Although the early old ages of the reign of Tiberius were considered to be successful and comfortable. it is noted that they were non without negative facets. The function of Princeps was a big undertaking. like “holding a wolf by the ears” ( Suetonius ) . particularly wining the successful reign of the well liked Augustus. and a dependable leader was indispensable in order to prolong stableness. This involved stepping up to a function where the protection of the state was put foremost and a existent leader was required to run all facets of the land. However. there is contention as to whether Tiberius truly stepped up to the function every bit expeditiously as others.

He was decidedly a adult male of tradition. but was non good liked by the population. Tiberius’ reign held both strengths and failings which created a argument as to whether he was a successful swayer or non. Despite his hapless opinion of persons. Tiberius had many positive qualities. He stuck to tradition and liked those who spoke up. a quality he perchance wished to possess. He was an efficient decision maker. protecting each state and ensured that ‘old inflictions were non aggravated through official acquisitiveness or ferociousness. ’ ( Tacitus. Annalss. p. 00 )

One of the first jobs Tiberius encountered was the issues among the soldiers at Pannonia and Germania by Augustus affecting wage. length of service and conditions. He assigned both his biological and adopted boies. Drusus and Germanicus. to each part taking to calm the rebellious Legions. There the boies were able to work out the military jobs. It was merely through Tiberius that “Germanicus had restored Roman prestigiousness and thereby strengthened the Rhine frontier. ” ( Scullard ) This. along with many other issues. exemplified his accomplishments as a military leader and his ability to happen a solution to jobs quickly.

As measure boy and predecessor of Augustus. Tiberius wanted to look like Augustus. low and wise. by declining the rubric of Princeps. “Compelled to honor the case in points set by Augustus everyplace. Tiberius was hampered in idea and title by his ain past…” ( Syme. Tacitus. p. 428 ) He was ever known for being a close introvert. but after he was loath in going Princeps. he was seen to possess even more enigma as it was ill-defined as to why did non accept the rubric of Princeps straight off.

He claimed he wasn’t old plenty to govern the imperium and would non transport the rubric of Pater Patriae. and perchance even wanted to look as though he was granted the place by the province and. as Tacitus provinces. non to hold “wormed his manner in by an old man’s acceptance. ” However. he was merely seen to be thankless and hypocritical. puting him in a negative visible radiation. This rickety start to his reign formed portion of his unpopularity. A common manner of depicting Tiberius among historiographers. including Tacitus. was revengeful with a hapless sense of opinion.

He was a adult male who kept his ideas and feelings to himself. a trait perchance continued on from the clip of Augustus’ reign. and was non an expert in calculating out the truth behind person. He did non waver in befriending the fallacious Sejanus. Sejanus “an able decision maker. he rapidly won the blessing and the personal friendly relationship of Tiberius. ” ( Scullard ) for many old ages but it was merely after Tiberius discovered Sejanus’ secret plan to subvert him as Princeps did Tiberius name him a “small-town cheater” and order his executing. His hapless opinion of Sejanus could hold cost him the imperium and its stableness.

Tiberius’ reign achieves no definite label of successful or unsuccessful due to the sums of both strengths and failings. His gloomy and suffering personality did non heighten his success as an emperor but neither did his efforts at being low. Although he was non liked by many due to his sometimes disloyal behavior. his strong military and administrative leading was what got Rome through his reign. It could be argued that Tiberius was unsuitable for the function of emperor. nevertheless the epoch remained peaceable and steady. which in the terminal was what truly mattered.