Tiberius (Blackwell Ancient Lives)
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Review
"This second edition is a welcome revision of the excellent Tiberius ... The book has much to commend it ... Undergraduates will find it an excellent resource, and one not beyond sixth–form students." Journal of Classics Teaching
Review
"This second edition is a welcome revision of the excellent Tiberius ... The book has much to commend it ... Undergraduates will find it an excellent resource, and one not beyond sixth-form students." Journal of Classics Teaching
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First Sentence
For a man with political ambitions in the late republic the way to eminence in the state was the cursus honorum, the succession of magistracies that made up a career in public office. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
For a man with political ambitions in the late republic the way to eminence in the state was the cursus honorum, the succession of magistracies that made up a career in public office. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Seager's contribution to the Blackwell Ancient Lives series is excellent and contributes to the quality the series has especially when it comes to Roman Lives. His work on Tiberius is especially praiseworthy, created a far more complex and complete picture of the second princeps than traditional scholarship allows, balancing the need to revise Tiberius' place in antiquity while avoiding the pitfalls of some biographers to overstate their subject's goodness or importance. The book is well written and very accessible and features an excellent introductory chapter on the reign of Augustus to bring the reader up to speed before launching in to its subject matter.
The picture of Tiberius is well crafted and captures a real sense of the dilemma of the man, torn between the ideals of republicanism and the duties to the memory of Augustus as his adoptive son. It is possible to see him as a reluctant princeps and Seager does an excellent job of indentifying the ways in which Augustus loomed large in Tiberius thoughts, especially where the influence was not strictly positive including the weakness of the senate in undertaking duties within the state and also the lack of certain policy on the German frontier. Seager is also good at identifying Tiberius' many good achievements especially in the earlier part of his reign.
The book may surprise some with interests in the history of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. Seager is especially critical of Germanicus (though perhaps not enough is made of Germanicus' trip to Egypt) but doesn't really settle on the extent of Tiberius involvement in his death. Equally Seager doesn't absolutely decide on Tiberius relationship with Seianus, though his overall treatment of Seianus in the account is excellent. In the closing chapters of the book Seager complies with the more traditional view of Tiberius especially in discussing his "reign of terror" and the volume and nature of the maiestas trials.
I thoroughly recommend this work to anyone with an interest in the history of the Early Principate/Julio-Claudians/Roman Empire. Many people spend a lot of time studying Augustus, which unfortunately leads to a diminished place in history for Tiberius, which is disappointing given the length of his reign and the stability he brought to the empire. Hopefully this book will go a long way to redressing at least some of the balance.
The picture of Tiberius is well crafted and captures a real sense of the dilemma of the man, torn between the ideals of republicanism and the duties to the memory of Augustus as his adoptive son. It is possible to see him as a reluctant princeps and Seager does an excellent job of indentifying the ways in which Augustus loomed large in Tiberius thoughts, especially where the influence was not strictly positive including the weakness of the senate in undertaking duties within the state and also the lack of certain policy on the German frontier. Seager is also good at identifying Tiberius' many good achievements especially in the earlier part of his reign.
The book may surprise some with interests in the history of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. Seager is especially critical of Germanicus (though perhaps not enough is made of Germanicus' trip to Egypt) but doesn't really settle on the extent of Tiberius involvement in his death. Equally Seager doesn't absolutely decide on Tiberius relationship with Seianus, though his overall treatment of Seianus in the account is excellent. In the closing chapters of the book Seager complies with the more traditional view of Tiberius especially in discussing his "reign of terror" and the volume and nature of the maiestas trials.
I thoroughly recommend this work to anyone with an interest in the history of the Early Principate/Julio-Claudians/Roman Empire. Many people spend a lot of time studying Augustus, which unfortunately leads to a diminished place in history for Tiberius, which is disappointing given the length of his reign and the stability he brought to the empire. Hopefully this book will go a long way to redressing at least some of the balance.
Format:Paperback
This is a good study of the life history and career of Tiberius. The author acknowledges the paucity of source material and their perceived biases. He then synthesises these into an eminently readable narrative with attempts to find the 'real' man behind the history.
Where multiple interpretations of actions are possible he tends to pick the most favourable to his subject - picturing the second princeps as a reluctant despot, really wanting a return to the old ways of the Republic but stymied by a Senate no longer able to take decisions. Much in the same way Oliver Cromwell is often portrayed.
He makes a good case for his man, but does not seek to hide evidence against him. I can certainly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the development of the governent of the Roman Empire.
Where multiple interpretations of actions are possible he tends to pick the most favourable to his subject - picturing the second princeps as a reluctant despot, really wanting a return to the old ways of the Republic but stymied by a Senate no longer able to take decisions. Much in the same way Oliver Cromwell is often portrayed.
