The Legacy Of Claudius Nero By Marcus Tullius Cicero

â€Å"Salus populi suprema lex esto. These words, first coined by Marcus Tullius Cicero, represent the height of the ideals in the system which we Roman senators live and embody. They translate to the Greek: â€Å"The safety of the people is the highest law† (Cicero c.50BC, 241), which is not soon forgotten, despite the banishment and subsequent death of Cicero. A titanic figure in his time, we can only imagine the outcry he would have given the trials and tribulations that have plagued us in recent times, and in particular during the long reign of Tiberius Claudius Nero Drusus Caesar, known simply to the people as Tiberius. It is worth noting at this point that I, (name here) have, during my long life served in my greatest capacity under the†¦show more content†¦He was a fine military commander, doing merit unto his adoptive father, Augustus, time and time again, slaughtering untold numbers of barbarians and bringing civilisation and Roman values to the Gauls and Germans. Tiberius’ military exploits are common knowledge among the Roman populace and have been recorded many times over, the Gallic tribes quake with fear at the mention of his name to this day. Tiberius was, however, as adept an administrator as he was a commander, and it was, in actuality, this value that led him to be so successful with his expeditions (Tacitus c.100AD, 119). As Tiberius aged, he appeared to become ever more morose, his dour and grim complexion characterising him and polarising the views held by his supporters and critics alike (Boak 1965, 301). This change in disposition can be largely attributed to his forced divorce from his beloved wife, Vispania, and subsequent marriage to Augustus’ daughter, Julia (Bradley 1990, 539). Contrary to many contemporary opinions, Julia was very nearly as intelligent and cunning as Tiberius himself, her one fault being perhaps her adulterous nature, and it was for this that Tiberius scorned her (Bradley 1990, 540). It was through marriage, and a most honourable marriage for myself, that I became connected with Tiberius on a more intimate level. My bride was none other than a cousin of Tiberius, of the Claudian gens, whose noble claim extends back â€Å"to Attus Clausus, the legendary founder† of that noble family