East but did not want Rome to suffer any more - hence he committed suicide Tac. Hist. 1.49.6 - "...No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor." · He would have seemed like a better candidate had he not ruled but his reign didnt live up to its potential

Tiberius heir

- Planned for it to be Drussus (However Sejanus organises his death, with the help of his wife Livilla) - Drusus had shown skill and competence in handling his own army mutiny in Pannonia - Agrippina's eldest sons all die in prison. (Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar) - Sejanus execuated for treason - Gaius was not Tiberius sole heir. He was co -heir with Tiberius Grandson Gemellus (teenager) = Gaius had the senate annul Tiberius will and so deprived Gemellus of his share of Tiberius fortune. He also had him killed.

Changing role of the princeps under the Julio-Claudian rulers: Tiberius

- Restraint in exercise of power - Careful administration of Rome and empire - Co-operation between princeps and senate due to past of military success - lots of control over army due to titles given and military wins - Tried to follow Augustus' footsteps = peaceful 20 year reign - Saved a large amount of for Roman standards - Believed people should be advanced based off merit - Fugal with public funds - did not spend money on buildings and public games etc à due to not spending much money, the PG concentrated on 1 camp, treason trials, the end of Germanicus' family, go to Capri and dependence on Sejanus

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Caligula

- Reversed Augustus foreign policy - Ruled in an autocratic, provocative and erratic manner - did not have consistent policies in the area - Overall effect on the empire was not weakened due to his short reign but his behaviour did weaken the prestige and reputation of Rome · Rhine: Gaius visited the area to contain the army and secure loyalty and discipline from them. He took his sisters (Agrippina and Julia Livilla) concerns with Lepidus (Rhine commander, was involved in a conspiracy against him) Lepidus was trialled and executed · Gaul: AD39 Gaius visited Gaul. He had planned an invasion of Britain to install Adminius, a local ruler as King. In preparation, Gaius raised two new legions and built a lighthouse at Boulogne The soldiers were apparently told to line up on the shore of the English Channel and fire their catapults into the sea bed and collect seashells. e.g. · Africa: Mauretania was brought into the empire during Gaius reign. this region had been divided into the Roman province of Africa and the client kingdom by Ptolemy, a descendant of Mark Antony. Ptolemy was ordered to Rome and executed in preparation for the annexation. This was a provocative action on Gaius' part and led to civil war in Africa

Administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen, Pallas and Narcissus - Caligula

- Selected capable provincial governs - Galba for Germany, Vitellius - the East - Adminstrative trouble concerning the Jews e.g. recalled govern of Egypt (Flaccus) after anti-Jew riots broke out in Alexandria e.g. Riots between Jews and Greeks in Judaea exacerbated by Caligulas order to convert the Temple of Jersusalem to the imperial cult

Changing image of the princeps: Caligula

- Tacitus - Macro & Tiberius knew of Caligula's failings à belief of being born bad but hid it - Suetonius (Gaius, 11) - on Capri "Caligula could not control his natural brutality." - Suetonius - Tiberius' comment - "I am nursing a viper for the Roman people." Coinage: - Emphasis on relations with Germanicus: army - Augustus & divine connnections e.g. coin with sisters (illustrious side of the family) Building Program: -Practical: 2 aqueducts for Rome (practical) -Racecourse on Tiber Image of Ancient Sources - no Tacitus but we have Suetonius and some Josephus Source 1: "he was not clinically mad he was so obsessed with a sense of his own importancehe was not clinically mad he was so obsessed with a sense of his own importance" Barrett - he was so narcissistic that it didn't matter if he was mad or not because he acted like it Source 2: Portraits - Draws on physical traits of Augustus in statues to show their relation Source 3: - Popular influence on sources: I, Claudius - book, he portrayed as crazy, written by a historian based off of ancient sources

Imperial family and problems of the succession - Caligula

- The biggest factor in his favour was his descent from Augustus - his Julian blood - Gaius had no male offspring, and after his assassination, 'his wife Caesonia was murdered by a centurion and their daughters (Julia Drusilla) brains were dashed out against a wall' she was only one year old. - His nearest male relatives were his uncle Claudius (Germanicus' brother) and his nephew Lucius Domitus Ahenobarbus (Nero) was an infant son of his sister- Agrippina the Younger - After his death the Praetorians declared Claudius as princeps and the senate accepted their choice as he was more likely to maintain the support of the army than someone outside the imperial family. Issues of his own succession: - Caligula himself was hardly experienced when he came to power = honoured his family in order to develop pietas and enhance his power e.g. His three sisters were honoured by being given the privileges of a Vestal Virgin & seats in the imperial enclosure at the games Death of Drusilla: - When Caligula fell ill in AD 37, he planned to leave the empire & his money to Drusilla. -Deified with a temple and games dedicated with a public funeral Interpretation: - He was trying to keep that Julian blood flowing in all directions - strengthen the imperial domus which links to the lack of structure in imperial succession

Changing image of the princeps: Nero

- Violent and entirely destructive e.g. Pliny the Elder "destroyer of the human race" - "the poison of the world." - Initially described as generous and civil before reign e.g. Suetonius "he announced a largess to the people and a gift of money to the soldiers" - Nero deliberately cultivated an image of himself as being a contrast to Claudius - as seen in his opening speech. -The coins from early in Nero's reign highlighted his connection with Agrippina, Augustus & the Praetorian Guard. - Nero's later coins focused on his artistic exploits, his successful concert tour of Greece and his identification of Helios the sun-god. - Egotistic - Suet, Nero, 55: "He had a longing for immortality and undying fame, though it was ill-regulated e.g. 2006, Rise and Fall of an Empire - Michael Sheen series- Nero as an insane narcissist

Year of the Four Emperors: Galba - June 68CE

- Was born into a wealthy noble family and married Amelia Lepida, who was connected to the Julio Claudians/ he had been praetor and consul -Galba became known in the provinces of Gaul, Germania, Africa and Hispania for his military capability, strictness and fairness - For the first half of Nero's reign he lived in retirement. In 61 CE Nero bestowed upon him the province of Hispania -His extensive military experience and the connections that he had to other elite Roman's meant that Galba was liked and could gather the support he needed quickly. -· He quickly lost popularity through measures such as cancelling all of Nero's reforms and imposing fines on towns and areas which did not support him - · Like Nero he was paranoid and suspicious and this led him to executing many senators and equestrians e.g. Helius and Polyclitus e.g. He tried to root out Neronian informers = A lot of Galba's reign was concerned with eliminating enemies to himself i.e. those that were supportive of Nero - He lost the army's support by refusing to pay previously promised bounties. This action was largely his undoing -Galba did not provide special treatments or gestures to the soldiers like previous emperors had done and the people were not in favour of his strictness and excessive severity "He was ruined by his old-fashioned strictness and excessive severity — qualities which we can no longer bear." → [Tac. Hist., 18] "Having thus incurred the hatred of almost all men of every class, he was especially detested by the soldiers" [Suet, Galba, 16]

