The Death of Posthumus Agrippa [Commentary #2]

“The first crime of the new reign was the murder of Postumus Agrippa. Though he was surprised and unarmed, a centurion of the firmest resolution despatched [sic] him with difficulty. Tiberius gave no explanation of the matter to the Senate; he pretended that there were directions from his father ordering the tribune in charge of the prisoner not to delay the slaughter of Agrippa, whenever he should himself have breathed his last…It was more probable that Tiberius and Livia, the one from fear, the other from a stepmother’s enmity, hurried on the destruction of a youth whom they suspected and hated” (Tactius, Annals, Book 1)

Tacitus is trying so hard to blame Livia for everything, however, it seems far more reasonable to believe Tiberius murdered Postumus to test his new power. His mother, Livia, even if she was ‘evil’ wouldn’t have any reason to kill Postumus. Tiberius was already in power and Livia wouldn’t want to upset the citizens by killing someone who already seemed to be a matter of controversy. The empire is already in a precarious state and Livia most likely would not want to cause any major disruptions.

It’s clear Tiberius just wanted to test his power and kill someone off; not only to do this, but to see how the people responded. Posthumus was the best choice  as a statement as he was out of the political picture; so it would not seem as if Tiberius was any ‘true’ threat to the politicians in Rome as his vicinity was far out of reach. An exile. However it was clear that Tiberius was testing the citizens, and it is best to assume that if the people did revolt, Tiberius would have no trouble quieting them as he did not seem to take threats to his power lightly.

Commentary © Author of thetwelvecaesars.com

Galba Needs Some Love [Notable Post]

I don’t know how many people know about Galba and I am going to assume a few do, but he was awesome. Yes, he was gullible as Otho lured him to his death and Galba was greedy too. But I think that he needs some more love and attention because:

1. He drew up his own army to oppose Nero, an emperor who could not stand to lose a music contest and would have Vietellius persuade the judges.

2. Galba slept with men and was what Suetonius called a ‘homosexual-invert’- therefore stating that Roman terms of sexuality was different from our own. (I could go on a long rant about how different their views of sexuality were.)

3. He was the first emperor (of his time) to not inherit the throne by adoption or sheer luck. (Yep. I am looking at you, Claudius!)