Emperors of Rome | The Would-Be Emperor—Sejanus (Lecture 9)

Lecture 9: In this lecture, we meet one of the most odious figures in all of Roman history: Lucius Aelius Sejanus, the prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Consideration of his career requires us to look at the Praetorian Guard, the body of troops under his command. The corps had been established by Augustus and stationed discreetly in and around Rome. The two prefects of the Guard were of equestrian rank, and initially, Sejanus and his father held the office jointly. Sometime around the death of Augustus, however, Sejanus was left in sole command and prevailed upon Tiberius to concentrate the corps in a single camp in the city. From then on, Sejanus wielded a powerful influence on the emperor. He allegedly seduced Livilla, wife of Drusus, and began to use show trials to ruin rivals. His demise and its aftermath offer lessons in the perils of court politics.

Essential Reading:
Cassius Dio, Roman History, books 57–58.
Suetonius, Life of Tiberius.
Tacitus, Annals, books 4–6.

Supplementary Reading:
DIR, “Tiberius.”
Seager, Tiberius, chapters 5–6.