Role and contribution of Seneca - Nero

- What happened after Nero was emperor is difficult to determine. - Although Tacitus and Dio imply that Seneca & Burrus were partners in influencing and guiding Nero, there are few examples of them acting together aside from moments of crisis. E.G. The two men possibly looked after their own particular areas - senate and praetorians (military). Seneca's growing estrangement to Agrippina: - Seneca and Agrippina entered a rocky phase of their relationship when Nero became emperor as Seneca wanted to limit her involvement in public affairs. - Tacitus implies that Seneca allied with Burrus to achieve this end. Seneca believed in the seperation of domus from the state in order to achieve maximum efficiency - outlined in Nero's accession speech - Tacitus and Cassus Dio suggest that the early years of Nero's reign were the so called 'good years' when he ruled as a competent princeps, as he had Burrus and Seneca advising Agrippinas death: · Nero's elaborate scheme to murder his mother by drowning is evidence that Seneca and Burrus had lost Nero's trust. This would remove Agrippina and her men, his advisers from his life. · 59 CE Nero turned to them again upon Agrippina's survival. According to Tacitus Seneca advised that Agrippina be executed. Senecas retirement: - After Burrus died in AD 62, Seneca decided to retire & focus on his literary studies. - Issue: Nero refused to allow him to retire - even when Seneca offered to give up all of his wealth... but Nero apparently avoided his company so his role was seemingly much reduced. - His name came up in the AD 65 Piso conspiracy against Nero and he was ordered to commit suicide. Although Tacitus writes that Seneca was innocent and had no involvement in the conspiracy against Nero

Reasons for building - Nero

- entertainment and extravanagence e.g. combined practicality with beauty when creating an urbn development plan such as streets being broadened and frontages becoming aligned and firefighting equipment being required and in an accessible location in each household

Consequences of the death of Nero - Vindex

- · To avoid further conspiracies and rumours of discontent in the army Nero ordered the suicide of many of his frontier generals. Nero was then without support and the people, the nobility, the senate and the army all hated, mistrusted or feared him - Vindex the governor of Gallia Tarraconensis, rebelled against Nero's tax policy. He hoped to substitute Nero with Galba, the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis. However, the loyal Roman legions on the Rhine frontier, marched to confront Vindex in battle - Vindex was defeated at the battle of Vesontio (these loyal forces are at his command due to his relation to Germanicus) - · After his defeat Vindex committed suicide and Galba was declared a public enemy until the ambitious prefect of the Praetorian Guard Sabinus, urged his men to transfer their loyalty from Nero to Galba -This enabled the Senate to declare Nero a public enemy.

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Claudius - Britain

-43 CE Claudius annexed Britain. The factional fighting of the British chieftains provided Claudius with an excuse for the invasion -He also believed that a successful British conquest would strengthen his regime and increase his popularity - 50,000 troops crossed the channel in 43 AD, and Claudius followed with reinforcements. When Camulodunum (Colchester) was taken, he returned to Rome, leaving the legions to subdue further territory - 54 CE most of England south of a line drawn south to west from Lindum (Lincoln) was under Roman control -Conquest of Britain was an important achievement for Claudius as he had successfully expanded the boundaries of the empire -Claudius celebrated a triumph (a civil and religious ceremony granted by the Senate for an army commander who had won great military success) to publicly celebrate his military achievement in 44 CE --> Commemorated on coins, architecture and in literature

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Claudius - Rhine-Danube Frontier

-Claudius maintained Tiberius defensive and diplomatic policy. To reinforce the frontier, fleets patrolled the Danube and roads were improved - Corbulo extended the Roman frontier to the mouth of the Rhine. Claudius then prevented him from conducting any further aggressive and expansionary -Noricum became an imperial province governed by an equestrian procurator (governor of a small, but potentially difficult province, who came from the equestrian order)

Changing role of the princeps under the Julio-Claudian rulers: Nero

-Employed a number of freedmen to take civil service role e.g. the economic welfare of the provinces was promoted-Seneca had extensive financial interests & Sound domestic and foreign policy under Seneca and Burrus -Followed model established by august us -Later in his reign no respect for the constitutional aspects of government e.g. Alienation of upper classes - His artistic and athletic desires alienated most groups in Roman society - The nobility and equites were shocked, offended and repelled by his undignified behaviour in public.

The relationship of the princeps and the army - Caligula

-Gaius used the army to maintain the borders of the empire. -The army were loyal to him because of their relationship they had with his father Germanicus -· Germanicus. After the conspiracy of Gaetulicus, Gaius rewarded the army with 100 denarii each for supporting him. -Gaius planned an invasion of Britain but it did not eventuate. Suetonius tells the story that once they arrived at the shore, Gaius ordered the army to collect seashells, thus demonstrating his madness. However, recent scholarship has shown that the word for seashells was musculi This was also soldier slang for engineers huts.

The relationship of the princeps and the army - Nero

-Like his immediate predecessors (Claudius and Gaius), Nero owed his position to the Praetorians -He made no attempt to visit the troops stationed in the provinces where his capable generals Corbulo, Suetonius Paulinus (Britain) and Vespasian - He made serious mistakes in his choice of generals. E.g Caesonius Paetus who was sent east to drive Tiridates out of Armenia, but they suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Parathions -He was given 13 imperial salutations for victories made by his generals and for ending the Pisonian conspiracy -· It was the military leaders in the western provinces who led the revolt to overthrow Nero. Vindex, Governor of Gaul, initiated the revolt against Nero in the desire for better princeps. He was joined by Galba and they united others in support against Nero. Vindex died in battle against one of Nero's supporters and was commemorated by Galba on coins. -Following the practice of Claudius, Galba offered the Praetorian Guard 30 000 Sesterces per man for their support, and together with the Senate declared Nero a public enemy.

