cover of episode 535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)

535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)

2025/1/30
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Dominic Sandbrook
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Tom Holland
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Tom Holland: 我认为,要理解提庇留,需要深入研究他的家族背景和罗马历史的变迁。他出身于显赫的克劳狄家族,这个家族在罗马共和国时期既受人敬仰,也饱受争议。提庇留的母亲莉维娅被奥古斯都夺走,这在当时引发了巨大的丑闻。提庇留在奥古斯都的庇护下成长,展现出卓越的军事和政治才能,但他始终面临着身份认同的困境。作为克劳狄家族的后裔,他秉持着共和主义的理想;但作为奥古斯都的继承人,他又不得不维护帝国的统治。这种身份的冲突导致了他性格中的矛盾和复杂性。他晚年退隐卡普里岛,表面上是享受退休生活,但实际上是出于对政治斗争和自身安全的恐惧。苏维托尼乌斯对他的负面描写,虽然夸大了其恶行,但也反映了权力腐蚀的本质以及提庇留内心的挣扎与矛盾。 关于提庇留晚年的暴行,我认为需要谨慎看待。苏维托尼乌斯对他的性行为和残暴行为的描写,虽然耸人听闻,但其真实性有待商榷。许多故事带有民间传说的色彩,可能经过了夸大和演绎。此外,提庇留统治时期,罗马社会相对稳定,经济繁荣,这与苏维托尼乌斯描写的暴君形象存在矛盾。我们需要综合考虑各种史料,才能对提庇留有更全面的认识。 Dominic Sandbrook: 我同意Tom Holland的观点,对提庇留的评价不能简单地归结为好坏。苏维托尼乌斯和塔西佗等史家的记载,虽然提供了许多关于提庇留暴虐行为的细节,但这些记载也可能带有偏见和主观色彩。我们需要参考其他史料,例如菲洛的记载,来平衡对提庇留的评价。菲洛对提庇留的评价相对正面,认为他是一位英明的统治者,为罗马带来了长期的和平与繁荣。 提庇留的统治时期,罗马社会确实相对稳定,这与他个人的政治才能和统治策略密不可分。他精明强干,善于处理政治事务,维护了帝国的稳定和统一。但他同时也是一个性格复杂,内心矛盾的人。他既有共和主义者的理想,又不得不面对帝国统治的现实。这种冲突导致了他晚年性格的转变,以及对异己的残酷镇压。因此,对提庇留的评价应该是一个多维度的,既要看到他统治时期的成就,也要看到他个人性格的缺陷。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter delves into the infamous story of Tiberius's cruelty, recounting the tale of the fisherman and the mullet, and exploring the various accounts of his reign, highlighting the conflicting narratives of his character.
  • The story of Tiberius punishing a fisherman with a mullet and a lobster is a notorious incident in Roman history.
  • Suetonius' biography paints Tiberius as a capricious and cruel ruler, indulging in unspeakable depravity.
  • Upon Tiberius' death, the Roman populace expressed public exultation, contrasting with the honor afforded his body during his state funeral.

Shownotes Transcript

The Roman historian Suetonius’ biography of the controversial Emperor Tiberius is one of his most shocking and salacious, condemning Tiberius to infamy. But was Tiberius really the perverted monster Suetonius would have us believe? Born of Rome’s most illustrious family and a sacred bloodline - the Claudians - Tiberius’ mother Livia was unceremoniously taken from his father while she carried him, to marry the great Emperor Augustus. So it was that Tiberius grew up in the very heart of imperial power, proving himself intelligent, and a superb military commander. But, following the unforeseen deaths of Augustus’ young heirs, he found himself primed to become the next caesar of Rome. The reign that ensued would prove largely peaceful, prosperous and stable, though Tiberius himself was increasingly plagued by paranoia and fear. While the last of Augustus’ bloodline were wiped out one by one, he retired to Capri, much to the horror of the Roman people. Before long, rumours had begun percolating of the heinous deeds, sick proclivities, and vile abominations Tiberius was practicing on his pleasure island…

Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Tiberius, the impressive though widely lambasted second emperor of Rome. What is the truth behind the sordid myths and mysteries of his reign…?

Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893

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Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Editor: Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

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