Suetonius describes Tiberius in the Lives of the Caesars
3/4 profile view of the Portrait Head of Tiberius, “The Lansdowne Tiberius,” early 1st century, Marble. 29.2 × 21 × 22.2 cm (11 1/2 × 8 1/4 × 8 3/4 in.). The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (c. 69-122 CE) wrote many works and The Lives of the Caesars is one of the few that are not lost. His book of biographies of the first twelve emperors is one of the most important and colorful sources about the time. The writings of Suetonius on Tiberius come from many decades after the emperors lived. Suetonius had access to the Senatorial records covering the early emperors who lived before his time.
In this extract from the chapter on Tiberius, we read Suetonius’ account of the new emperor’s first speech to the Roman senate. We will read sections 23 and 24, plus the first sentence of section 25.
We learn that Augustus, in his will, admitted that Tiberius was not his first choice of heir and that Tiberius compared being emperor to holding a wolf by the ears. Suetonius is also critical of the way that Tiberius took hold of power while outwardly pretending not to desire it. This is close to Tacitus’ comment about how Tiberius was deliberately unclear in expressing his wishes at the time of his ascension.
Compare this account by Suetonius to the account of Tiberius’ first speech to the senate as reported by Tacitus in the Annals, on this page.
At the end of this selection, Suetonius reports that Tiberius compared being Emperor to “holding a wolf by the ears.” It is interesting to note that Thomas Jefferson used the same image to describe his feelings about slavery, in a personal letter of April 22, 1820, to his friend John Holmes: “…as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him nor safely let him go,…” (1) Jefferson undoubtedly knew the source of that reference as he was a student of history and had numerous Roman authors in his library, including Suetonius and Tacitus.
(1) Jefferson’s complete letter is here: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/98-01-02-1234
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Suetonius on Tiberius, from Lives of the Caesars
ENGLISH
Aureus coin, Tiberius on obverse and Livia on reverse.
XXIII
When, however, by virtue of his tribunicial power, he had convened the senate and had begun to address it, he suddenly groaned aloud, as if overcome by grief, and with the wish that not only his voice, but his life as well might leave him, handed the written speech to his son Drusus to finish.
Then bringing in the will of Augustus, admitting of the signers only those who were of the senatorial order, while the others acknowledged their seals outside the House, it was read by a freedman.
The will began thus:
“Since a cruel fate has deprived me of my sons Gaius and Lucius, be Tiberius Caesar heir to one-half plus one-sixth of my estate.”
These words in themselves added to the suspicion of those who believed that Augustus had named Tiberius his successor from necessity rather than from choice, since he did not abstain from making that remark.
XXIV
Though Tiberius did not hesitate at once to assume and to exercise the imperial authority, surrounding himself with a guard of soldiers, that is, with the actual power and the outward sign of sovereignty, yet he refused the title for a long time, with barefaced hypocrisy now upbraiding his friends who urged him to accept it, saying that they did not realize what a monster the empire was, and now by evasive answers and calculating hesitancy keeping the senators in suspense when they implored him to yield, and fell at his feet. Finally, some lost patience, and one man cried out in the confusion: “Let him take it or leave it.”
Another openly voiced the taunt that others were slow in doing what they promised, but that he was slow to promise what he was already doing.
At last, as though on compulsion, and complaining that a wretched and burdensome slavery was being forced upon him, he accepted the empire, but in such fashion as to suggest the hope that he would one day lay it down. His own words are: “Until I come to the time when it may seem right to you to grant an old man some repose.”
XXV
The cause was fear of the danger surrounding him, so that he often said it was like holding a wolf by the ears.
Source: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/e/roman/texts/suetonius/12caesars/tiberius*.html
Based on the public domain Loeb Classical Library edition of 1913, with several edits made by me for clarity in comparison to the original.
Suetonius, from Tiberius, Lives of the Caesars
LATIN
Aureus coin of Emperor Tiberius laureate (wearing laurel wreath). On reverse, Tiberius driving a quadriga (a four-horse chariot).
XXIII
Iure autem tribuniciae potestatis coacto senatu incohataque adlocutione derepente velut impar dolori congemuit, utque non solum vox sed et spiritus deficeret optavit ac perlegendum Druso filio tradidit.
Inlatum deinde Augusti testamentum, non admissis signatoribus nisi senatorii ordinis, ceteris extra curiam signa agnoscentibus, recitavit per libertum.
Testamenti initium fuit:
“Quoniam atrox fortuna Gaium et Lucium filios mihi eripuit, Tiberius Caesar mihi ex parte dimidia et sextante heres esto.”