The Role of the Praetorian Guard in Claudius and Nero's Reigns

1. Role in accession e.g. assisting Claudius in accession and assisting Agrippina through loyalty to get Nero to succeed Claudius being found by the Praetorians - this is quite significant as it lead to his continual appreciation of them creating a more significant roel for them within his reign "we can see yet another increase in terms of the involvement of the Praetorian Guard (and the Praetorian Prefect)." Suetonius (10) Agrippina's appointment of the guards - Placing Burrus as sole praetorian guard as she moved Geta to be Prefecture of Egypt - creating Nero's succession 2. Paying PG to secure the princeps positions They have to do this as Claudius doesn't have the auctoritias to secure their loyalty They use this to to create loyalty with army and PG so people can listen to them 3. Role of stability in the empire - maintenance of the emperors behaviour and managements Death of Burrus caused great public distress - also allowed Tiselius who encouraged his poor behaviour to indulge in his vices creating a complete instability in the Empire à linking to Tigenillnus position Piso conspiracy - created a lot of suscpicions within the PG but also rewarded those who were loyal with financial gain

Development of the principate, including: impact of the death of Augustus - Augustus' Attempts to find a successor

Augustus was preoccupied with the issue of succession because - The Roman nobility were concerned with the inheritance of political prestige. In order to maintain the good name of a family, sons were expected to follow in their fathers' footsteps and equal or surpass their achievements. - Augustus had no natural son (only one daughter, Julia) Options included: 1. Marcellus (nephew, married. Julia. in 25BC) BUT died in 23BC 2. Tiberius - son of Livia, his stepson whom was forced to divorce Vispania and marry Julia in 11BC BUT retired to Rhodes in 6BC 3.Gaius and Lucius Caesur (grandsons, adopted sons) - given titesl of "Prince of Youth" and put forward for consulship in early teens BUT Gaius died in. AD4 from wound in campaign and Lucius died in AD 2 from an illness 4. Tiberius - adopted son of Augustus in AD4 = was reluctantly accepted to heir

Drusus and Germanicu' approach to the mutinies

Drusus 1. Lucky as when the eclipse happened the solider took this as a sign of their maltreatment 2. Ruthless nature - killed the ring leaders of mutiny (discipline for actions) 3. Uncompromising à didn't give into wishes but followed protocol Germanicus 1. Influence of 'Bootikins' i.e. Caligula - guilt tripping through mascot of Roman soldiers 2. Listen and empathises with soliders problems 3. Theatricality and rhetorical skills e.g. pretends to kill himself 4.Makes deals with soldiers (compromise) - despite not having power to do this as he did not have authority (of which annoyed Tiberius as he broke protocol of no compromise)

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Claudius - East & Africa

East: - annexed and organised new provinces (Lycia in 43 CE and Thrace in 46 AD) -Judaea; Claudius diffused the trouble Gaius had caused with the Jews by reversing his polices he mediated between the Jews and the Alexandrian Greeks in an attempt to curb ill-feelings between the 2 groups - Enlarged Syria with the addition of Ituraea - Spread roman influence around the Black Sea - Dealt with Caligula's weak policy towards Parthia by strengthening Armenia after 49 CE when a Roman nominee, Mithridates, was placed on the throne Africa: -Claudius had to deal with the rebellion in Mouretania, which was a legacy of Gaius. He annexed it and divided into 2 provinces; Tingitana and Casaeriensis

The empire, including: expansion and consolidation of the empire

Except for Claudius, the Julio Claudians followed the Augustan policy and did not expand the empire, instead focussing on consolidating and securing its borders. This was achieved through military measures, diplomacy and the use of administration.The only new province added through conquest was Britain (Claudius). Provinces were divided into TWO groups: 1. Senatorial provinces: those that had been under Roman rule for a long time & were quite peaceful. Governors (pro-consuls) were officially appointed by the Senate for 1 year. à these territories had been under Roman control for many years meaning they did not need extensive watching 2. Imperial Provinces: those that were recently subdued or troublesome & needing large military forces - under the control of the empire. Governors appointed for 3 years (or as long as the princeps decreed) - needed stationary forces as the tribune was new Egypt was a unique case - very important source of grain & strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean. Controlled directly by the princeps. Governed by an equestrian prefect. Legion commanders were also equestrian

Caligulas heirs

Lack of male areas = problem - has a daughter and is murdered - his heirs were his uncle Claudius and Nero his nephew

Changing image of the princeps: Tiberius

Main weakness of the principate was that its success depended on the character and behaviour of the princeps Coinage: - Link to Augustus - sometimes included his son Drusus e.g. Tetradrachm of Tiberius AD20 = Drawing on the connection with Augustus as he is son of a god - Emphasis on moderation -Not idealized Building Program: - Improving welfare - not self promotion/Ostia Forum -Finish Augustus's incomplete buildings Provinces: Welfare: paid for rebuilding of Sardis Image of Ancient Sources: Tacitus - overly critical and harsh, lots of potential for exaggeration Velleius Paterculus - very kind, potentially so that he did not get in trouble as he worked under Tiberius Source 1: Velleius Paterculus (equestrian, lived during life) = - Potential for trying to protect himself as he is extremely positive as Tiberius' was his general, served in campaigns prior to ascension e.g. · Did not seek flattery, he did not seek honours and was contemptuous of sycophantic behaviour & e.g. · Was frugal but generous when appropriate: did not easily receive requests for state generosity as the finances of the nation would collapse. Source 2: Suetonius (Gaius, 13) - Caligula's accession very popular with the Roman people - he was the son of their beloved Germanicus à harnessed popularity of Germanicus

Administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen, Pallas and Narcissus - Nero

Minimal interest in the admin of the provinces e.g. gave Roman citizenship rights to the people of Alpes Maritimae - A level of discontent with his admin e.g. the final move to overthrow him came from the provinces

Claudius' heirs

Nero could now succeed without challenge as he was: - A great-great grandson of Augustus - Heir of Caligula through his mother - Claudius' adopted son - Husband of Claudius' daughter Octavia the great-great grandniece of Augustus - Agrippina saw Britannicus as his largest threat and showed more support to him when Nero became more independent from her. However, Britannicus was poisoned in 55 CE - Agrippina also guaranteed the security and support from the PG through many of them being her clientele or put in the position from her meaning they owed her

Political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army, role of Sejanus, Macro and Burrus - Nero

