The Rest Is History Podcast

Episode: 535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Hosts: Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook

Introduction to Tiberius's Rule and Early Depictions

Dominic Sandbrook (03:07):
Tiberius, the second Roman Emperor, inherited a complex legacy from Augustus, including the prosperous retreat on Capri. Initially celebrated as a capable administrator and military leader, Tiberius's reputation took a dark turn according to Suetonius's accounts. An infamous tale recounts how Tiberius, upon receiving an enormous mullet from a fisherman (03:07), brutally punished him by ordering his face rubbed with the fish and later a lobster (03:07). Sandbrook emphasizes, "This is a notorious incident in the life of the emperor Tiberius" (03:07), highlighting the emperor's capricious and cruel nature as depicted by Suetonius.

The Dual Legacy of Tiberius

Tom Holland (10:00):
Tiberius is portrayed as both a sophisticated ruler and a depraved tyrant. While he effectively managed the empire, ensuring stability and peace, his personal life, especially his actions on Capri, painted him as a monstrous figure. Holland poses a critical question: "Is all this stuff about attacking people with fish and doing terrible things to people in swimming pools...fake news or does it get to some truth about Tiberius's character?" (11:26).

Dominic Sandbrook (11:26):
Sandbrook delves into Suetonius's biography, suggesting that Tiberius's character is deeply rooted in his Claudian heritage juxtaposed with his role as Augustus's adopted son. He states, "Suetonius understands that Tiberius's identity is rooted very deep in the past...He is torn between serving the Republic and his duties to Augustus" (21:27). This internal conflict may have fueled both his administrative prowess and his personal cruelties.

Tiberius’s Family and Succession Struggles

Tom Holland (15:09):
The complexity of Tiberius's lineage is explored, noting that his father was a Claudian who sided against Julius Caesar, forcing Tiberius's family into exile. This background set the stage for his later conflicts within the imperial family. Holland remarks, "Suetonius reports that Tiberius’s reputation has never really recovered," (08:18) illustrating the long-lasting impact of these events.

Dominic Sandbrook (21:27):
Sandbrook explains the political maneuvering within Augustus's family, where Tiberius felt sidelined in favor of Augustus's biological grandchildren. The deaths of his cousins, Nero and Gaius, under suspicious circumstances, likely intensified Tiberius's feelings of resentment and insecurity, contributing to his later actions against potential rivals (28:39).

Contrasting Historical Accounts

Dominic Sandbrook (35:05):
The episode contrasts Suetonius's lurid portrayal of Tiberius with Philo of Alexandria's more favorable account. Sandbrook notes, "Philo writes... this guy was amazing" (35:30), suggesting that Tiberius was also seen as a wise and stabilizing force. Additionally, Tacitus corroborates many of Suetonius's negative claims, further complicating the historical picture (35:05).

Tiberius’s Administration and Achievements

Dominic Sandbrook (20:43):
Despite the sensational accounts of his cruelty, Tiberius's reign was marked by significant administrative achievements. He maintained peace across the empire, effectively managed the grain supply, and quelled revolts such as the Pannonian revolt in AD 86 and the Germanic disasters in AD 9. Sandbrook emphasizes, "Tiberius's rule absolutely is an extraordinary achievement" (52:34).

Tom Holland (51:51):
Holland remarks on the unprecedented stability during Tiberius's 23-year reign, contrasting it with the preceding and succeeding periods marked by chaos and civil wars. "Tiberius's reign is a kind of oasis of stability compared with what before and after" (51:51).

The Psychological Portrait of Tiberius

Dominic Sandbrook (42:14):
Sandbrook provides a psychological analysis, suggesting Tiberius was a man torn between his Claudian heritage and his role as an imperial ruler. This internal struggle likely led to his portrayal as both a competent leader and a cruel tyrant. "He is trying to square ruling as a monarch with his ancestral respect for the traditions of the Republic" (42:39).

Tom Holland (45:13):
Holland draws a modern analogy, comparing Tiberius's predicament to senior politicians being overshadowed by more dominant figures, though he notes that Tiberius's situation is magnified in the Roman context. "It's like very senior American politicians who accept the Vice presidency and are therefore reduced to just sort of hanging around in the President's shadow" (44:50).

Myth versus Reality

Dominic Sandbrook (56:36):
Sandbrook discusses the mythical depictions of Tiberius, illustrating how he became a figure of legend beyond his historical reality. He references Edward Champlin's work, noting stories of Tiberius investigating supernatural phenomena and staging erotic pageants, blending his real-life administrative role with mythical elements (56:36).

Tom Holland (54:43):
Holland questions the reconciliation of these mythical tales with the more mundane accounts of Tiberius's effective governance. "How then do we reconcile that with the attacking people with fish...so shocking and horrible?" (54:44).

Dominic Sandbrook (58:33):
Sandbrook suggests that Tiberius's exceptional capabilities and his mysterious, almost supernatural portrayals helped cement his legacy as both a wise ruler and a figure of dark mythology. "Tiberius is being cast as both an emperor like any other, but also a figure of myth" (58:33).

Conclusion: Tiberius’s Complex Legacy

The episode concludes by highlighting the duality of Tiberius's legacy—his effective administration and the peace he maintained versus the sensationalized accounts of his personal cruelties. Sandbrook and Holland suggest that Tiberius was likely more "sinned against than sinning," navigating the treacherous waters of imperial politics while grappling with his own internal conflicts. This complexity makes Tiberius one of the most intriguing and multifaceted figures in Roman history.

Notable Quotes:

• Dominic Sandbrook (03:07):
  "This is a notorious incident in the life of the emperor Tiberius."

• Tom Holland (10:00):
  "Is all this stuff about attacking people with fish...fake news or does it get to some truth about Tiberius's character?"

• Dominic Sandbrook (21:27):
  "Suetonius understands that Tiberius's identity is rooted very deep in the past...He is torn between serving the Republic and his duties to Augustus."

• Tom Holland (51:51):
  "Tiberius's reign is a kind of oasis of stability compared with what before and after."

• Dominic Sandbrook (56:36):
  "Tiberius is being cast as both an emperor like any other, but also a figure of myth."

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Emperor Tiberius's complex legacy, balancing historical achievements with the darker aspects of his personal life as portrayed by ancient sources. Through insightful discussions, Holland and Sandbrook shed light on the multifaceted nature of Tiberius, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of one of Rome's most enigmatic rulers.