Sejanus: Regent of Rome [Hardcover]

Sejanus is notoriously known as the Tiberius ambitious and ruthless Praetorian Prefect, widely believed to have craved the throne for himself and is considered the virtual ruler of Rome from AD 26-31.The figure of Sejanus has fascinated from ancient to more modern times. Sejanus, the emperor Tiberius' infamous Praetorian Prefect, is synonymous with overreaching ambition, murder, conspiracy and betrayal. According to the traditional storyline, this man craved the imperial throne for himself and sought it by isolating the naive emperor in his island pleasure palace on Capri whilst using his control over the Praetorian Guard, coupled with his immense power and influence in Rome, to purge the capital of potential opponents. His victims supposedly included the emperor's son, Drusus, poisoned by his own wife who had been seduced by Sejanus. The emperor, forewarned of Sejanus' ambition, struck first. The Prefect was arrested in the Senate, strangled and his corpse cast down the Gemonian Stairs.Study of Sejanus has generally been overshadowed by focus on Tiberius. John McHugh makes a fresh appraisal of the sources to offer the first full-length study in English to focus on this highly influential figure and his development of the Praetorian Prefecture.The figure of Sejanus has fascinated from ancient to more modern times. Sejanus, the emperor Tiberius' infamous Praetorian Prefect, is synonymous with over-reaching ambition, murder, conspiracy and betrayal.Sejanus is notorious as the Tiberius ambitious and ruthless Praetorian Prefect.Widely believed to have craved the throne for himself, he was virtual ruler of Rome from AD 26-31.Tiberius eventually had him murdered, believing he pre-empting his own assassination.Despite his important role, this the first English-language biography of this fascinating character.The author re-assesses the sources to paint a more nuanced portrait than the usual outright villain.Examines Sejanus important development of the role of the Praetol#,