Nero's mother Agrippina used the Praetorian Guard as a means of securing Nero's position. She replaced the 2 prefects with one of her choosing Burrus, and there is little doubt that he was a stabilising influence on Nero - · Burrus refused to be part of the plot against Agrippina and would not allow Praetorian involvement. Eventually Nero persuaded Anicetus, a commander of the fleet to help him. = The Praetorians were rewarded for not interfering, thereby showing hoe reliant Nero was on their support - · The death of Agrippina on her son's orders saw the end of power and influence by Burrus and Seneca. - · Nero paid 15,000 sesterces to every Praetorian Guard to keep them loyal - Piso conspiracy; Nero rewarded those Praetorians who had helped advert his assassination with 2000 sesterces each and free grain for life - · Nero's revenge on the conspirators sees Piso, Seneca and the poet Lucan put to death - Tigellinus; used in Nero's role as Prefect of the Praetorian Guard and had to eliminate any suspects loyal to Agrippina's memory = Death of Burrus caused great public distress - also allowed Tiselius who encouraged his poor behaviour to indulge in his vices creating a complete instability in the Empire à linking to Tigenillnus position

Reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious and administrative Tiberius

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Reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious and administrative - Nero

Political: · Maintained political power of the Praetorian Guard by paying donative or gift of money of 15,000 sesterces · checked the serious depopulation of Italy, and provided for the army by establishing colonies at Capua, Puteoli and Nuceria Social: after the great fire of 64 AD, paid for new homes for displaced people. Opened public buildings and his own gardens for homeless to take refuge · Reform of the building code to reduce flammability and assist firefighting · Twice distributed 400 sesterces to Roman plebeians · Provided a range of theatrical and gladiatorial games · Substantial aid was given to the Campanian cities, including Pompeii during the earthquake of 63 CE Legal: · Abolished secret and discretionary procedures · A verdict had to be delivered on the same day as a trial · Tried to limit lawyers charges · Reduced remuneration for delatores (informers) · Passed a law that allowed slaves to bring to the city prefect any complaints they had against their masters Religious: · Reversed the previous policy of tolerance towards the Christians and had them persecuted following the Great Fire, punished as arsonists Administrative: · retained the structure of the imperial bureaucracy, although he replaced Claudius' freedman Pallas and Narcissus · appointed 2 imperial prefects to head the aerarium (treasury) older and more experienced · replenished the bankrupt treasury with 400 000 000 sesterces of his own money · devalued the currency to help pay for the rebuilding after the great fire e.g. purity of silver in coinage, weight of gold in aureus

Reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious and administrative - Caligula

Political: · Restored the elections to the people's assembly and returned the staging of the games to the people. Although elections eventually were returned to the senate- people lost electoral power. · Promoted his uncle Claudius to the senate and shared a consulship with him. Social: · Distributed 75 sesterces to all citizens on his accession · Showed pietas-duty to his family-gave a eulogy for Tiberius-escorted his ashes to the mausoleum of Augustus, retrieved the remains of his mother and brother and interred their ashes. · Exhibited more than lawful numbers of gladiators · Promoted extravagant spectacles · He partook in countless sexual encounters with prostitutes, upper class women, other's wives, and men. Much of which may be regarded as rape He would order the torture and execution of many prisoners, having their bodies fed to wild animals. Legal: · Ended maiestas, then reinstated it · 5th panel of jurors instated to get through the business legal backlog · Auctioned the lives of gladiators · Inheritance laws changed: diverted all inheritances to himself, not the family of those who had passed Religious: · Grandmother Antonia Augusta, given privileges of vestal virgin, 'Augusta' · Sisters granted honours of vestal virgins, included in annual oaths · Deified while he was still alive · Drusilla deified on death in CE 38, senate made her goddess Panthea · Accused of anti-Semitism, but received Jewish delegation to Rome, upset Jews in Judaea by ordering his statue in the temple in Jerusalem (he died before it was completed) Administrative: · asked the public to lend the government money, levying taxes in lawsuits, weddings and prostitution

Reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious and administrative Tiberius

Political: · Encouraged a strong and independent senate · Elections moved from peoples' assembly to senate · Ruthless punishment of opponents, often by exile Transfer of significant power to Sejanus Social: · Cut expenditure on gladiatorial games; restricted public generosity Legal: · Used law of maiestas as a weapon against senators accused of treason · Death penalty a likely outcome with exile often refused as an alternative · Property of the guilty confiscated; names removed from public record Religious: · Continued the imperial cult and built a temple to worship Augustus · Did not tolerate Jews in Rome; ordered all Jews of military age to join the army Administrative: · Kept good governors in office for longer than the traditional year · Stopped extortion I provinces by using imperial procurators · All governors made answerable to princeps

Image of Tiberius

Positive Images of the Princeps · Did not seek flattery, he did not seek honours and was contemptuous of sycophantic behaviour · Was wise and far-sighted: was a man who would prefer to be appreciated after his death than to court immediate popularity · Conservative approach: was happy to follow Augustus' approach to ruling · Was frugal but generous when appropriate: did not easily receive requests for state generosity as the finances of the nation would collapse. Negative Images of the Princeps · Tiberius's dissimulation · Tiberius' character: suspicious, morose, grim · The cruelty of Tiberius · His depraved behaviour

Image of Claudius

Positive Images of the Princeps · Polices were rational and balanced · Was willing to expand when he thought it was appropriate · Was willing to assimilate provincials · Was polite to foreign nobles Negative Images of the Princeps · Had a stutter, dribbled and shuffled when he walked · Had a nervous tic of the head · Claim he had no mind of his own · Was a drunk and liked to gamble

Image of Nero

Positive Images of the Princeps · Prosperous first half of reign · Generosity · Great architectural achievements Negative Images of the Princeps · Corpulent, narcissistic man · Indulged himself in the arts · Engaged in a wide variety of sexual activities · Responsible for the persecution of Christians · Murder of his mother · Treason trials and the violent removal of opposition

Image of Caligula

Positive Images of the Princeps · Was calculated · Was liked for his bloodline · People felt bad because his whole family was murdered Negative Images of the Princeps · Violent mood swings · Was very cruel · Killed parts of his family and people close to him · Ordered the execution of prisoners then had their bodies feed to animals · Immorality and sexual depravity · Incest

Reasons for building - Tiberius

Propaganda - Aqueducts (an artificial channel for conveying water, typically in the form of a bridge across a valley or other gap) showed concerns for providing for needs of plebeians - Roads showed the availability & reach of Rome's army - Triumphal arches symbolised political new order - New buildings & continual reconstruction in Rome created a sense of prestige & served to remind occupants and visitors that it was the center of the empire. Hence, displaying the extensive nature of the Roman empire and the power and ability it obtained - especially in regard to their military power Religion - Repairing old temples or buildings new ones connected the emperors to traditional values & the Republic - Temples to the Imperial cult reinforced the emperor's power in the provinces of the empire Thus, reinforcing the values and overall power of the Emperor through the ability to exert some religious control Employment - Capital works ina Rome provided employment for the urban poor - the emperor became their benefactor and this purchased their loyalty Consequently, boosting the economy within Rome and allowing the Roman empire to florish Pleasure & leisure - Many of the building programs were central to Roman leisure - theatres, stadiums, baths. This creates content within the Roman empire as the citizens are entertained and feel as if the emperor cares about them as these buildings have no other purpose than for their entertainment.

