Tiberius and the Roman Constitution
Date
1977
Authors
Barnett, Robert Terence
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Abstract
The thesis attempts to shed light on the ideological, political, electoral, administrative, legislative and legal aspects of the Tiberian constitution, and to demonstrate that Tiberius regarded the state as a functioning, legally sanctioned republic under the princeps' own necessary tutelage.
The first chapter deals with Tiberius' republicanism and his view of the state as an oligarchy under supreme authority. It investigates the accession debate in the senate, the Augustan insurance for the succession, and the consequent senatorial opposition to Tiberius' republican administration.
In the second chapter a study of the political alliances of the period is used to reveal that, while other leaders drew support from revolutionary sectors, Tiberius maintained his control through the old Republican and Augustan families which had the most to gain from a retention of the status quo.
The third chapter, dealing with elections, attempts to show that Tiberius' interference with the senatorial government, although real and to some extent intentional, was necessary for the principate and was exercised in such a way as to ensure good government. Here, as in Chapter I, it may be seen that Tiberius refused to increase his powers at the expense of the senate.
In the fourth chapter Tiberius' interference, in this case in the senatorial provinces, is shown as being of a benign and necessary nature. Tiberius insured good government through the promotion of his am i ci which often must have mitigated overt interference, and therefore, possible senatorial resentment.
The fifth chapter, on legislation, demonstrates Tiberius' conservatism, as well as his general desire for utility and moderation.
The final chapter, on trials, shows Tiberius' exercise of authority on a more personal .level. Generally aloof, Tiberius seems to have supported the laws over personal interests. And again, in certain instances, the emperor showed his desire for moderation, utility, and the maintenance of the state.
The thesis set forth is that Tiberius did regard the Roman state as a vestigial republic and treated it as such by moderating and, to some degree, concealing his own necessary interference. Tiberius' ultimate goal must be seen as an attempt to ensure the orderly functioning of government to prevent any recurrence of the military strife which was the very causa sine qua non of the principate.