Sejanus Overthrows Tiberius

At the time of Tiberius' reign over Rome, coups hadn't come into style yet. But what if the original conniving and ambitious Praetorian commander had decided to usurp the leadership of the Roman Empire while Tiberius wallowed in his self-imposed exile? He already had coins with his face on them, and of himself statues erected. His birthday was observed as a holiday.

And frankly, most people disliked Tiberius and he was a terrible leader and politician.

Of course, Sejanus never played that card and ended up getting denunciated and executed for some reason or other probably related to his attempt to replace the Emperor.

So what if powerful young Patrick Stewart had taken the opportunity to grab the reigns of an Empire? Would there be a civil war? Would Tiberius have a chance? Would Sejanus, an ambitious man and canny politician, be a better leader than the woefully inept Tiberius or another Sulla? And who would succeed him if Caligula ended up dead or on the outs of the New Order?

Discuss.
 
It's very early days, but there is a good chance that the senatorial class will view him as a presumptuous usurper. Remaining a Roman emperor wasn't easy at the best of times, and a man like Sejanus would find it very hard indeed. The main question, I think, is whether any opposition can get its act together soon enough to remove him internally or whether the disaffection of the troops does so in a new round of civil war. This could bring back the bad old days with a vengeance. If he can hold on, he would have to be hugely politically skilled and a supreme manipulator of public opinion, and I don't quite see that.
 
It's very early days, but there is a good chance that the senatorial class will view him as a presumptuous usurper. Remaining a Roman emperor wasn't easy at the best of times, and a man like Sejanus would find it very hard indeed. The main question, I think, is whether any opposition can get its act together soon enough to remove him internally or whether the disaffection of the troops does so in a new round of civil war. This could bring back the bad old days with a vengeance. If he can hold on, he would have to be hugely politically skilled and a supreme manipulator of public opinion, and I don't quite see that.

That is exactly why he and others like him throughout history, have tried to have their dynasty initiated and their power confirmed by marriage with the ruling family.
 
That is exactly why he and others like him throughout history, have tried to have their dynasty initiated and their power confirmed by marriage with the ruling family.

As I said, it's early for that. There isn't really a 'blood royal' of Rome yet, and while inheriting loyalties through the female line is thinkable (on the Hellenistic model), it's still dodgy. The senate probably wouldn't care anyway - the guy is an equestrian and upstart - but I doubt this would help him with the soldiers who adored the line of Germanicus (with a male heir) or the Roman populace.
 
That is exactly why he and others like him throughout history, have tried to have their dynasty initiated and their power confirmed by marriage with the ruling family.

Which is what Sejanus tried to do, by marrying his sister to the Princeps' bumbling idiot of a nephew, Clau-Clau-Claudius. Once Sejanus fell, all of his associates were persecuted as well, but luckily Claudius managed to avoid the purges by stammering and drooling on himself.:cool:

EDIT: this is probably what you were referencing
 
Modern historians tend to believe that Sejanus's downfall was caused by a failed attempt to overthrow Tiberius and become "regent" for Tiberius Gemellus or even Caligula... But since that part of Tacitus work is lost we might never know...
 
Modern historians tend to believe that Sejanus's downfall was caused by a failed attempt to overthrow Tiberius and become "regent" for Tiberius Gemellus or even Caligula... But since that part of Tacitus work is lost we might never know...

Power behind the throne sounds more realistic an ambition, though being regent for Littleboots can't be a pleasant job.
 
Power behind the throne sounds more realistic an ambition, though being regent for Littleboots can't be a pleasant job.

We might never know what Sejanus was planning but he could have been regent for Gemellus or Caligula have them adopt him or vice versa and then arrange some accident for them... But this is just a speculation...
 
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