Reasons for building - Caligula

Propaganda - Aqueducts showed concerns for providing for needs of plebeians - Roads showed the availability & reach of Rome's army - Triumphal arches symbolised political new order - New buildings & continual reconstruction in Rome created a sense of prestige & served to remind occupants and visitors that it was the centre of the empire. = Caligula heavily integrated properties of propaganda for his reign throughout Rome in order to portray himself as a successful leader Religion - Repairing old temples or buildings new ones connected the JC emperors to traditional values & the Republic = Temples to the Imperial cult reinforced the emperor's power in the provinces of the empire - Caligula announced his self-deification, building temples and erecting statues, even in Rome, to his glorified self. Source: Suetonius, Life of Caligula "He began from that time on to lay claim to divine majesty; for after giving orders that such statues of the gods as were especially famous for their sanctity or their artistic merit Employment - Capital works in Rome provided employment for the urban poor = the emperor became their benefactor and this purchased their loyalty Pleasure & leisure - Many of the building programs were central to Roman leisure - theatres, stadiums, baths. = pleased the general public significantly

Administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen, Pallas and Narcissus - Claudius

Responsible for establishing what has been called an imperial civil services. The administrative departments included: - finance (rationibus) -judicial cases - a cognitionibus -literary matters and patronage - a studiius Outcome: - greatly improved administrative efficiency Narcissus - secretary of imperial correspondence: - Claudius own former slave, trsuted with great responsibility - composed letters to governors, commanders and others -dealt with substantial correspondence between princeps, officials and citizens throughout the empire Pallas - head of finance: -former slave of Claudius' mother (Antonia Minor), then client of Claudius - managed provincial revenue and Claudius' imperial estates - responsible for grain supply, public works and the army pay roll Additionally: - rearranged the senatorial and imperial provinces to centralise control within reign e.g. Macedonia and Achaea were returned to senatorial control - improved infrastructure of the empire e.g. Via Claudia Augusta, a road 525 km in length, linked Augsberg to Trent in the Danube region

Development of the principate, including: impact of the death of Augustus - Mutinies of AD 14

Resulted in declamation (every 10th person would get beaten to death) - Mutinies occurred in Penomia and Germany (roman borders) - the change in command as a way to air their grievance due to insufficient government financial benefits and improper army time (people serving 30 instead of 20 years etc) = Germanicus and Drusus were sent to a site to assist with settling this

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Agrippina the Younger - Claudius

Role of Agrippina the Younger (Gaius' sister, married to uncle in 49 AD): - Consolidated Claudius legitimacy and the succession. Adopted her son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (Nero Claudius Caesar). - Married Octavia to Nero in 53 AD-confirming his succession by becoming princeps iuventutis - Rivalry between supporters of Nero and Britannicus arose - Agrippina had any threats executed; Narcissus and Britannicus

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Julia - Tiberius

Role of Julia: -Julia was the only known biological child of Augustus and, like many prominent Roman women, was used as a political tool through the pathway of marriage. 1st marriage: Marcus Marcellus Claudius at 14, but he died early and there were no children. 2nd marriage: Augustus friend Agrippa. Five children; Cauis Caesar, Julia the Younger, Lucius Caesar, Agrippina the Elder (mother of Gaius Caligula) and Agrippa Postumus (son born after his father's death - Agrippa) 3rd Marriage: Tiberius. No children and not a happy marriage. -Augustus adopted her 2 oldest sons as successors and Tiberius -2 BCE Julia was arrested for adultery, possible treason and exiled. -Julia's daughter - Agrippina the elder, who leads the succession of the Julio - Claudians through her marriage to Germanicus

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Livia - Tiberius

Role of Livia (Augustus 3rd wife): -Livia and Augustus had no children, so Augustus looked for successors; initially Marcus Claudius Marcellus (Augustus nephew who was married to Julia was chosen) BUT he did of fever early on - Augustus friend Agrippa then married Julia and together they had 3 sons; Gaius Caesar and Lucius Caesar whom Augustus adopted, as well as Agrippa postumus. - After Agrippa died Julia then married Tiberius. - Lucias and Gaius both died early so, at Livia's urging, Augustus reluctantly adopted Tiberius and Agrippa Postumus, another son of Julia and Agrippa -Livia was ambitious for her son and tried to manipulate the succession towards Tiberius after the death of Drusus -Livia (Augustus wife) held off from announcing Augustus death, until Tiberius was told Role of Julia: -Julia was the only known biological child of Augustus and, like many prominent Roman women, was used as a political tool through the pathway of marriage. 1st marriage: Marcus Marcellus Claudius at 14, but he died early and there were no children. 2nd marriage: Augustus friend Agrippa. Five children; Cauis Caesar, Julia the Younger, Lucius Caesar, Agrippina the Elder (mother of Gaius Caligula) and Agrippa Postumus (son born after his father's death - Agrippa) 3rd Marriage: Tiberius. No children and not a happy marriage. -Augustus adopted her 2 oldest sons as successors and Tiberius -2 BCE Julia was arrested for adultery, possible treason and exiled. -Julia's daughter - Agrippina the elder, who leads the succession of the Julio - Claudians through her marriage to Germanicus

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Messalina - Claudius

Role of Valeria Messalina: (great grandniece of Augustus) 3rd wife o Marriage lasted 10 years - Role: protecting her own position and that of her son. Very jealous of Agrippina the Younger and Julia Livilla. (both descendants of Augustus so both husbands could be leaders and remove Claudius so she had charges brought against Julia and exiled) e.g. Secured executions of prominent Romans, E.g Gnaius Pompeius Magnus was married to Claudius' daughter Antonia and could have claimed throne on Claudius' death, removing Britannicus from succession, so had him executed - Bigamy to Gaius Silius (2nd marriage) would have put Claudius position in jeopardy so had Gaius and her executed

Sejanus' influence

Sejanus was ambitious and some of his actions suggest he was trying to become principate: - The suggestion attributed to him that the Praetorian Guard be stationed in a single camp- the camp was established in CE 23, just outside Rome near the Port Viminalis - The murder of Drusus in CE 23- Sejanus is blamed for inducing Livilla, whom he was having an affair, to poison her husband - o His request to be allowed to marry Livilla, now Drusus' widow- such a marriage would have made him the stepfather of Tiberius Gemellus, Tiberius' grandson and heir. If Tiberius died, Sejanus could have governed the empire until Tiberius Gemellus came of age.

