Augustus

A sharp-eyed great-grandson This was Gaius, nicknamed Caligula, Drusus’ youngest son, and later emperor (A.D. 37–41).

A great altar to Augustus Strabo 432.

he used to chase German chieftains Suet Clau 14.

Drusus had a riding accident Livy Per 142.

Tiberius heard the news Val Max 553 and Pliny 784.

“old Republican constitution” Suet Clau 14.

“In point of fact” Ibid., 15.

some truth in the claim See Levick, pp. 32–35.

“Cripple my hand” Sen Ep 101 10ff.

“The same day” Hor Odes 2178–12.

“my purest of pricks” All the anecdotes in this section about Augustus and Horace come from the life of Horace in Suet De Vir Ill.

XXII. A FAMILY AT WAR

The often mysterious events of these years are inadequately covered by Dio, some of whose text is missing; Suetonius (in the lives of both Augustus and Tiberius) makes a contribution. Tacitus offers a few barbed insights.

Their adoptive father devoted time and energy Suet Aug 64 3.

“They not only lived” Dio 55 9 1–2.

“provided they deserve” Suet Aug 56 2.

imperium maius This is not explicitly stated in the sources; I follow Levick, pp. 35–36 and endnote 24, p. 237.

a warning to the unruly Gaius and Lucius Dio 55 9 4.

“he was weary” Suet Tib 10 2.

“he greeted and chatted” Ibid., 11 1.

Many governors had friendly connections See Levick, pp. 42–44.

“his retirement was more worthy” Vell Pat 2994.

The eldest, Germanicus For this account of Germanicus, see Suet Gaius 31–1.

“a monster, not finished” Suet Clau 32.

“He’s as big a fool” Ibid.

“I have always chosen” Plut Brut 53 3.

“Caesar Augustus, the Senate agrees” Suet Aug 58 2.

“Fathers of the Senate” Ibid.

a naval battle Dio 55 10 7–8 and Res Gest 423.

Once when his father See Green, Erot, p. 19.

“All we need is your consent” Ovid Am 2265–66.

“not to say or do anything” Suet Aug 64 2.

“You have acted presumptuously” Ibid.

“This dress” Macr 255. Macrobius is a late source, but there is no reason to distrust his stories about Julia.

“Passengers are never allowed” Ibid., 259.

“I should have preferred” Suet Aug 65 2.

“should anything happen to her” Ibid., 101 3.

“solemn names” Tac Ann 324.

“unique depravity disguised” Vell Pat 2 100 5.

“This shrewd” Tac Ann 153.

an emblem of liberty Serv Ad Aen 320.

It may be no coincidence Dio 55 9 10, and 10 1.

“his daughter’s adultery” Pliny 7149.

Livia also seems See Barrett, p. 51.

“Fire will sooner” Dio 55 13 1.

“If you ever” Suet Aug 65 3.

XXIII. THE UNHAPPPY RETURN

Information on important events is scanty. Dio’s and Suetonius’ lives of Augustus and Tiberius are the main sources. The poet Ovid casts enigmatic light on the exile of the younger Julia and his own banishment.

He received a letter from his stepson For this paragraph and the next, see Suet Tib 11 and 12.

“companion and guide” Ibid., 12 2.

“fired by the fame of Arabia” Pliny 12 31.

“Dis aliter visum” Virgil Aen 258.

“Greetings, my Gaius” Aul Gell 1573.

Lollius had been taking bribes Vell Pat 2 102 1, Pliny 958.

“fetch back the exile’s head” Suet Tib 13 1.

While laying siege Florus 23244–45.

“defects” Vell Pat 2 102 3.

“through old age and sickness” Dio 55 13 1a.

“atrox fortuna” Suet Tib 23.

“secret diplomacy” Tac Ann 13.

“for reasons of state” Suet Tib 21 3.

“animal-like confidence” Tac Ann 13.

“because he was afraid” Dio 55 27 5.

“because [his] conduct” Suet Aug 65 4.

accused of plotting Ibid., 19 1, and Scholiast on Juvenal 6 158; see Green, Erot, p. 57.

“Ah, never to have married” Hom Il 340. Hector is speaking to Paris.

“my three boils” Suet Aug 65 4.

Augustus exiled Ovid See Green, Erot, pp. 44–58, for an excellent and full account, which I follow.

“Why did I see what I saw?” Ovid Trist 2103–6.