Sejanus: Regent of Rome

by John S McHugh

Overview

Sejanus is notoriously known as the Tiberius’ ambitious and ruthless Praetorian Prefect, widely believed to have craved the throne for himself and is considered the virtual ruler of Rome from AD 26-31.

The figure of Sejanus has fascinated from ancient to more modern times. Sejanus, the emperor Tiberius' infamous Praetorian Prefect, is synonymous with overreaching ambition, murder, conspiracy and betrayal. According to the traditional storyline, this man craved the imperial throne for himself and sought it by isolating the naive emperor in his island pleasure palace on Capri whilst using his control over the Praetorian Guard, coupled with his immense power and influence in Rome, to purge the capital of potential opponents. His victims supposedly included the emperor's son, Drusus, poisoned by his own wife who had been seduced by Sejanus. The emperor, forewarned of Sejanus' ambition, struck first. The Prefect was arrested in the Senate, strangled and his corpse cast down the Gemonian Stairs.

Study of Sejanus has generally been overshadowed by focus on Tiberius. John McHugh makes a fresh appraisal of the sources to offer the first full-length study in English to focus on this highly influential figure and his development of the Praetorian Prefecture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526714978
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	04/20/2020
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	675,086
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

John S McHugh has a BA and MA in Ancient History. His love of the ancient world has led him to travel to many classical sites. He is currently an Assistant Headmaster at a secondary school in Bolton. He is the co-author of a text book on Boltons connections with the slave trade and is currently assisting Bolton Museum with a project to record the oral history of the local populace with the aim of promoting understanding between people of different generations or ethnic and social backgrounds.

Table of Contents

Maps vii

List of Plates ix

Acknowledgements xv

Chapter 1 Early Years: 20 BC-AD 14 1

Chapter 2 Crisis: AD 14 24

Chapter 3 His Rise: AD 15-20 47

Chapter 4 The Right Hand of Caesar: AD 21-23 76

Chapter 5 The Inventor of all Villainies: AD 24-26 98

Chapter 6 Regent: AD 26-30 129

Chapter 7 His Fall: AD 31 166

Chapter 8 The Terror: AD 31-37 191

Julio-Claudian Family Tree 209

L. Aeltus Sejanus Family Tree 210

Timeline 211

Consular List 217

Appendix: The Family, Amici and Clients of Sejanus 225

Bibliography 253

Notes 263

Index 303