Roman History Books and More

alex munthe on capri (in re tiberius)

2009-07-10T23:58:47-04:00

… take a look at the photo below, one can imagine Tiberius there.

Axel Munthe's The Story of San Michele is briefly mentioned in the introduction to Allan Massie's "Tiberius: The Memoirs of the Emperor", the Roman History Reading Group's current read. Munthe was a Swedish doctor who built a villa on Capri, on what was allegedly the site of one of Tiberius's villas, in the last years of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century.
read on

Villa San Michele

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

on reading barbara levick's 'tiberius the politician'

2009-07-07T15:29:22-04:00

I've started reading Barbara Levick's Tiberius the Politician (1976, revised edition 1999).

First thing I came across was the supplemental bibliography of 1999, and what does she list? Massie's Tiberius novel!

I do like the prosopographical excursion into the fates and political/military appointments and positions of adherents of Tiberius on the one side and Julia/Scribonia on the other (Chapter IV: "Rehabilitation: The Final Struggle for the Succession, page 51 ff"), but I'm baffled when the author gets to the Silani:

… Servilia, mother by D. Iunius Brutus of M. Iunius Brutus the Liberator married for a second time D. Silanus, consul, in 62 BC, and became the mother of daughters. One, Iunia Tertulla, was the wife of Cassius the Liberator (as well as being Cato's granddaughter) and survived until AD 22, causing comment by her will: she omitted to mention the Princeps.

Niece surely, not granddaughter?

Levick adds a "warning against reckless prosopographical speculation," listing several cross-overs from within the groups. Overall it seems to show that Tiberius quickly consolidated his support after his return from Rhodes, and even evidences some of it during his exile. It's also interesting to see how many descendants of the old families were still around, contrary to what often is maintained about their disappearance during the various civil wars of the second half of the first century BC. Prosopography can be fascinating: Let's hear it for Ronald Syme!

DonorsChoose.org summer updates

2009-07-07T14:18:41-04:00

DonorsChoose.org is a worthy project.

Celebrate Summer Learning
Literature & Writing

another fictional take on sejanus

2009-07-06T22:37:00-04:00

David Wishart, in his Marcus Valerius Corvinus mystery series, takes a close look at the villain: Sejanus. It's a well researched novel and an excellent read.

Unfortunately, the book is seriously out of print.

tacitus on germanicus

2009-07-06T22:02:46-04:00

I find it rather irritating that Tacitus, in his Annals, often refers to Germanicus as "Caesar," and with not much consistency.

Update

And Tiberius as well, as I see now:

63. Maroboduus, now utterly deserted, had no resource but in the mercy of Caesar. Having crossed the Danube where it flows by the province of Noricum, he wrote to Tiberius, not like a fugitive or a suppliant, but as one who remembered his past greatness. When as a most famous king in former days he received invitations from many nations, he had still, he said, preferred the friendship of Rome. Caesar replied that he should have a safe and honourable home in Italy, if he would remain there, or, if his interests required something different, he might leave it under the same protection under which he had come.

update on tiberius biographies: g.p. baker online

2009-07-06T00:10:00-04:00

An update to modern biographies of tiberius:

Robert found the G.P. Baker one on the Internet Archive

Tiberius Caesar

Enjoy!

another horace biography

2009-07-05T18:42:14-04:00

Earlier on, I bemoaned the fact that there are so few Horace biographies around. Well, N.S. Gill found one:

The next Roman history book chat will discuss Horace. On Irene Hahn's blog, she mentions there is a shortage of biographical information on Horace. The Internet Archive provides a wealth of out-of-copyright material, including an old-fashioned biography of Horace: Horace by Wm. Tuckwell (1829-1919). London: G. Bell & sons. 1905. There are others to search for, but this first one I looked at seems to have the info.

read on

Author: Tuckwell, William, 1829-1919
Subject: Horace
Publisher: London : G. Bell & sons

It's a concise (87 pages) introduction to Horace, nicely illustrated too. And with a chapter on wine …

The Internet Archive (subscription is free)

modern biographies of tiberius

2009-07-05T00:05:00-04:00

As we are reading Allan Massie's novel, Tiberius: The Memoirs of the Emperor, it might be worthwhile to look at modern biographies of Tiberius.

These I have in my library:

G.P. Baker: Tiberius Caesar, Emperor of Rome (1929)
Robin Seager: Tiberius (1972, revised edition 2005)
Barbara Levick: Tiberius the Politician (1976, revised edition 1999)

More on these later, I'm reading the Baker right now … comments are invited.