He makes a good case for his man, but does not seek to hide evidence against him. I can certainly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the development of the governent of the Roman Empire.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
A very detailed and balanced look at the 2nd Emperor of Rome
3 July 2005
Format:Paperback
When I first discovered Robin Seager, it was through his book, "Pompey the Great". This was a book I just couldn't read finding it utterly long-winded and excruciatingly detailed (read: boring!). I did eventually read it, when I was ready, and discovered Seager to be an impressive historian whose fondness for detail I greatly enjoyed. Thus, I picked up Tiberius hoping for more of the same. And I wasn't disappointed. Tiberius was the second Principate of Rome having been adopted by Augustus to take over after his death. He was certainly not the first choice but in the end, Tiberius outlived all the other potential heirs Augustus had chosen. Tiberius was an honoured and respected general who had Republican sensibilities. As Principate, he clashed numerous times with the Senate over its inabilities to make decisions for itself and deferring many issues back to him (after he initially passed onto them). Seager takes us through Tiberius' life from his childhood roots (and the eventual familial-bond that he and Augustus would share) to his selection as Principate. He looks at the different occurrences in Tiberius' early life that set him down his eventual path (but not without some resistance first) and his role as Principate (from determining attacks to his relationship with the people). Seager provides a very comprehensive view of the second Principate's reign and his accomplishments and failures. Many have criticized Tiberius and claimed him a tyrant due to his misuse of maiestas (a sort of treason law), allowing Piso (Tiberius' friend) to bring down Germanicus (the much loved successor to-be of Tiberius if he had survived), his war and subsequent unfair treatment of Agrippina (mother of Gauis, wife of Germanicus) and his allowing of Sejanus to manipulate him for his own ambitions (which were obviously detrimental to Rome and many persons within). Although not excusing his behaviour, especially the later half as his mental reason began to crumble; Seager portrays a man who never had the ambitions to be Principate. Unlike many others, Tiberius wanted to end his days in peace and be left alone. What he got instead was the greatest responsibility, which with his virtues, he couldn't easily let go of. Although a very capable leader, Tiberius' greatest weaknesses were his poor attitude to the Principate position and his arrogance and stubbornness towards others. This is what caused the conflicts with the Senate and allowed people such as Sejanus to rise in power and cause so many problems. Tiberius showed himself initially as a fair and reasonable leader but as time went on, he detached himself from his position and its responsibilities and allowed others to take advantage of it. Seager shows that Tiberius was not a tyrant but rather a man who became too disillusioned and too stubborn to let go.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A Balanced View
11 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read a number of accounts about Tiberius, both historical and modern, my interest was taken whilst reading Robin Seager's informative book.
Suetonius' portrayal has too often been taken at face value and has been too much credence. Therefore we are given a view of a man who was a monster. Which is all very well if sensation is the priority?
Seager's book shows Tiberius as a person whose complex character left him vulnerable to suggestion and later in life, suspicious and fearful.
When his formative years are taken into account, the reader can more easily see the seeds of paranoia which were later to manifest.
This book is eminently readable, fascinating and thought-provoking. Highly recommendable to those who wish to expand their knowledge of the second Princeps of the Roman Empire.
Suetonius' portrayal has too often been taken at face value and has been too much credence. Therefore we are given a view of a man who was a monster. Which is all very well if sensation is the priority?
Seager's book shows Tiberius as a person whose complex character left him vulnerable to suggestion and later in life, suspicious and fearful.
When his formative years are taken into account, the reader can more easily see the seeds of paranoia which were later to manifest.
This book is eminently readable, fascinating and thought-provoking. Highly recommendable to those who wish to expand their knowledge of the second Princeps of the Roman Empire.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great Read
15 July 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Seager provides a highly detailed record of the life of Tiberius. The author concentrated a good deal on the issue of succession during the Julio-Claudian period. Fate was cruel to Augustus as his preferred heirs died, leaving his stepson, Tiberius, to fill the role of Rome's most powerful man. Never truly wanting his position, Tiberius wished to do what was needed until another successor of Augustus' bloodline came of age and fame. Fate was similarly cruel to Tiberius as it was to Augustus, and the rest of his rule turned out to be unpopular and corrupt.
Seager analyzes much of Tiberius' reign through Tiberius' character traits, legal trials, and the lives of those close to him. The biography is well written and informative, but prior information is needed to fully comprehend the material. For those not versed in Roman history, you might not enjoy the book as I did.
Seager analyzes much of Tiberius' reign through Tiberius' character traits, legal trials, and the lives of those close to him. The biography is well written and informative, but prior information is needed to fully comprehend the material. For those not versed in Roman history, you might not enjoy the book as I did.
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