ABSTRACT
AFTER Augustus’ death came the problem of effecting the succession. The consuls at once swore an oath of loyalty to his stepson Tiberius, and then administered this oath to the Senate, knights and People. 1 Apparently it was the Senate, acting on the consuls’ motion, that actually proclaimed him Emperor. Tiberius professed great reluctance to assume the office; in fact it had to be pressed upon him. His motive in this is uncertain. The ancient sources make the not very subtle suggestion that he was merely playing the rôle of a dissembling hypocrite, a charge which they repeat time and again on other occasions during the reign. But the alleged duplicity of Tiberius does not carry conviction : it is wildly improbable that he was invariably a profound dissembler. Some other explanation must be sought for the curious scene in the year 14.