Tiberius - treasosn trials

Source: Walker, 1952 · 18 executions were carried out - only 5 were directly from Tiberius & · There were 12 case dismissal - 7 due to Tiberius personally Tacitus presented this in a bad light as he did not like Domitian (due to extensive treason trials which he interpretated and were inspired by Tiberius), he lived under Domitians reign hence he had a dislike for trials as he witnessed friends dying BUT · Can't be sure we have all of the trials and know the full extent of the trials - sources suggest hundreds, but we only have 80 cases Still 80 is around a third of the Senate

The Senate: changing role and responsibilities - Tiberius

Tension between the princeps and the senate began in Tiberius' reign = He recognised that he needed the senate to rule the empire & consulted the senate on every issue to restore traditional rights e.g. Suetonius reports that he consulted the Senate on national revenue, repair of buildings, troop movements, military commands and foreign policy - Tiberius expanded the judicial role of the Senate by making it responsible for trying provincial officials and those charged with maiestas and (occasionally) murder. The senatorial court dealt with many treason cases in Tiberius' reign -Like Augustus, Tiberius assisted indidivuals to meet the financial qualifications of the senatorial group. - The election of magistrates was transferred from the comitia (people's assembly) to the Senate. Tiberius tried to encourage the Senate to become a significant legislative body - Senatorial commissions were set up to deal with the problems of the flooding of the Tiber, the care of public buildings, the maintenance of public records, investigation of catastrophes—such as the collapse of the Amphitheatre in AD 27 and periodic earthquakes. BUT Tib. retired to Capri in CE21 = Could no longer control what happened in the senate, Sejanus was able to control access to the princeps & treason trials- many senators made accusations of maiestas in order to get rid of rivals or get a share of their forfeited property

Administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen, Pallas and Narcissus

The Julio-Claudians continued the adminstration set up by Augsutus in that they controlled imperial provinces while the Senate controlled public and senatorial provinces.

Development of the imperial cult throughout the empire: Augustus

The cult had its origins from Hellenistic kingdoms where rulers were traditionally worshipped as Gods - identifiedi emperors and some members of the imperial family as the divinely sanctioned authority (auctoritas) - the nature and structure of the imperial cult was formulated during the early years of Augustus' principate and it was quickly established throughout the empire through there were marked variations in its acceptance and practise - The official offer of cultus to a living emperor acknowledged divine approval of his office and rule Influenced areas below: 1. Romans were accustomed to the household worship of the family genius so that it was not. too difficult to link the Augustan genius to their households 2. The Julian family was connected to the goddess Venus and indirectly to the god Mars and thus they could be appealed to in matters 3. The cult echoed the honours paid to Caesur by the Senate, such as having a month named after gum, a priest ordained in his name and being deified after death - the imperial cult spread quickly throughout the eastern provinces as the concept of a living god was not new -the cult was funded through private and public initiative, and ranged from the godlike honours of a living patron to privately funded communal mystery rites. - helped to promote the loyalty of provincials to the emperor. there is evidence that this led Roman authorities to take the initiative ono setting the cult up in some regions - Use: Romanise regions, consolidate the loyalty of local elites, whose members were responsible for the provincial administration and priesthood. Followed by armies and individuals. Useful tool for propaganda e.g. the Sebasteion at Aphrodisias.

Significance of building programs - Tiberius

Tiberius was cautious of sesterces (money) and didn't spend much on any elaborate building programs → this is dissimilar to Augustus' as he expended a lot of money on building programs Due to this lack of extensive spending on programs he saved between 2,700,000,000 - 3,300,000,000 for his successors "What public buildings did he construct in his own name or that of his family! With what pious munificence" Reputation: - Started rebuilding of Pompey's Theatre Temple to Aug - Finished many of Augustus' buildings - Palace on the Palatine. - Arch - commemorating Roman victory over Germans - Rebuilt/ adorned many public works - gave money to individuals to help with this - Replaced buildings destroyed by fires - AD 26, 36 - Contributed to the rebuilding cities destroyed in earthquake in province of Asia e.g. The Villa Jovis on Capri (completed in AD 27- with living, administration & reception areas and a watchtower - for shouting out to the mainland.) The structure, built to an uncommon height, consisted of a number of different floors terraced along the natural slope of the land. e.g. Temple of Augustus Built and financed by Tiberius and Livia (43 B.C.-A.D. 37) built a temple to house the cult of the deified Augustus; it took many years to complete and was finally dedicated by Caligula (A.D. 12-41)

Rome's relationships with key power in the region

West Rhine-Danube · Rhine frontier- provinces of Raetia, Noricum and Alpes Maritimae established · Danube frontier- provinces of Pannonia and Moesia established Gaul · Provinces of Aquitania, Lugdunensis and Belgica established · Lyons- administrative and commercial centre East Asia Minor · Roman standards lost to Parthia at Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC regained by Tiberius · Pro-Roman king in Armenia - a buffer zone between Rome and Parthia · New province of Galatia in central Asia Minor · Client kingdoms established in Cappadocia, Commagene and Chalcis Egypt- North Africa · Egypt made an imperial province- had special status as main source of Rome's grain supply · Mauretania made a client kingdom

Imperial family and problems of the succession: Agrippina the Elder - Tiberius

o Granddaughter of Augustus and the daughter of his friend Agrippa. o Impeccable bloodline - 19 CE After Germanicus death, she returned to Rome to put forward her sons as successors to Tiberius. She continued to complain about her husband's death and about Tiberius. -Agrippina was a threat to Tiberius as any man she married would have shared in her power -She became part of the anti - Sejanus contingent and in 29 CE she had her sons Drusus and Nero were arrested, trialled and exiled to Pandateria - Her and her sons died in exile which removed any threat to Sejanus and Tiberius in terms of validity of her lineage

Political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army, role of Sejanus, Macro and Burrus - Caligula

played a critical role in his accession to power as it is not known if the senate would have agreed to him becoming princeps without Macro's support. In return for this support, Gaius bestowed gifts on the Praetorian Guard and doubled the amount Tiberius left them in his will, an event which was commemorated on a coin - CE 38 Macro lost his influence as Gaius realised; he could be a possible threat to his power. He had him arrested and striped of his office - Macro was replaced with 2 prefects and the number of cohorts was increased to 12. - Praetorians went with Caigula to Rhine at the time of the conspiracy of Gaeticulus (an ally of Sejanus) - the nature of the conspiracy remains unclear but it. potentially orients around the Lepidus affair = Lepidus was arrested and executed - CE 41 the Praetorians under Cassius Chaerea, and a number of senators assassinated Gaius. Chaerea had been mercilessly mocked by him and could no longer stand the deliberate provocation. - on Gaius' death the senate proclaimed the restoration of the republic, but the Praetorians chose Claudius as princeps. = This showed how far the power of the Praetorians had come in that they could overrule the senate and install a leader of their choosing.

