Tiberius Caesar and the Roman Empire Trivia Game | History

Tiberius Caesar and the Roman Empire Quiz

Tiberius is perhaps one of the most wrongly maligned of the Julio-Claudian Emperors; find out about some of the more savoury aspects of his reign.

A multiple-choice quiz by wyrmirae. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was Tiberius born?

Answer: 42 BC

Tiberius was born on th 16th November to Tiberius Cladius Nero and Livia Drusilla.

2. Tiberius was married twice; who was his FIRST wife?

Answer: Vipsania

Tiberius' first marriage was reputedely a happy one it bore a son: Drusus. Tiberius was forced to divorce Vipsania by Augustus in order to marry Augustus' own daughter: Julia. This was in order to cement the succession of the Julio-Claudians.

3. Tiberius played a part in the recovery of legionary standards lost by Crassus in 53 BC and by Decidius Saxa in 36 BC. He helped to recover them from which state?

Answer: Parthia

Tiberius was rewarded by Augustus for his part in the military and diplomatic manoeuvres that involved the standards recovery; he received the praetor's insignia for example. Tiberius later, when he was himself princeps was to have more dealings with this eastern kingdom.

4. Tiberius became the princeps of the empire in AD 14 upon Augustus' death; his accession was not a smooth one though, Tiberius did not immediately accept the position. Tacitus says that one senator asked, 'How long Caesar, will your let the state have no head?'. Which senator was this?

Answer: Quintus Haterius

Tiberius was now the princeps and by his acceptance of the position he had ensured that it would be easier for his successor Gaius to take up the mantle upon Tiberius' death. The position of princeps was not institutionalised yet and thus everything Tiberius did as the first successor to the position was precedent setting.

5. Who was accused of killing Tiberius' adopted son Germanicus?

Answer: Gnaius Calpurnius Piso

He was never actually charged with the killing of Germanicus and indeed the evidence from Tacitus suggets that he was innocent. He did, however, commit suicide as Tiberius could not forgive him for reentering the province of Syria at the head of an army.

6. Who does Tacitus say that Tiberius called the 'partner of my labours'?

Answer: Sejanus

Sejanus was to remain as Tiberius favourite for around a decade until the princeps became suspicious of him. He denounced him in a letter to the Senate which was enough to see him and many of his supporters lynched in 31 AD

7. Which province did Tiberius send aid to after it suffered an earthquake in 17 AD?

Answer: Asia

Though he has a bad reputation from the descriptions of Suetonius and Tacitus many historians today feel that Tiberius has been badly done by. There is much evidence for him helping those in trouble; he would use his own money to help senators who had fallen on hard times; M.Hortensius Hortalus for example, though this was done grudgingly.

8. The maiestas (treason) trials are one of the prominent features of Tiberius' reign that come down to us through the literary tradition. Were they an invention of Tiberius?

Answer: No

Trials for maiestas had originated under the republic and can only be suggested to have been revived under Tiberius. Historians today feel that they have been over exaggerated as a part of Tiberius' reign. For the entirety of his rule only 63 well known people are attested to have been charged (Scullard).

9. Where did Tiberius die?

Answer: Cape Misenum

Tiberius died in a villa relatively far from the capital Rome. He had not been back to the city since 26 AD and had spent most of his time living on the isle of Capri.

10. Augustus was deified and worshipped as a god after his death. Tiberius received requests to worship him during his life. Was he deified upon his death though?

Answer: No

Tiberius' relationship with the Senate had not been good throughout his reign; he was felt to rule in an arbitrary manner. His 'retirement' on Capri was not looked on favourably either. The Senate were thus unwilling to deify him and Gaius his successor did not press for it. Claudius was the next emperor to be deified.

Source: Author wyrmirae

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Tiberius Caesar and the Roman Empire Quiz

Tiberius is perhaps one of the most wrongly maligned of the Julio-Claudian Emperors; find out about some of the more savoury aspects of his reign.

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