Germanicus: The Magnificent Life and Mysterious Death of Rome's Most Popular General

by Lindsay Powell

Overview

Germanicus (a.k.a. Germanicus Iulius Caesar) was regarded by many Romans as a hero in the mold of Alexander the Great. His untimely death, in suspicious circumstances, ended the possibility of a return to a more open republic and ambitions for the outright conquest of Germania Magna (Germany). This, the first modern biography of Germanicus, is in parts a growing-up story, a history of war, a tale of political intrigue and a murder mystery. It is a natural sequel to the author's first book, Eager for Glory, which discussed the life of Germanicus’ natural father, Nero Claudius Drusus, for the first time.

Born in 15 BC, Germanicus grew up to be a skilled diplomat and bold soldier. Married to the granddaughter of Augustus (by whom he fathered the future Emperor Caligula) and responsible for avenging Rome’s humiliating defeat at the Teutoburg Forest through victory at Idistaviso (AD16) and the recovery of one of the lost standards, his reputation and popularity were immense. The Emperor Tiberius, his adoptive father, granted him a triumph, but refused to let him complete the reconquest of Germania, sending him instead to command in the East. Did Tiberius feel jealous and threatened?

Germanicus fortunes waned when he fell out with one of Tiberius appointees, Piso. His death in mysterious circumstances, aged 34, brought great outpourings of public grief and anger, with many suspecting murder on the orders of Tiberius. Piso was put on trial but he committed suicide – or was he murdered? – before the senate could reach a verdict.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473881983
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	08/05/2016
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Lindsay Powell is a historian and a writer who has a passion for the military history of the Roman Empire. He is news editor of Ancient History and Ancient Warfare magazines. His appearances include BBC Radio, Dan Snow’s History Hit and History Channel. He is author of Augustus at War, Eager for Glory, Germanicus and Marcus Agrippa from Pen and Sword Books. A graduate from Aston University, he is a veteran of The Ermine Street Guard re-enactment society. He divides his time between Austin, Texas and Wokingham, England.

Table of Contents

Foreword Philip Matyzsak ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xvi

List of Illustrations xix

List of Maps xxii

Chronology xxiii

List of Consuls xxviii

Roman Names xxx

Stemmata xxxi

1 In the Name of the Father 1

2 First Steps to Glory 24

3 Law and Disorder 54

4 Up Against the Angrivarian Wall 85

5 Travels and Tribulations in the Orient 119

6 A Fine Roman in the Best Tradition 153

7 The Fall of the House of Germanicus 178

8 The Germanicus Tradition 195

9 Assessment 207

Appendix: Decree of the Senate Granting Honours for Germanicus 220

Glossary 226

Place Names 231

Ancient Sources 233

Notes 249

Bibliography 303

Index 321

What People are Saying About This

Ben Kane

Biographies of Germanicus Caesar — arguably one of Rome's finest generals — are few and far between, sadly. When one is published, therefore, it gives cause for celebration — particularly when it's as good as the volume penned by Lindsay Powell. Meticulously researched, absorbing and well written, this is no dusty, academic tome, but a 'must have' text for any reader with an interest in Rome. Powell knows his subject matter inside out, and is to be highly commended on a most welcome addition to the biographies of Rome's most famous sons. --Ben Kane, The Forgotten Legion Chronicles and Spartacus series

Anthony Riches

GERMANICUS brings the reader face to bloody face with serious history and tells the story of a Roman emperor that might have been - principled, courageous and, above all else, sane! Excellent fare, and highly recommended. --Anthony Riches, Empire series.

Philip Matyszak

A modern, impartial study of the life of Germanicus is not only timely but overdue. For, apart from the enduring mystery of his death, Germanicus did come as close as anyone in the attempt to re-establish Roman rule from the Rhine to the Elbe. Had he succeeded, the history of the Roman Empire - and therefore of subsequent ages - would have been greatly different. It is worth examining how and why the attempt failed, and learning more about the man who made it. --Philip Matyszak, author of The Sons of Caesar and Legionary: The Roman Soldier's Handbook

Editorial Reviews

"GERMANICUS brings the reader face to bloody face with serious history and tells the story of a Roman emperor that might have been - principled, courageous and, above all else, sane! Excellent fare, and highly recommended.'"

Anthony Riches

‘Biographies of Germanicus Caesar – arguably one of Rome’s finest generals – are few and far between, sadly. When one is published, therefore, it gives cause for celebration – particularly when it’s as good as the volume penned by Lindsay Powell. Meticulously researched, absorbing and well written, this is no dusty, academic tome, but a ‘must have’ text for any reader with an interest in Rome. Powell knows his subject matter inside out, and is to be highly commended on a most welcome addition to the biographies of Rome’s most famous sons.’

Ben Kane

"...both meticulously scholarly and absorbing to read as it delves into a great man's life marked by military glory, political intrigue and a murder mystery."