Reasons for building - Claudius

· Claudius' building programs focussed on infrastructure rather than grand building

Significance of building programs - Claudius

· Claudius' building programs focussed on infrastructure rather than grand building e.g. · Aqueducts: Claudius completed the aqueducts started by Gaius. Known as Aqua Claudia and the Aqua Anio Novis opened in CE 52. He also restored the Aqua Virgo built by Agrippa during Augustus principate e.g. · Construction of roads and canals: Claudius coordinated the building of roads and canals throughout Italy and Germany as part of his process of 'Romanisation', also as a return the 'Augustan model'. Examples of roads include to road between Italy and Germany. Canals were built between the Rhine and the sea and between Rome and the new port at Ostia e.g. Construction of a new harbour: along the Tiber river in order to regulate its flow and prevent flooding. This helped expand trade and connected the Tiber to Rome's main port at Ostia. This project was commemorated on coins and inscriptions. e.g. · Draining of the Fucine Lake: an attempt to drain the Pontine marshes in order to increase agricultural lands and make the nearby rivers navigable throughout the year. The excavation of a long tunnel proved too narrow to allow water to flow through it. Neither plan was successful though they did employ thousands of men for over ten years. Source: Cassius Dio (60.33) - "When the Fucine Lake caved in, Narcissus was severely blamed for it... than he had received he had then purposely contrived the collapse" Source:- Inscription advertises his claim that he 'freed the city from flooding' Source: Coins advertised the 'Augustan harvest"

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Claudius

· Claudius foreign policy of the expansion and assimilation tended to follow that of Julius Caesar rather than that of Augustus. His reign was one of military achievements. He can be credited with; o Gaining new territory for Rome's empire, in particular Britain o Assimilating the inhabitants of newly acquired territory o Stressing the military role of the princeps - He rewarded the friendship, assistance and loyalty of provincials with increased status and citizenship. The assimilation of Latin culture in the provinces resulted in the further extension of rights and privileges.

Development of the imperial cult throughout the empire: Nero

· Fostered the cult of his own genius as pater familias of the Roman people. · Early in his principate he rejected gold and silver statues of himself, only Gods had that and he wasn't a God. · In the East he was identified as various Gods e.g: Helios (Apollo) and Zeus (Jupiter) · Allowed the deification of his infant daughter Claudia and his wife Poppaea. · 14 years of reign he transformed the cult of the divine emperor into a reflection of his absolute power. e.g. o Some sources suggest Nero promoted himself as a God, referring to the colossal statue of him as sun god in his Golden House, the image of him on coins wearing a radiant crown and his conduct at crowning Tiridates, Where he prostrated himself before Nero who was dressed as the eastern God Mithras. Tacitus records that the Senate erected a statue of Nero in the Temple of Mars, first time the Emperor had been directly associated with a God in Rome - Erected a huge statue of himself wearing the Sun Crown in the Domus Aurea.

Year of the Four Emperors: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian

· Four emperors in 1 year reflect how difficult the task had become in such a highly unstable political landscape · Following the death of Nero, Rome endured a tumultuous 12 months period where three emperors (Galba, Otho and Vitellius) were named and deposed of before Vespasian finally restored stability

Imperial family and problems of the succession - Nero

· Had no heirs after his death · Year of the four Emperors

Development of the imperial cult throughout the empire: Tiberius

· He and his mother (Livia) provided funds for a temple and a priesthood for the deified Augustus - he didn't encourage imperial cult for himself. · Rejected a request from Spain to build a temple in his honour, according to Tacitus he didn't want them thinking he was immortal · Tiberius refused to allow the Senate to make Livia a goddess when she died, and he himself was not deified at death. Claudius deified Livia in his reign. · CE 26 Tacitus: Tiberius reluctantly allowed a temple to be built in Smyrna to 'Tiberius, Livia and the Senate, 11 cities competed for this honour · Tiberius was included in the Aphrodisias and in Hispania (Spain) in the Bilbilis - this was built under his reign in modern-day Turkey - it was a massive temple that showed reliefs of Julio-Claudian rulers as gods, as well as vignettes of mythology e.g. contains images of Augustus and Nero, Claudius dominating Britannica and Nero subduing. Armenia

Primary motives for building programs

· Promotion of princeps and their family-propaganda, maintain loyalty in the provinces · Promotion of the Gods · Food and water supply-aqueducts were a necessity for Roman life-served 1 million people - Practical measures to address the needs and welfare of the people · Entertainment of the people Responses to natural disasters e.g floods, fires and earthquakes · Commemoration or celebration of particular triumph

Political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army, role of Sejanus, Macro and Burrus - Tiberius

· Saw the beginnings of the increasing political role of the Praetorian Guard · Sejanus was prefect of the Praetorian Guard and had a close relationship with Tiberius - became sole prefect in 15CE -· Became Tiberius' trusted advisor 'the partner in my labours' -Sejanus used Livia and Livilla to get Tiberius to exile Agrippina and her children - · When Tiberius begins promoting Caligula, Sejanus plots to kill Tiberius - Antonia Minor, widow of Tiberius' brother Nero Claudius Drusus considered Sejanus a threat and convinced Tiberius. Sejanus was denounced in the senate and immediately executed as were his children · 'reign of Terror' as Tiberius arrested and executed anyone thought to have committed treason · These were carried out by the new prefect Macro

Development of the imperial cult throughout the empire: Claudius

· Succession to power, Claudius adopted the name Caesar and deified Augustus' wife Livia (13 years after her death) · 42 CE pater patriae (father of the fatherland) Refused the offer of a cult to his own genius. It was an honour to ask and be asked and a refusal could be considered very offensive, so he diminished the prestige inherent in the role of the princeps. · Allowed a single temple built at Camulodunum in Britain following his conquest of the island · Permitted the erection of statues to himself in Alexandria. · After Claudius died in 54 CE Nero ensured he was deified. Nero and his wife (Agrippina became the high priestess of his cult. The divius (divine Claudius) was given a temple on Romes mons Caelius. · Once Agrippina was murdered, Nero allowed Claudius's cult to lapse and built his own Domus Auerea over the unfinished temple. e.g. · Britain: The imperial cult centred in Camulodunum (Colchester) where the Temple of Claudius was built during Claudius lifetime. Was the largest classical roman temple. A bronze head of Claudius was found in Suffolk in 1907, might have occupied in the settlement at Camulodunum. e.g. Egypt: Remains of an imperial chapel have been found at the temple of Amun at Karnak near the first pylon. The bases of 14 statues of Roman emperors were found around the cellar, the inner area of the temple, three of which are ascribed to Claudius.

