Germanicus Iulius Caesar

Germanicus Iulius Caesar

May XXV, XV or XVI BC-October X, XIX AD

Accomplishments:1. Quaestor at the age of 21, Germanicus served under Tiberius in Illyricum (ad 7–9) and then on the Rhine (ad 11). 2. Consul in the year 123. He was appointed to command Gaul and the two Rhine armies. 4. His personal popularity enabled him to quell the mutiny that broke out in his legions after Augustus’ death (14). 5. Germanicus celebrated a triumph in Rome on May 26, 17, and 6. The next year he became consul for the second time. 7. Before taking office, however, he received supreme command over all the eastern provinces.

Major Events:1. In three successive campaigns (14–16), he crossed the Rhine to engage the German tribes, inflicting several defeats in an ultimately inconclusive struggle. 2. Finally, having aroused the jealousy and fears of Tiberius, he was recalled to Rome. 3. While on this tour of duty he came into conflict with Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, whom Tiberius had installed as governor of Syria. Although Piso criticized and sometimes frustrated his decisions, Germanicus managed to settle the Armenian succession, organize the previously independent states of Cappadocia and Commagene into provinces, and negotiate successfully with Artabanus III of Parthia. 4. Early in 19, Germanicus visited Egypt, incurring strong censure from Tiberius, because the latter’s predecessor, Augustus, had strictly forbidden Roman’s of senatorial rank to enter Egypt—Rome’s breadbasket—without permission.

Legacy and Children:Through his mother, Antonia, Germanicus was grandnephew of the emperor Augustus. His father was Tiberius’ brother, Nero Claudius Drusus. Germanicus’ “Julian blood” induced Augustus to have him adopted by Tiberius in ad 4, even though Tiberius had a son of his own. At about the same time, Germanicus married Augustus’ granddaughter, Vipsania Agrippina.

Emily Breeden and Iris Wang

Works CitedGermanicus Caesar. Infoplease. Web. 12 May 2014. ."Germanicus Caesar." Germanicus Caesar. Web. 12 May 2014. ."Germanicus Caesar." Germanicus Caesar. Web. 12 May 2014. ."Roman Emperors - DIR Germanicus." Roman Emperors - DIR Germanicus. Web. 12 May 2014. .The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Germanicus Julius Caesar (Roman General)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 06 May 2014. .