The Works of Tacitus
tr. by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb
[1864-1877]
Tacitus: Annals Book 6 [50]
50. Tiberius’s bodily powers were now leaving him, but not his skill in dissembling.
There was the same stern spirit; he had his words and looks under strict control,
and occasionally would try to hide his weakness, evident as it was, by a forced
politeness. After frequent changes of place, he at last settled down on the
promontory of Misenum in a country-house once owned by Lucius Lucullus. There
it was noted, in this way, that he was drawing near his end. There was a physician,
distinguished in his profession, of the name of Charicles, usually employed,
not indeed to have the direction of the emperor’s varying health, but to put
his advice at immediate disposal. This man, as if he were leaving on business
his own, clasped his hand, with a show of homage, and touched his pulse. Tiberius
noticed it. Whether he was displeased and strove the more to hide his anger,
is a question; at any rate, he ordered the banquet to be renewed, and sat at
the table longer than usual, by way, apparently, of showing honour to his departing
friend. Charicles, however, assured Macro that his breath was failing and that
he would not last more than two days. All was at once hurry; there were conferences
among those on the spot and despatches to the generals and armies. On the 15th
of March, his breath failing, he was believed to have expired, and Caius Caesar
was going forth with a numerous throng of congratulating followers to take the
first possession of the empire, when suddenly news came that Tiberius was recovering
his voice and sight, and calling for persons to bring him food to revive him
from his faintness. Then ensued a universal panic, and while the rest fled hither
and thither, every one feigning grief or ignorance, Caius Caesar, in silent
stupor, passed from the highest hopes to the extremity of apprehension. Macro,
nothing daunted, ordered the old emperor to be smothered under a huge heap of
clothes, and all to quit the entrance-hall.
51. And so died Tiberius, in the seventy eighth year of his age. Nero was
his father, and he was on both sides descended from the Claudian house, though
his mother passed by adoption, first into the Livian, then into the Julian family.
From earliest infancy, perilous vicissitudes were his lot. Himself an exile,
he was the companion of a proscribed father, and on being admitted as a stepson
into the house of Augustus, he had to struggle with many rivals, so long as
Marcellus and Agrippa and, subsequently, Caius and Lucius Caesar were in their
glory. Again his brother Drusus enjoyed in a greater degree the affection of
the citizens. But he was more than ever on dangerous ground after his marriage
with Julia, whether he tolerated or escaped from his wife’s profligacy. On his
return from Rhodes he ruled the emperor’s now heirless house for twelve years,
and the Roman world, with absolute sway, for about twenty-three. His character
too had its distinct periods. It was a bright time in his life and reputation,
while under Augustus he was a private citizen or held high offices; a time of
reserve and crafty assumption of virtue, as long as Germanicus and Drusus were
alive. Again, while his mother lived, he was a compound of good and evil; he
was infamous for his cruelty, though he veiled his debaucheries, while he loved
or feared Sejanus. Finally, he plunged into every wickedness and disgrace, when
fear and shame being cast off, he simply indulged his own inclinations.
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