Assess Tiberius' Ability to Achieve an Effective Relationship with the Senate
Assess Tiberius’ ability to achieve an effective relationship with the Senate
Source A
“Tiberius remarked…that, although he did not feel himself capable of the whole burden of government, he was nevertheless prepared to take on any branch of it that might be entrusted to him.” (Tacitus The Annals p 40)
Tiberius was the second emperor of Rome who succeeded Augustus in 14AD (Bradley, 1990). Throughout his reign as Emperor, Tiberius made numerous attempts to try and achieve an effective relationship with the Senate. Primarily seen in Tiberius’ treatment of the Senate and increasing senatorial powers Tiberius attempted at achieving a positive relationship. However, due to their increasing subservience, Tiberius was unsuccessful in his ability to achieve an effective relationship with the Senate.
In the early stages of his reign, Tiberius made many attempts to achieve an effective relationship with the Senate in order to co-rule the Empire (Salmon, 1968). As seen in Source A, Tiberius needed the Senate’s help as running the Empire was an enormous task (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004). Tiberius genuinely sought their aid, sometimes in matters that were not of their concern. “…Asking for advice in every matter that concerned the national revenue and the construction or repair of public buildings…” (Suetonius, Graves, Rives, 2007 p30) Through treating the Senate, individually and as a whole, with respect, Tiberius believed it would achieve an effective relationship with the Senate. Source A states that Tiberius was “prepared to take on any branch”, suggesting his willingness to try anything to acquire a successful relationship with the Senate (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004, p40). An effective relationship was essential because Tiberius believed that in order to rule the Empire, he must have the full support of the Senate (Webb, 2013). Tacitus stated that, “Tiberius wanted to seem like the person chosen by the Senate” (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004). This suggests the amount of
Source A
“Tiberius remarked…that, although he did not feel himself capable of the whole burden of government, he was nevertheless prepared to take on any branch of it that might be entrusted to him.” (Tacitus The Annals p 40)
Tiberius was the second emperor of Rome who succeeded Augustus in 14AD (Bradley, 1990). Throughout his reign as Emperor, Tiberius made numerous attempts to try and achieve an effective relationship with the Senate. Primarily seen in Tiberius’ treatment of the Senate and increasing senatorial powers Tiberius attempted at achieving a positive relationship. However, due to their increasing subservience, Tiberius was unsuccessful in his ability to achieve an effective relationship with the Senate.
In the early stages of his reign, Tiberius made many attempts to achieve an effective relationship with the Senate in order to co-rule the Empire (Salmon, 1968). As seen in Source A, Tiberius needed the Senate’s help as running the Empire was an enormous task (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004). Tiberius genuinely sought their aid, sometimes in matters that were not of their concern. “…Asking for advice in every matter that concerned the national revenue and the construction or repair of public buildings…” (Suetonius, Graves, Rives, 2007 p30) Through treating the Senate, individually and as a whole, with respect, Tiberius believed it would achieve an effective relationship with the Senate. Source A states that Tiberius was “prepared to take on any branch”, suggesting his willingness to try anything to acquire a successful relationship with the Senate (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004, p40). An effective relationship was essential because Tiberius believed that in order to rule the Empire, he must have the full support of the Senate (Webb, 2013). Tacitus stated that, “Tiberius wanted to seem like the person chosen by the Senate” (Tacitus, Woodman, 2004). This suggests the amount of
References: Bradley, P. (1990). Ancient Rome: Using evidence. Melbourne: Edward Arnold. Cameron, K. (1990). Tiberius in the shadow of Augustus. In D. Hennessy (Author), Studies in Ancient Rome (pp. 159-163). South Melbourne: Nelson. Dio, C. (1990). Roman history. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Levick, B. (1976). Tiberius the politician. London: Thames and Hudson. Salmon, E. T. (1968). A history of the Roman world: From 30 B.C. to A.D. 138. London: Routledge. Scullard, H. H. (2003). From the Gracchi to Nero: A history of Rome, 133 B.C. to A.D. 68. [S.l.]: Routledge. Suetonius, Graves, R., & Rives, J. B. (2007). The twelve Caesars. London: Penguin. Syme, R. (1958). Tacitus. Vol. 1. Oxford. Tacitus, C., & Woodman, A. J. (2004). The annals. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Wasson. (2012, July 19). Tiberius. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 10, 2013, from http://www.ancient.eu.com/Tiberius/ Webb, K