Tacitus, Book 6 Events and People (Set)

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All the events and people in Book 6 of Tacitus' Annals, save Tacfarinas, who I'll write about on a later date.
ShelleyL
Flashcards by ShelleyL, updated more than 1 year ago
ShelleyL
Created by ShelleyL almost 9 years ago
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Aemilia Lepida, Tacitus, Book 6 Accused of falsely claiming to bear a son to Quirinius, with additional charges of adultery, poisoning and consultation of astrologers regarding the imperial family. T was not easy to decipher during the trial, with both anger and indulgence (mercy) perceptible. T handed over Lepida's slaves to the consuls but denied their interrogation under torture. He did not allow Drusus to speak first in the matter, not allowing the other speakers to conform to his verdict.
The Papian-Poppaean Law, Tacitus, Book 6 This law had been authorized by Augustus in his later years, and was used as a political tool to tighten the sanctions against celibacy and to increase revenue (money; as those who didn't get married or have children were fined!). The failure to earn the advantages of parenthood meant the loss of property to the State.
T advancing Nero Caesar, Tacitus, Book 6 T presented Germanicus' son, Nero Caesar, now approaching manhood, to the Senate. T proposed that Nero Caesar be permitted to stand for the quaestorship five years ahead of legal age. He was also admitted to the Pontifical Order, and to celebrate the occasion, T distributed money in his honour. Nero was also married to Drusus' daughter, Livia Julia.
Tiberius' joint consulship with Drusus, Tacitus, Book 6 In 21CE, T shared his fourth consulship with his son Drusus. 3 Years earlier, G had shared the same honour, but Tacitus claims that "they had not been so close and the association had brought the emperor no pleasure".
Debate on Having Wives in Governorships (Arguments for), Tacitus, Book 6 A senator argued that female company while on governorships encouraged extravagance as husbands shall be spending all their money treating their wives. Women are frail and easily tired, and without control, they can become ferocious and ambitious schemers. They attract every rascal in a province. But this speech only pleased a select few.
Debate on Having Wives in Governorships (Arguments against), Tacitus, Book 6 Other senators argued that, when a man returns home from labour, he should be able to relax with his wife. Yes, some women are schemers, but officials are also like this, yet all the governorships are still filled? If a woman misbehaves, that is the husband's fault; one man's weakness is no reason to deprive all men of their wives. Drusus also put in that the Divine Augustus often brought his wife along with him and he had himself to Illyricum.
Annia Rufilla, Tacitus, Book 6 Gallus raised the matter that there was an increasing amounts of insults made to respectable people, with even slaves slandering their masters. Yes, emperors are worshipped as gods, he argued, but temples were not there to encourage crime. At this point, Annia Rufilla abused him in the Forum, while he could not risk legal proceedings because she held a picture of the emperor. Drusus was begged to punish her; he had her convicted and thrown in the state prison.
The Stark Contrast Made Between T and his son, Tacitus, Book 6 Tacitus comments on the dichotomous lifestyles of T and D. D lived sociably in Rome but this had little influence on his father's solitude. His extravagance was not unpopular - "Better to spend the day enjoying shows and the night banqueting than to lead the emperor's isolated, joyless life..."
The Thracian Rebellion, Tacitus, Book 6 Thrace was divided between two fronts - Rhoemetacles and the Roman regent of Thrace. 3 strong tribes began the rebellion, yet did not join forces, so remained individually insignificant. When the commander of the nearest army heard of this, he sent men against the rebels and they were annihilated. What followed was not a battle, but a massacre.
The Gallic Rebellion, Tacitus, Book 6 2 tribes began the rebellion due to oppressive taxes. They were intercepted by the armies sent from Upper and Lower Germany whereby one of the two tribes was dealt with. But the other was a richer nation and more formidable, with an army 40,000 strong. Gaius Silius from Upper Germany and his men slaughtered the Gallic rebels. Both leaders of the tribes killed themselves.
T sends a letter to the Senate regarding the Gallic rebellion, Tacitus, Book 6 T wrote to the Senate of the uprising and elimination of the rebellion. To explain why he and Drusus did not go to Gaul he stressed the size of the empire; he could not, he claimed, deal with all the small matters.
T holds a public funeral, Tacitus, Book 6 Upon the death of Quirinius (cf Aemilia Lepida), he held a public funeral for him. T was good friends with the man as he had showed him the correct respect when at Rhodes (unlike Archelaus, whom he'd already punished).
Clutorius Priscus, Tacitus, Book 6 He had been given money by T for writing a well known poem about G's death, and now wrote another for Drusus', though he was not yet dead. The Senate argue over what his sentence should be - exile and outlawed with his property taken from him, or execution. They decided on execution. T praised the Senate for their loyalty afterwards, but decreed that no sentence should be enacted for 9 days, with executions delayed in that time as well.
Gluttony in Rome, Tacitus, Book 6 The aediles argued that the laws restricting the use of money were being ignored; many had very gluttonous appetites! Prohibited food prices were raising and this was wrong. They referred this to T, who had often thought about restricting lavish eating, but did not wish to humiliate people as the only way to inspect if people abide by the laws was if he checked on them personally. He sent a letter to the Senate saying if this was passed, everyone would be branded a criminal. He says it is national ruin that most concerns him, not small worries on extravagant eating. But he will not, he says, object to any decision the Senate may come to.
Advancing Drusus, Tacitus, Book 6 T wrote to the Senate asking them to give Drusus Tribunician Potestas, after all Drusus was at the very age that Augustus had given him this honour. The Senate wish to engrave this decree in gold lettering in the Senate House, but T denies this. Drusus sends a letter giving his thanks. The Senators believe that he may be busy with military affairs, but rather he is visiting the Campanian coasts.
Provincial Petitions, Tacitus, Book 6 The Senate discussed the matter that in Greek cities, temples were used to hide delinquents. Protecting religious observation was protecting crime! So the Senate passed decrees that religion should not become a cloak for criminals.
T forbidding pitiful prosecutions, Tacitus, Book 6 A knight was charged with treason for having melted a statue of the emperor for the use of plate. T vetoed this and forbade this prosecution.
Sejanus and Pompey's Theatre, Tacitus, Book 6 T praised Sej for having prevented the fire spreading beyond Pompey's Theatre. The Senate voted that a statue be erected in his honour. T awarded Blaesus, Sej' uncle, with an honorary triumph, which Tacitus describes to be a compliment to Sej.
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