An Age of Conspiracies - The Pax Romana Podcast 10

Tiberius rules Rome—the second man now to serve as princeps—a new autocratic ruler with a lifetime term—an all-powerful guardian to keep the Republic from descending into civil war. But Tiberius seemed a reluctant emperor. He refused titles and honors—undermining his own regime’s propaganda. He lacked patience for senatorial politics—alienating the Roman nobility. And, in the year AD 26, just twelve years into his reign, he abandoned Rome forever. The imperial capital was rudderless. And into the void stepped the praetorian prefect Sejanus. And he seems to have had a plan to become Tiberius’ heir, and the next Roman emperor. Would it succeed? Primary Sources Referenced:Suetonius, Life of Tiberius 43-45.Cassius Dio, Roman History 58.Tacitus, Annals 3.65.Suetonius, Life of Tiberius 75.Buy Professor Elliott's newest book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pox Romana: The Plague that Shook the Roman World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, published by Princeton University Press.