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Drusus Julius Caesar
| Drusus Julius Caesar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bust, Musée Saint-Raymond | |
| Born | Nero Claudius Drusus 7 October c. 14 BC[1] Rome, Italy |
| Died | 14 September AD 23[2] (aged approx. 36) |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Livilla |
| Issue |
|
| Dynasty | Julio-Claudian |
| Father | Tiberius |
| Mother | Vipsania Agrippina |
Drusus Julius Caesar (7 October c. 14 BC – 14 September AD 23), also called Drusus the Younger, was the son of Emperor Tiberius, and heir to the Roman Empire following the death of his adoptive brother Germanicus in AD 19.
He was born at Rome to a prominent branch of the gens Claudia, the son of Tiberius and his first wife, Vipsania Agrippina. His name at birth was Nero Claudius Drusus after his paternal uncle Nero Claudius Drusus (Drusus the Elder). In AD 4, he assumed the name Julius Caesar following his father's adoption into the Julii by Augustus, and became Drusus Julius Caesar.
Drusus first entered politics with the office of quaestor in AD 10. His political career mirrored that of Germanicus, and he assumed all his offices at the same age as him. Following the model of Augustus, it was intended that the two would rule together. They were both popular, and many dedications have been found in their honor across Roman Italy. Cassius Dio calls him "Castor" in his Roman History, likening Drusus and Germanicus to the twins, Castor and Pollux, of Roman mythology.[3][4]
Drusus died suddenly on September 14th 23 ad. Ancient historians, such as Tacitus and Suetonius, claim that he died amid a feud with the powerful Sejanus, Praetorian prefect of Rome. They allege that Drusus was murdered. In their account, Sejanus had seduced Drusus's wife Livilla, and, with the help of a doctor, she had poisoned Drusus. Despite the rumors, Tiberius did not suspect Sejanus and the two remained friends until Sejanus's fall from grace in 31 ad.
- ^ Rowe 2002, p. 179
- ^ CIL VI, 32493. See also Bertrand A.; Perrot, G (1894). Revue archéologique. Vol. 25. p. 400.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Cassius Dio, Roman History, LVII.14
- ^ Levick 1966, p. 234
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