Quo et ipso aucta suspicio est opinantium successorem ascitum eum necessitate magis quam iudicio, quando ita praefari non abstinuerit.
XXIV
Principatum, quamvis neque occupare confestim neque agere dubitasset, et statione militum, hoc est vi et specie dominationis assumpta, diu tamen recusavit, impudentissimo mimo nunc adhortantis amicos increpans ut ignaros, quanta belva esset imperium, nunc precantem senatum et procumbentem sibi ad genua ambiguis responsis et callida cunctatione suspendens, ut quidam patientiam rumperent atque unus in tumultu proclamaret: “Aut agat aut desistat!”
Alter coram exprobraret ceteros, quod polliciti sint tarde praestare, sed ipsum, quod praestet tarde polliceri.
Tandem quasi coactus et querens miseram et onerosam iniungi sibi servitutem, recepit imperium; nec tamen aliter, quam ut depositurum se quandoque spem faceret. Ipsius verba sunt: “Dum veniam ad id tempus, quo vobis aequum possit videri dare vos aliquam senectuti meae requiem.”
XXV
Cunctandi causa erat metus undique imminentium discriminum, ut saepe lupum se auribus tenere diceret.
Source: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/L/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Tiberius*.html#24
A Loeb Classical Library edition, 1913. Hic textus in dominio publico est.
Suetonius on Tiberius, from Lives of the Caesars
EN ESPAÑOL
Denarius coin, with Tiberius on obverse and Livia on reverse.
XXIII
En virtud del derecho que le daba el poder tribunicio convocó el Senado, y habiendo comenzado un discurso se detuvo de pronto, como ahogado por los sollozos y vencido por el dolor. Hubiese querido, decía, perder la vida al mismo tiempo que la voz; y entregó su manuscrito a su hijo Druso, para que terminase la lectura.
En seguida trajeron el testamento de Augusto, no permitiendo acercarse, de los que lo habían firmado, más que a los senadores, y comprobando los demás su firma fuera del Senado. ún liberto leyó el testamento,
que comenzaba así:
“Habiéndome arrebatado la adversa fortuna a mis hijos, Cayo y Ludo, nombro a Tiberio César mi heredero por una mitad más el sexto.”
Este preámbulo confirmó la opinión de que le nombraba sucesor más por necesidad que por gusto, cuando no se abstenía de decirlo.
XXIV
Aunque Tiberio no hubiese vacilado un momento en apoderarse del mando y ejercerlo; aunque tenia ya en derredor suyo, con numerosa guardia, el aparato de la soberanía y de la fuerza, no dejó de rehusarlo largo tiempo con impudentísima comedia, contestando a las instancias de sus amigos, que no sabían qué monstruo era el Imperio y manteniendo en suspenso, por medio de respuestas ambiguas y artificiosa vacilación, al Senado suplicante y consternado. Algunos perdieron la paciencia, y un senador exclamó entre la multitud, “Que acepte o desista!”
Otro le dijo cara a cara: que era costumbre esperar mucho tiempo para hacer lo prometido, pero que él empleaba mucho tiempo para prometer lo que habla hecho.
Al fin aceptó el mando como obligado, deplorando la miserable y onerosa servidumbre que le imponían, y reservándose como condición la esperanza de dimitir algún día. He aquí sus propias palabras: “Esperaré el momento en que juzguéis equitativo conceder algún descanso a mi vejez.”
XXV
La razón que tenía para vacilar era el miedo a los muchos peligros que le amenazaban, y frecuentemente decía que sujetaba a un lobo por las orejas.
Source: http://www.antorcha.net/biblioteca_virtual/historia/suetonio/3.html
Suetonius on Tiberius, from Lives of the Caesars
EN FRANÇAIS: Suétone sur Tibère, des Vie des Césars
XXIII
Aureus coin, Tiberius TI CAESAR DIVI on obverse and Livia on reverse
En vertu de sa puissance tribunicienne, il convoqua le sénat, commença une allocution, puis tout à coup il s’arrêta, comme étouffé par ses sanglots, et succombant à sa douleur. Il aurait désiré, disait-il, perdre la vie avec la parole, et il donna son discours à son fils Drusus pour qu’il en fît la lecture.
On apporta ensuite le testament d’Auguste. Parmi les signataires, il n’admit à le reconnaître que des sénateurs, tandis que les autres n’en vérifièrent l’authenticité qu’en dehors de la curie. Ce fut un affranchi qui le lut.
