Coming into reading this book from prior knowledge I knew that the Romans were cruel people (well most of them anyway) but after reading about half of this book I have found it's much more than that. I could characterize them ( mostly emperor's but not all) as atrocious, cold -blooded, merciless, heartless, inhumane, ruthless, vicious,power hungry people. I guess this in more general terms is more aimed at the wealthier portion of the Ancient Roman population but it probably applies to some of the lesser fortunate as well. In some cases the person in question is broken. But this does not excuse their actions. Yes, Tiberius I am looking at you. Well, no I'm not because you did horrfic things to childern that I can not mention because they are not appropriate. You have scared me.
It is time to tell the story of Tiberius.
Once there was a boy named Tiberius he was the adopted son of Augstus Caesar. He was well educated and brought up in wealth. When he was about twenty he started to skillfully command armies. One day when he was home (Rome) from the war he met Vipsania , who too was wealth and noble, the two fell in love and got married and had a son, Drusus Julius Caesar, and lived happily ever after.
Haha. Yeah. No.
Vipsania got pregnant with another son. When Augustus heard about this here is what ensued.
"But Augustus cruelly intervened. I an act that would dramatically transform Tiberius, the self-proclaimed son of god ordered Tiberius to divorce Vipsania after eight years of marriage and wed Augustus's recently widowed daughter, Julia. When Tiberius argued against the divorce, he was ordered to be compliant or suffer harsh punishment. Devastated, Vipsania suffered a miscarriage. Tiberius distraught but obeyed the emperor. A short time later he accidentally ran into his beloved Vipsania on the streets of Tome and broke down, making a very public display by sobbing and begging for forgiveness. When news of the behavior reached Augustus, he demanded that Tiberius never again speak with Vipsania. And so died the human part of Tiberius. " (O'Reilly 112)
In this passage you see I'm not the only one who thinks that Romans are cruel . O'Reilly put it in words the best when he said that the human part Tiberius died because I feel that no human would do things this cruel and disgusting to other humans.
What would you do in Tiberius's position or Vipsania's?
Here is a link for more information on Tiberius.
Tiberius
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