Becoming Emperor
After Augustus' death in 14 CE, Tiberius ascended to the throne as emperor, following the political arrangements made during Augustus' lifetime. His succession, however, was not smooth. Augustus had left no clear plans for the imperial succession, and Tiberius faced a series of challenges both from rival factions within the Roman Senate and from the people of Rome, who had grown accustomed to Augustus' stable and charismatic leadership.
Tiberius' first few years as emperor were relatively calm, and he initially sought to maintain the policies of Augustus. He focused on maintaining peace within the empire, strengthening the military, and stabilizing the economy. However, despite his competent administration, Tiberius never fully won the loyalty of the Senate or the Roman public.
As Tiberius' reign continued, his unpopularity began to grow. Several factors contributed to this decline in his public image. Tiberius was known for his cold and aloof nature, which contrasted with the more charismatic and approachable Augustus. He became increasingly suspicious of those around him and surrounded himself with a group of trusted advisers, most notably Sejanus, the prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Sejanus held significant influence over Tiberius and was able to manipulate the emperor to eliminate potential rivals, leading to a series of treason trials and executions.
By the latter part of his reign, Tiberius became more withdrawn and reclusive. In 26 CE, he retired to the island of Capri, where he spent the remaining years of his life in isolation. His withdrawal from Rome fueled rumors of cruelty and debauchery, and his absence from the capital led to a loss of trust and confidence in his leadership. The stories of Tiberius' behavior on Capri, particularly the accounts of his indulgence in vice and debauchery, have contributed to his reputation as a tyrant. These accounts, however, are difficult to verify and may have been exaggerated by political enemies and hostile historians. shutdown123