"Tiberius"
The empress Livia bore a son from a previous marriage whom she named
"Tiberius."Augustus was not impressed with Tiberius,
even though he was an able soldier. He forced Tiberius to divorce the
one he loved, Vipsania, and to marry Julia, his adulterous daughter.
The reign of Tiberius was damaged by treason trials, scandal, absence,
indulgence, and his own personal orgies. In 26 A.D. Tiberius was 67
years old when he was persuaded by Sejanus, the reckless leader of the
praetorian guard. He was advised to leave Rome and spend his life on the
island of Capri, near the Bay of Naples. The ancient writer Suetonius
wrote many scandalous stories regarding Tiberius and his orgies,
indulgences, and sadistic displays. Tiberius learned of the treachery of
Sejanus in 31 A.D. and had him executed. Sometime around 30 A.D. Jesus
of Nazareth was crucified under the rule of Sejanus' prefect, Pontius
Pilate, a fact which was known by the Roman historian, Tacitus.
Tiberius Busts and Statues
1. Louvre Bust of Tiberius
Tiberius
was Augustus' step-son. He was the second Emperor of Rome.
This bust of Tiberius is from the Louvre, Paris. He was the
Emperor of Ancient Rome during the adult life and death of
Jesus. |
2. Munich Bust of Emperor Tiberius
This
image portrays the enigmatic character of Tiberius with his
deceiving looks. Although intelligent and cunning, he was
easily influenced by unscrupulous men. The bust is from the
Hall of the Roman portraits, Glyptothek Munich |
3. Egypt Bust of Young Tiberius
Tiberius
was one of the Rome’s greatest generals but he was known to
be the Emperor who never desired to be one. This bust of
young Tiberius was found in Egypt in 1896 and is located at
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen. |
4. Istanbul Bust of Tiberius
Successor
to Caesar Augustus, Tiberius was not popular in Rome because
of his gloomy and unsociable character; he was only popular
as successor to Caesar Augustus. The bust belongs to the
Roman Imperial Portraits on display at Archaeological
Museum, Istanbul. |
5. Black
Tiberius Bust
This
dark figured Tiberius Bust seems to be showing his
disposition in life. His political weakness, lack of
judgment and jealousy led Rome into a dark time of political
purging. |
6. Bronze Bust of Tiberius
This
gloomy looking bust of Tiberius is currently on display at
National Archaeological Museum of Spain. Gaius or better
known Pliny the Elder an ancient author called him
tristissimus hominum, "the gloomiest of men". |
7. Colossal Head of Tiberius
During
the reign of Tiberius
his first official act was the proclamation of the divinity
of Augustus; he established the worship of the emperor-god.
This colossal head is located at Museo Chiaramonti, named
after Pope Pius VII. The Museo Chiaramonti has one of the
World’s greatest collections and is open only by special
permission. |
8. Sketch Portrait of Tiberius
The
portrait shows Tiberius as one of the greatest generals of
the Roman Empire. Taken from the book, "History of the
World," New York, 1901 by H.F. Helmolt (ed.) and copied from
the University of Texas, Austin. |
9. Tiberius Statue Sketch
This
drawing is of a statue that was once part of the Farnese
Collection, and can now be found at the Museo Nazionale,
Naples. According to Tacitus "Tiberius would inaugurate
everything with the consuls, as though the ancient
constitution remained, and he hesitated about being
emperor." |
10.
Tiberius Head Photo
Bust
of Tiberius from the Museo Nazionale. Looking at the image,
he has a very deep character. A cunning look in his eyes
portrays the descriptions great historians wrote about him.
It's from the photograph of James Anderson, on display at
Museo Nazionale. |
Tiberius Coins
1. Tiberius Silver Coin
This coin reveals the laureate head of Tiberius with
inscription not readable on the image but possibly "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE". |
2. Tiberius and Livia Seated
The laureate head of Tiberius is on the left surrounded with
the inscription "TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS", while
seated on the right is his mother Livia, holding a scepter
and branch with inscription "PONTIF MAXIM".The coin is a
Lyon mint. |
3. Tiberius and Augusteum
Temple
Bare head of Tiberius on front with
Augusteum
on Reverse. The head of Tiberius with laurel in front of him
and on the reverse is a Tetra style temple. This dates back
to RY 34 (30/31 AD). |
4.
Tetradrachm of Tiberius and Augustus
This coin is a Tetradrachm of Tiberius and the great
Augustus. It is dated 7 (20 AD). On the left is the head of
Augustus radiating, and on the right is the laureate head of
Tiberius |
5. Tiberius with a Naked Male Figure
Standing on the left image is a male naked figure holding a
lituus. On the right is the laureate head of Tiberius with
caption "VERI CA". |
6. Tiberius and Divus Augustus
Tetradrachm
This coin reveals the wreathed head of Tiberius on the
obverse (front) and Divus Augustus with his head radiating
on its reverse. |
7. Tribute Penny of Tiberius
This coin was minted in Lugdunum, and it was struck in about
36 AD. This tribute penny bears the laureate head of
Tiberius and seated opposite is his mother Livia holding an
olive branch and a scepter with the other. |
8. Tiberius with Concordia Temple
On the front (obverse) is the Temple of Concordia, decorated
with statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Notice the the
hexastyle facade flanked with Statues of Hercules and
Mercury with two Victories in acroteria. "TI CAESAR DIVI AVG
F AVGVST P M TR POT XXXVI" encircling "SC" is on reverse.
Tiberius dedicated the Temple of Concordia on January 16 in
10 AD, the anniversary of the day Augustus assumed his new
name. |
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