Toy Solder & Model Figure

"A modern, impartial study of the life of Germanicus is not only timely but overdue. For, apart from the enduring mystery of his death, Germanicus did come as close as anyone in the attempt to re-establish Roman rule from the Rhine to the Elbe. Had he succeeded, the history of the Roman Empire - and therefore of subsequent ages - would have been greatly different. It is worth examining how and why the attempt failed, and learning more about the man who made it."

Philip Matyszak

"I particularly like Powell's narrative style. It is extremely readable, providing an educational narrative on a fascinating period of history. ... Powell has done an exemplary job of shedding light upon the character and accomplishments of this noteworthy Roman. I strongly recommend this book"

Ancient Warfare, Issue VIII.4 - Major Chris Buckham

"What the author has achieved here [in GERMANICUS] is to describe not only a personality, but to carefully place that individual within the context of his time.... We learn not only about the man and his deeds, but his influence in history, literature, and art. It also happens to be a well written account and a good read, which means I now face an agonizing decision on which volume to discard on my bookshelf to make way for it."

UNRV

"The story of a Roman Emperor that might have been, Germanicus is a thorough, unbiased account of a man who is often overlooked despite the great impact he made on Ancient Rome.
It is a fascinating study and well worth reading if you have an interest in the Roman Empire."

Fighting Times

"...gives us a comprehensive account of the life, character, campaigns, and curious death of Germanicus (15 BC-AD 19) , son of the great Drusus, the subject of one of Powell’s earlier books, and adoptive son of his uncle the Emperor Tiberius. Today primarily remembered as the talented father of the maniacal Emperor Caligula and his sisters of dubious character or as the elder brother of the Emperor Claudius, Germanicus was among the more successful of Roman generals of all times, but is not well represented in the literature; this seems to be the first ever English biography. But Powel has not just given us a book about one man. He uses the life of Germanicus as a way of telling the story of Roman campaigns against the Germans during the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. H e sets the life of Germanicus fully within the framework of the politics and society of the early empire. While Powell is perhaps overly enthusiastic about his subject, rather glossing over some of Germanicus’s major blunders, he does refute some traditional views of the man’s life. For example, he argues that the hostility of Tiberius toward Germanicus, his adoptive son and heir, which constitutes the central theme of the ancient historian Suetonius which was picked up by Robert Graves in his novel I, Claudius is probably very overstated . He also offers some interesting thoughts on the curious death of Germanicus . Germanicus is an excellent read for anyone interested in the Roman Empire,"

StrategyPage

...gives us a comprehensive account of the life, character, campaigns, and curious death of Germanicus (15 BC-AD 19) , son of the great Drusus, the subject of one of Powell’s earlier books, and adoptive son of his uncle the Emperor Tiberius. Today primarily remembered as the talented father of the maniacal Emperor Caligula and his sisters of dubious character or as the elder brother of the Emperor Claudius, Germanicus was among the more successful of Roman generals of all times, but is not well represented in the literature; this seems to be the first ever English biography. But Powel has not just given us a book about one man. He uses the life of Germanicus as a way of telling the story of Roman campaigns against the Germans during the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius. H e sets the life of Germanicus fully within the framework of the politics and society of the early empire. While Powell is perhaps overly enthusiastic about his subject, rather glossing over some of Germanicus’s major blunders, he does refute some traditional views of the man’s life. For example, he argues that the hostility of Tiberius toward Germanicus, his adoptive son and heir, which constitutes the central theme of the ancient historian Suetonius which was picked up by Robert Graves in his novel I, Claudius is probably very overstated . He also offers some interesting thoughts on the curious death of Germanicus . Germanicus is an excellent read for anyone interested in the Roman Empire,

Strategy Page

"...both meticulously scholarly and absorbing to read as it delves into a great man's life marked by military glory, political intrigue and a murder mystery."

Toy Soldier and Model figure Magazine

"A modern, impartial study of the life of Germanicus is not only timely but overdue. For, apart from the enduring mystery of his death, Germanicus did come as close as anyone in the attempt to re-establish Roman rule from the Rhine to the Elbe. Had he succeeded, the history of the Roman Empire - and therefore of subsequent ages - would have been greatly different. It is worth examining how and why the attempt failed, and learning more about the man who made it."

author of The Sons of Caesar and Legionary: Th Philip Matyszak

'GERMANICUS brings the reader face to bloody face with serious history and tells the story of a Roman emperor that might have been - principled, courageous and, above all else, sane! Excellent fare, and highly recommended.'

Empire series. Anthony Riches

‘Biographies of Germanicus Caesar – arguably one of Rome’s finest generals – are few and far between, sadly. When one is published, therefore, it gives cause for celebration – particularly when it’s as good as the volume penned by Lindsay Powell. Meticulously researched, absorbing and well written, this is no dusty, academic tome, but a ‘must have’ text for any reader with an interest in Rome. Powell knows his subject matter inside out, and is to be highly commended on a most welcome addition to the biographies of Rome’s most famous sons.’

The Forgotten Legion Chronicles and Spartacus seri Ben Kane