8 Novus Principatus: An Imperial Co-operative

This chapter covers the years ad 11 to 13, and describes the atmosphere that surrounded the end of Augustus’ political life and the beginning of Tiberius’ domination. Evidence is presented to show that the public was increasingly concerned by Augustus’ health. Those opposed to Tiberius began to panic. The regime thwarted an attempt to free Agrippa and his mother from their places of exile. Malcontents turned to destabilising Tiberius’ relationship with Germanicus, who, it was said, was preferred; the regime countered by arming Tiberius for sole leadership and diminishing the role of the senate. The argument rests on a new interpretation of a passage in Dio hitherto overlooked. The chapter therefore sets up the context of discussion of Tiberius’ famous reluctance to accept supreme power in ad 14.