Tiberius

Tiberius (42 BC - AD 37), full name Tiberius Caesar Augustus, born Tiberius Claudius Nero, was the second Roman emperor, born at Rome. He was of the Claudian family, became the step-son of Augustus, who, when he was five years old, had married his mother. Tiberius was married to Agrippina, daughter of Agrippa, but was compelled to divorce her and marry Augustus's daughter Julia, by whom he had two sons, on the death of whom he was adopted as the emperor's successor, whom, after various military services in various parts of the empire, he succeeded A.D. 14. His reign was distinguished by acts of cruelty, specially at the instance of the minister Sejanus, whom out of jealousy he put to death. He was given up to debauchery, he was suffocated in a fainting fit by the captain of the Prætorian Guards in A.D. 37, and succeeded by Caligula. It was during his reign Christ was crucified.

Wisdom & Quotes

• To be a good shepherd is to shear the flock, not skin it!

- favourite proverbial saying, which he wrote to the governors who recommended burdensome taxes for his provinces, quoted in Suetonius , Lives of Caesars

• Pray assign me any part in the government you please; but remember that no single man can bear the whole burden of Empire — I need a colleague, or perhaps several colleagues.

– The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

• In a free state there should be freedom of speech and thought.

– The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

• Let me repeat, gentlemen, that a right-minded and true-hearted statesman who has had as much sovereign power placed in his hands as you have placed in mine should regard himself as the servant of the Senate; and often of the people as a whole; and sometimes of private citizens, too. I do not regret this view, because I have always found you to be generous, just, and indulgent masters.

– The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

Lucius Annaeus Seneca