Il commençait ainsi : “Puisqu’un sort funeste m’a enlevé mes fils Gaius et Lucius, je nomme Tibère César mon héritier pour une moitié plus un sixième.”
Cette rédaction fit soupçonner davantage encore qu’Auguste l’avait institué plutôt par nécessité que par choix, puisqu’il n’avait pu s’empêcher de le dire dans son préambule.
XXIV
Quoiqu’il n’eût hésité ni à s’emparer de la puissance, ni à l’exercer; quoiqu’il eût pris une garde, et par conséquent la force et les dehors de la souveraineté, il la refusa longtemps avec une insigne impudence; tantôt répondant à ses amis qui lui conseillaient d’accepter: “Vous ne savez pas quel monstre est l’empire;” tantôt tenant en suspens, par ses réponses ambiguës et une hésitation astucieuse, le sénat qui le suppliait, et qui s’était jeté à ses genoux. Quelques personnes perdirent patience, et l’une d’elles s’écria dans la foule: “Qu’il accepte ou se désiste.” Un autre lui dit en face: “Ordinairement ceux qui promettent sont lents à tenir leur promesse; mais vous, vous êtes long à promettre ce que vous avez déjà fait.”
Enfin il accepta l’empire, comme malgré lui, en déplorant la misérable et lourde servitude qu’on lui imposait, et en exprimant l’espoir qu’il s’en délivrerait un jour. Ses paroles expresses furent: “Jusqu’à ce que j’arrive au temps où il pourra vous paraître juste d’accorder quelque repos à ma vieillesse.”
XXV
Il avait des raisons pour hésiter: des dangers le menaçaient de toutes parts, et il disait souvent qu’il tenait le loup par les oreilles.
French translation by M. Cabaret-Dupaty, La Harpe, Paris, 1893 (public domain). Source: http://bcs.fltr.ucl.ac.be/SUET/TIB/23.htm et de suite.
Suetonius on Tiberius, from Lives of the Caesars
IN ITALIANO: Svetonio su Tiberio, dalle Vite dei Cesari
Another silver denarius with Tiberius on the obverse and Livia on the reverse.
XXIII
Convocato il Senato, in virtù dei suoi poteri tribunizi, cominciò un discorso, poi, improvvisamente, come se cedesse al dolore, emise profondi sospiri dicendo di voler perdere non solo la voce, ma anche la vita e incaricò il figlio Druso di leggere il suo discorso. Fu portato quindi il testamento di Augusto e tra i firmatari furono ammessi soltanto i membri dell’ordine senatoriale, mentre gli altri avrebbero riconosciuto la loro firma fuori della Curia. Fece leggere da un liberto questo testamento che cominciava così: “Poiché una sorte crudele mi ha tolto i miei figli Gaio e Lucio, sia Tiberio Cesare mio erede per la metà più un sesto.” Proprio questa formula confermò il sospetto di coloro che pensavano che Augusto lo avesse scelto come successore più per necessità che per convinzione, in quanto non si era astenuto dal fare una tale premessa.
XXIV
Sebbene non avesse mai esitato ad impossessarsi subito del potere e a esercitarlo, perch? si diede anche una guardia militare, vale a dire la forza e i simboli della sovranit?, tuttavia lo rifiut? a lungo. Recitando la più impudente commedia, ora rispondeva alle sollecitazioni dei suoi amici, rimproverando loro di non sapere quale bestia mostruosa fosse l’Impero, ora, quando il Senato lo supplicava, gettandosi ai suoi piedi, lo teneva in sospeso con risposte equivoche e astute, al punto che alcuni persero la pazienza e uno gridò, nel bel mezzo di questa agitazione: “O accetti, o rinunci!” mentre un altro gli disse in faccia che se alcuni erano lenti a mantenere ci? che avevano promesso, lui al contrario era lento a promettere ciò che già teneva. Alla fine, quasi costretto e lamentandosi di addossarsi una miserabile e pesante schiavitù, accettò l’Impero, non rinunciando però ad esprimere la speranza che un bel giorno se ne sarebbe scaricato. Ecco le sue testuali parole: “Fino a quando arriverà al momento in cui a voi sembrerà giusto accordare un po’ di riposo alla mia vecchiaia.”
XXV
La sua esitazione fu causata dal timore di danni che lo minacciavano da tutte le parti: così era solito dire spesso che “teneva il lupo per le orecchie.”
The Portrait Head of Tiberius source page on the Getty website, which gives permission to use the image:
http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/6731/unknown-maker-portrait-head-of-tiberius-the-lansdowne-tiberius-roman-early-1st-century/