Tiberius

Lindsay Powell

Tiberius
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Country
United Kingdom
Published
30 May 2025
Pages
320
ISBN
9781473837973

Tiberius

Lindsay Powell

History has not been kind to the memory of Tiberius Caesar (42 BC-AD 37), second emperor of the Romans. His reputation for capable generalship and sensible civic leadership are marred by reports of cruelty, treason trials and sexual depravity. Some historians have described him as a 'tyrant' or even a 'monster'. But does he deserve this negative appraisal? In Tiberius, Lindsay Powell presents a fresh and penetrating reassessment of the life and legacy of the extraordinary man handpicked by Augustus to succeed him. He shows that Tiberius was the right man for the job, at the right time. Tiberius built upon the innovations of Augustus by bolstering the Roman Commonwealth's institutions and reining in its expenditures. He used his proven leadership skills in military and diplomatic affairs to avoid war whenever possible. A no-nonsense disciplinarian willing to eschew popularity for the good of the Res Publica, he respected the Senate's independence, recruited competent public administrators, rooted out malpractice in provincial government, and was generous to communities blighted by disaster. Tiberius examines the known facts of the personal and professional life of Ancient Rome's third longest serving emperor. He was a poet, a collector of art and an astrologer. Lindsay Powell explores how he dealt with success, disappointment and loss all while under the unrelenting pressure of serving Augustus, and then carrying out his ultimate duty by ruling the empire in his own right. Descended from a famous family, his standing has been undermined by his infamous appointees: right-hand man, Aelius Sejanus, who betrayed him; prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilatus, who crucified Jesus of Nazareth; and his successor, Caius, better known as Caligula. Yet, when he died of old age (or was he murdered?), he left the Roman Empire both stronger and at peace. Meticulously researched, Tiberius is lucidly written by the author of the acclaimed biographies Marcus Agrippa and Germanicus. AUTHOR: Lindsay Powell is a historian and writer who has a passion for the military history of the Roman Empire. He is a contributor to Ancient Warfare and his articles have also appeared in Military Heritage and Strategy and Tactics magazines and The History Network. His book for Pen & Sword include Eager for Glory, Germanicus and Marcus Agrippa. A graduate of the University of Aston in Birmingham, he is a veteran of The Ermine Street Guard re-enactment society. He divides his time between Austin, Texas, and Wokingham, England. 35 illustrations

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