And Google Books has this oddity:

The history of that inimitable monarch Tiberius by John Rendle (1813)
WHO, IN THE XIV YEAR OF HIS REIGN,
REQUESTED THE SENATE TO PERMIT THE WORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST
AND WHO, IN THE XVI AND THREE FOLLOWING YEARS,
Or,
BEFORE THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS BY PETER,
SUPPRESSED ALL OPPOSITION TO IT.
The Rev. JOHN RENDLE, M. A.

the view from my window

2009-07-04T17:41:09-04:00

… or my terrace rather. July 3rd, around 7:45 PM, waiting for the sun to set for the fireworks.

click to enlarge

seguing from horace into tiberius (our recent and upcoming book chats)

2009-07-03T11:32:00-04:00

Horace wrote an Ode to Drusus and Tiberius

(Update July 4: Oops, wrong Latin one)

Odes, Book 4, XIV

Quae cura patrum quaeue Quiritium
plenis honorum muneribus tuas,
Auguste, uirtutes in aeuum
per titulos memoresque fastus

aeternet, o qua sol habitabilis               5
inlustrat oras maxime principum?
     quem legis expertes Latinae
     Vindelici didicere nuper

quid Marte posses. Milite nam tuo
Drusus Genaunos, inplacidum genus,               10
     Breunosque uelocis et arces
     Alpibus impositas tremendis

deiecit acer plus uice simplici.
Maior Neronum mox graue proelium
commisit immanisque Raetos 15
auspiciis pepulit secundis,

continue reading Odes, Book 4, XIV, in Latin

What care the Citizens and the Senators
shall take in immortalising your virtues,
granting you full honours, Augustus,
with titles and memorial plaques, O,

greatest of princes, wherever the sun shines
over the countries where people can live, you,
whose power in war the Vindelici
free of our Roman laws, till now, have learnt.

For, with your army, brave Drusus, demolished
the Genauni, that implacable race, in more
direct retaliation, the swift
Breuni, and their defences, established

on the formidable Alpine heights:
and soon Tiberius, the elder Nero, entered
that fierce fight, with his favourable
omens, defeating the wild Rhaetians:

continue reading Odes, Book 4, XIV, in English translation

Original text: Latin Library: Q. HORATIVS FLACCVS
Translation: A.S. Kline, Poetry in Tranlation: Horace

ancient historians on tiberius (a.d. 14-37)

2009-07-03T11:07:58-04:00

DIR Tiberius says:

The main ancient literary sources for the reign of Tiberius are: Tac. Ann. 1-6; Dio 57-59; Suetonius, Tiberius and Gaius; Josephus BJ 2.204-17 and AJ 18.181-87, 205-25; Velleius Paterculus, esp. 2.94-131. References to Tiberius are also found in Pliny the Elder, Philo, Seneca and others.

Tacitus Annals, Books 1-6
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/tac/index.htm
or Wikisource:

Book 1: 14-15 C.E.

Book 2: 16-19 C.E.

Book 3: 20-22 C.E.

Book 4: 23-28 C.E.

Book 5: 29-31 C.E.

Book 6: 32-37 C.E.

Dio Cassius

Book 53: Octavian, to be known henceforth as Augustus, officially becomes the sole ruler of Rome: the beginning of the imperial period. Organization of provincial administration. The rôle of Augustus' friend Agrippa. Major construction projects in Rome: dedication of the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine, the Saepta, the Pantheon, the Basilica of Neptune, the Baths of Agrippa. Wars in NW Spain and Arabia. Galatia falls to the Romans.

Book 54: Augustus continues to consolidate his power. Roman rule extends to Rhaetia, Noricum, the Maritime Alps, and the Chersonesus.

Book 55: Death of Drusus. Dedication of the Precinct of Livia, the Campus Agrippae, the Diribitorium, the Temple of Mars. Tiberius retires to Rhodes. Lucius and Gaius Caesar, the natural heirs of Augustus, both die young. Influence of Augustus' wife Livia. Institution of the corps of watchmen (vigiles).

Book 56: Augustus encourages population growth by rewarding those who have more children, and penalizing those who have fewer and those who do not marry. Three legions lost in Germany: the Disaster of Varus. Dedication of the Temple of Concord and the Portico of Livia. Death of Augustus; his funeral.

Book 57: Tiberius becomes emperor. His character. Cappadocia becomes Roman. Deaths of Drusus and Germanicus Caesar.

Book 58: Rise and fall of Sejanus. Tiberius consolidates his hold on power despite revolts and scandals in his family.

