The Julio Claudian Emperors Can pride destroy a life?

Tiberius Augustus’ 3 rd choice for successor was Tiberius after Marcellus and Agrippa died unexpectedly Forced by Augustus to divorce his wife and marry, Augustus’ daughter Julia, Agrippa’s sons died early forcing Augustus to choose Tiberius whom he adopted at age 50, forced Tiberius to adopt Germanicus who was Augustus’ grandson in law Tiberius did what was asked of him, took control at 56, well trained general and administrator Firmed up frontier, sent Germanicus to help secure borders Built roads and public works, appointed qualified governors, left Rome 20X’s better financially Smothered in bed by rival, who supported Caligua, Germanicus’ son also known as little boots

Caligula Started out as emperor as courteous and generous Restarted expansion by invading Parthia whom Tiberius had made a treaty and Britannia, became very ill almost died Came back some what insane, wanting to prove he was immortal, Called himself a god, made his favorite horse a senator and consul, forced senators to bring their wives so he could sleep with them or serve him as slaves, drowned his mother Spent most of the surplus Tiberius had built up of money for lavish dinners with orchestras and his own games, had to sue for personal property to continue to pay for it all Fell in love with his sister Had Gemillus his coruler killed Killed by his own guards in a secret passage

Claudius When guards killed Caligula ran through the palace, found Claudius hiding behind a curtain, 50 yr old stuttering buffoon, made him emperor instead of killing him like they did Caligula’s sister and daughter Considered an idiot who became well educated, became an effective manager of the empire, streamlined administration, started a cabinet of advisors Weaknesses of gambling, drinking and his wives, divorced 1 st 2 wives for adultery, then married a 15 yr old, had a son Britannicus, married a consul while Claudius was away, Cludius married Agrippina, her son Nero was adopted, Seneca made his tutor Poisoned by Agrippina so Nero could take the throne

Nero Became emperor at 16,craved recognition and importance Self indulgent, creative, hated by senators 1 st 8 yrs great poisoned Brittanicus at dinnermanged empire gained victories Feared his mother and killed her Appeared in public for music competitions, acting and chariot races Persecuted enemies, confiscated large estates, mishandled provinces and ignored the legions Divorced and exiled 1 st wife, married mistress and had 1 st wife’s head brought to him, kicked 2 nd wife to death while she was pregnant, married a boy, Burned Rome for a new palace and as the city burned played the fiddle, to make room for a new palace, blamed new religion Christianity Murdered by own guards