The relationship of the princeps and the army - Claudius

· The army was crucial for its role in maintaining the borders of the empire and expanding them under Claudius. It was also used as a means of controlling unruly populations. The Praetorians chose Claudius and because of this he needed their ongoing support, which led to him developing a military image. = He was shown on coins, buildings and every possible public occasion in military garb, often in the guise of a god. - Reforms within the army: rewarded his troops with titles and grants of citizenship e.g. Started the system of awarding certificates for honourable discharge of soldiers -In order to build relations with the army he personally led his troops into Britain in 43 CE and in his return to Rome held a triumph. e.g. Coins show the title imperator on the observe side and the triumphal arch honouring the achievement on the reverse. He was saluted as an imperator 27 occasions -Marriage to Agrippina was to build relations with -The army was well disciplined and generally content throughout Claudius reign, a situation helped by choosing talented generals such as Galba, Corbulo, Vespasian

Expansion and consolidation of the empire - Nero

· The efficient administration of the provinces was more a matter of luck than good management under Nero. · He had very little interest in the provinces apart from Greece, for which he had a passion because of the artistic accomplishments of the people The East: -attempted to annex Armenia when the Parthian king put his brother Tiridates on the throne. -Corbulo captured the Armenian capital, causing Tiridates to flee. -The Romans put Tigranes on the Throne ( a descendant of Herod the Great). -When the Parthians attacked him, Nero sent Lucius Casesennius Paetus, a consul to help - However, he proved incompetent and surrendered to the Parthians in a humiliating loss - 64 CE Client Kingdom of Pontus was annexed. Asian minor and the Black Sea area all came under direct roman rule. Judaea: - The Jewish desire for independence, this mismanagement of Roman officials between 62 and 64 CE and the Roman preoccupation with Armenia and Parthia led to rebellion in 66 CE Britain: - South-east of the Province was peaceful, but there was trouble on the frontiers. Suetonius Paulinus, who was governor in 59 CE, successfully attacked the island of Anglesey or Mona, as it was known then, the headquarters of the Druids. - o This was eclipsed by the revolt of the Iceni, led by the Queen, Boudicca. The Iceni were motivated to revolt by: -their heavy tax load -Roman confiscation of lands Claudius had granted to tribal nobles -the whipping of Boudicca and rape of her daughters after the death of Prasutagus, the king. - o The rebels conquered Camulodunum, butchering all Roman survivors and defeating the Ninth legion. Suetonius Paulinus defended Londinium, where, although heavily outnumbered, his forces overwhelmed Boudicca and her army. Nero sent a new governor to Britain after Suetonius Paulinus had been persuaded to reduce the severity of his reprisals.

Development of the imperial cult throughout the empire: Caligula

· To legalise Gaius's succession the Senate was compelled to constitutionally define his role by acknowledging his proconsular imperium, maius imperium and tribunician powers, as such the associated rites and sacrifices to the living genius of the emperor and the imperial cult were conferred upon Gaius when he assumed the Principate. · Caligula regarded himself as a god almost immediately. Insisting he was an incarnation of Jupiter. In Eastern provinces cult centres were established. · Suetonius and Cassus Dio - Gaius saw himself as a God and encouraged others to do the same. Subjects referred to him as dominus (lord) · Demanded divine status from the senate. C J Simpson is certain that a cult of Caligula was formally introduced to use his 'divinity' as a form of imperial control. · 3 sisters as vestal virgins · On Drusilla's death she was made a goddess, only significance to society was that she was his sister. Issues in the East: o 38 CE Gaius offended the Jewish faith by ordering a huge bronze statue of himself to be placed in the Jerusalem temple. Publius Petronius (Syrian legate) was ordered to implement the order, using force if necessary, as they were beginning to interfere with the Imperial Cult in other places. Herod Agrippa negotiated a compromise - however, Gaius dies before it had to be carried out. o Alexandrian Greeks complained that they didn't have anything to worship him as a 'saviour and benefactor. So they had images of Gaius set up in the synagogue. Then others refused to worship.

The relationship of the princeps and the army

· Under Augustus the Principate had been established on the exercise of imperium maius(supreme military power), making the army the backbone of the Julio Claudian power. Soldiers swore oaths of personal loyalty to the princeps and this continued throughout the dynasty until Nero's purge of commanders alienated the army. - Soldiers received their salary, general welfare and pensions of land or cash on retirement and bonuses, directly from the emperor or the centralised financial administration. This reduced their dependence on the generals and thus undermined the patron - client relationship that existed between generals and soldiers The army was the power base of the principate → a positive relationship between them and the emperor/princeps was highly beneficial

Year of the Four Emperors: Vespasian December 69 CE

· Vespasian came from a respectable but previously little known family from Northeast of Rome. - Initially he was not interested in a career in the circus honorum but was encouraged by his mother to do so -His early career was undistinguished but he rose through the ranks and flourished under the rule of Claudius e.g. He had several victories in Britain that earned him a triumph on his return to Rome. -He became a consul and was then made governor of Africa, where he spent time making friends rather than money. -He was not popular with Nero, allegedly because he fell asleep in one of Nero's performances -Vespasian was in Egypt securing the grain from the supply when his forces inflicted defeat on Vitellius. He was then named princeps by the senate - Vespasian had the ability to be the princeps that Rome needed. The senate passed the lex de imperio Vespasiani- a law that made him legal heir to the Julio-Claudians, but he was the first emperor of the Flavian dynasty - He entered Rome at the start of 70 CE with the support of the army. He then began the task of stabilising Rome, establishing the Flavian Dynasty in the process -had the support of the legions in the East and West, and for the first time in many years. Rome experienced political stability under the Flavian dynasty