Book 59: Gaius Caesar becomes emperor; universally known as Caligula. His excesses.

Suetonius

De Vita Caesarum: Tiberius

De Vita Caesarum: Caius Caligula

Josephus

Jewish War, Book 2

Antiquities, Book 18

Velleius Paterculus, Roman History
Book II, Chapters 94-131

be happy wherever you are (i'm on a roll tonight)

2009-07-02T23:22:06-04:00

Horace: Epistles, Book 1, XI

Quid tibi uisa Chios, Bullati, notaque Lesbos,
quid concinna Samos, quid Croesi regia Sardis,
Zmyrna quid et Colophon? Maiora minoraue fama,
cunctane prae Campo et Tiberino flumine sordent?
An uenit in uotum Attalicis ex urbibus una?               5
An Lebedum laudas odio maris atque uiarum?
Scis Lebedus quid sit: Gabiis desertior atque
Fidenis uicus; tamen illic uiuere uellem,
oblitusque meorum, obliuiscendus et illis,
Neptunum procul e terra spectare furentem.               10
Sed neque qui Capua Romam petit, imbre lutoque
aspersus uolet in caupona uiuere; nec qui
frigus collegit, furnos et balnea laudat
ut fortunatam plene praestantia uitam;
nec si te ualidus iactauerit Auster in alto,               15
idcirco nauem trans Aegaeum mare uendas.
Incolumi Rhodos et Mytilene pulchra facit quod
paenula solstitio, campestre niualibus auris,
per brumam Tiberis, Sextili mense caminus.
Dum licet ac uoltum seruat Fortuna benignum,               20
Romae laudetur Samos et Chios et Rhodos absens.
Tu quamcumque deus tibi fortunauerit horam
grata sume manu neu dulcia differ in annum,
ut quocumque loco fueris uixisse libenter
te dicas; nam si ratio et prudentia curas,               25
non locus effusi late maris arbiter aufert,
caelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt.
Strenua non exercet inertia; nauibus atque
quadrigis petimus bene uiuere. Quod petis, hic est,
est Vlubris, animus si te non deficit aequus.               30

What did you think of Chios, dear Bullatius,
Or the famous Lesbos? What of beautiful Samos?
What of Croesus’ royal Sardis, Smyrnaand Colophon?
Better or worse than claimed, are they all worthless, beside
The Campus and Tiber’s stream? Or are you set on one
Of Attalus’ cities, or weary of roads and seas praise
Lebedus? You know Lebedus: even more empty
Than Gabiior Fidenae! Still I’d choose to live there,
Forgetting all my friends, and forgotten by them,
Gazing from the shore at distant Neptune’s fury!
Yet a man heading for Rome from Capua, soaked
With mud and rain, wouldn’t choose to live in an inn:
Nor does one who catches a chill praise stove and bath
As the total answer to living a happy life:
Nor will you, tossed by a southerly gale on the deep,
Across the Aegean, sell your ship because of it!
To a healthy man, Rhodes and beautiful Mytilene
Are a heavy cloak in summer, a loincloth worn in
A snowstorm, the wintry Tiber, or an August fire.
While Fate proves benign, and while you can, from Rome,
Praise the far-distant, Samos, and Chios, and Rhodes.
And whatever the hour heaven has blessed you with
Accept it gratefully, don't put off what’s sweet to some
Other year: then wherever you’ve lived, you can say
You were happy. It’s wisdom, it’s reason, not some place
Overlooking a breadth of water, that drives out care:
Those who rush to sea gain a change of sky not themselves.
Restless idleness occupies us: in yachts and chariots
We seek the good life. But what you’re seeking is here:
If your mind’s not lacking in calm, it’s at Ulubrae!

Original text: Latin Library: Q. HORATIVS FLACCVS
Translation: A.S. Kline, Poetry in Tranlation: Horace

horace: more carpe diem

2009-07-02T22:43:03-04:00

Epistles, Book 1, IV

Albi, nostrorum sermonum candide iudex,
quid nunc te dicam facere in regione Pedana?
Scribere quod Cassi Parmensis opuscula uincat,
an tacitum siluas inter reptare salubris,
curantem quicquid dignum sapiente bonoque est?               5
Non tu corpus eras sine pectore; di tibi formam,
di tibi diuitias dederunt artemque fruendi.
Quid uoueat dulci nutricula maius alumno,
qui sapere et fari possit quae sentiat, et cui
gratia, fama, ualetudo contingat abunde,               10
et mundus uictus non deficiente crumina?
Inter spem curamque, timores inter et iras
omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum;
grata superueniet quae non sperabitur hora.
Me pinguem et nitidum bene curata cute uises,               15
cum ridere uoles, Epicuri de grege porcum.

