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TIBERIUS

(Gk. Tiberios; Lat. Tiberius)

Tiberius Caesar, both stepson and adopted son of Augustus Caesar; the second emperor of Rome upon Augustus’ death in 14 c.e. Tiberius’ reign continued until his own death in 37, and while founded upon adherence to the policies of Augustus, was nevertheless marked by political discontent among a Roman senatorial aristocracy far less confident in the abilities of Tiberius as compared with those of the much admired Augustus.

Born Tiberius Claudius Nero, Tiberius was raised in the household of his mother Livia and his stepfather Augustus. Much of his life was marked by service to Rome since Tiberius, along with other members of the imperial family, filled important military and administrative posts. Tiberius was a successful general, bringing into the empire through conquest Pannonia and other areas along the Danube. Following the death of Augustus’ friend Marcus Agrippa, Tiberius was forced to marry Julia, Agrippa’s widow and the daughter of Augustus, so that he could become protector to Augustus’ grandsons and heirs. After their deaths, Augustus had no one whom he could elevate as successor except Tiberius. However, Augustus insisted that Tiberius’ nephew Germanicus, husband of Augustus’ granddaughter Agrippina, be placed in the succession over Tiberius’ own son, Drusus. The strange circumstances of Germanicus’ death several years after Tiberius’ succession aroused suspicions about Tiberius’ possible involvement in the death and provided a rallying point for Tiberius’ opponents. Finally, tired of politics, Tiberius retired to Capri, leaving Rome in the charge of his praetorian prefect Sejanus. The slow annihilation of opponents in the senate, including members of the imperial family, secured Sejanus an infamous place in Rome’s history. The primary historical source for these events, Tacitus’ Annals, written a century later, offers an indicting account of Tiberius’ reign.

Tiberius was emperor during the events described in the Gospels. Allusion to his reign (Luke 3:1) provides the only firm NT reference for dating events. Pontius Pilate was appointed procurator of Judea by Tiberius and served the emperor in that capacity from 26-36. In 18 c.e. Tiberius’ client, Galilean tetrarch Herod Antipas, founded in honor of the emperor the city of Tiberias.

Bibliography. B. Levick, Tiberius the Politician (1976, repr. London, 1986); F. B. Marsh, The Reign of Tiberius (London, 1931).

John F. Hall

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

TIBERIUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)