Tibullus, sincere judge of my Satires, what shall I
Say you're doing in your native country at Pedum?
Writing something to outdo Cassius of Parma's pieces,
Or creeping about silently in healthy woodland,
Thinking of all that belongs to the wise and good?
You were never just a body, lacking in feelings:
The gods gave you beauty, wealth, the art of enjoyment.
What more would a nurse desire for her sweet darling
Than wisdom, the power to express what he feels,
With a generous share of kindness, health and fame,
An elegant mode of life, and no lack of money?
Beset by hopes and anxieties, indignation and fear,
Treat every day that dawns for you as the last.
The unhoped-for hour's ever welcome when it comes.
When you want to smile then visit me: sleek, and fat
I'm a hog, well cared-for, one of Epicurus' herd.

Original text: Latin Library: Q. HORATIVS FLACCVS
Translation: A.S. Kline, Poetry in Tranlation: Horace

back to horace: carpe diem

2009-07-02T20:55:15-04:00

Odes, Book 1, XI

Tu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. Vt melius quicquid erit pati!
Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare 5
Tyrrhenum, sapias, uina liques et spatio breui
spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit inuida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.

Leuconoë, don’t ask, we never know, what fate the gods grant us,
whether your fate or mine, don’t waste your time on Babylonian,
futile, calculations. How much better to suffer what happens,
whether Jupiter gives us more winters or this is the last one,
one debilitating the Tyrrhenian Sea on opposing cliffs.
Be wise, and mix the wine, since time is short: limit that far-reaching hope.
The envious moment is flying now, now, while we’re speaking:
Seize the day, place in the hours that come as little faith as you can.

Original text: Latin Library: Q. HORATIVS FLACCVS
Translation: A.S. Kline, Poetry in Tranlation: Horace

upcoming book chat july 15 (and final for the season) 'tiberius' by allan massie

2009-07-02T20:21:08-04:00

Tiberius: The Memoirs of the Emperor
By Allan Massie

Blogging forthwith … just started re-reading the book.

online book chats

2009-07-01T23:00:00-04:00

This blog is an adjunct to The Roman History Reading Group which meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month except August in our chat room from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. US EDT. (This means that in Asia and Australia/Pacific, it's daytime.) Here is a world time clock as a general assistance for non-USAns.

Chat room location (with instructions) at Google Talk.

2009 Reading Schedule

July 15
Tiberius: The Memoirs of the Emperor
By Allan Massie

August Recess

Join us!
We are now also on Facebook.
New: Find our updates on Twitter.

the view from my window

2009-07-01T14:47:36-04:00

Little did I know when I tested my SLR last week that I photographed something unusual:

June 29, 2009
(not as distinct though as in the City)

Apocalyptic Sky Over New York Tonight
Mammatus clouds

another online translation of horace

2009-06-29T23:40:16-04:00

Update: Robert found the same translation at Wikisource: The Works of Horace, translated by By C. Smart. No date given though either, but looks like it's this Christopher Smart (1722 - 1771). (Works by Christopher Smart).

At Authorama:

Horace: The Works of Horace (no translator name given)

reading horace satires (ctd.)

2009-06-29T16:52:00-04:00

Now here is a true satire!

Book II Satire V – Legacy Hunting

BkIISatV:1-22 Ulysses questions Tiresias. 4
BkIISatV:23-44 The path to riches. 4
BkIISatV:45-69 Will-hunting!5
BkIISatV:70-88 Try every trick, but be careful!6
BkIISatV:89-110 Be discrete even after inheriting

reading horace satires (ctd.)

2009-06-29T14:54:00-04:00

Comparing Horace with Juvenal, I perceive Horace' Satires much less over the top, which when he describes scenes, gives us moderns a pretty good first hand impression of life in the Rome of his times. A good example, I think, is Satire 1, V – Journey to Brundisium:

BkISatV:1-33 Off to meet Maecenas, going to Brindisi4
BkISatV:34-70 Onward to supper at Cocceius’ villa. 4
BkISatV:71-104 And so by stages to journey’s end

Of course, one has to chuckle quite a bit over Satire 2, VIII – A Dinner Party:

BkIISatVIII:1-19 Nasidienus’ dinner-party. 4
BkIISatVIII:20-41 The guests. 4
BkIISatVIII:42-78 The trials of being a host5
BkIISatVIII:79-95 The guests disperse!

Texts from A.S. Kline (Poetry in Translation)