Monday, May 4, 2009

Roman General: Germanicus Caesar

Germanicus Caesar (15 BC-AD 19), Roman general, son of Nero Claudius Drusus by Antonia (Mark Antony's daughter). He was adopted by Tiberius in the lifetime of Augustus, and fought against the Pannonians, Dalmatians, and Germans (AD 7 - 12). On the death of Augustus (14) Germanicus had command of the legions in Germany when a serious mutiny broke out.

After restoring order he campaigned ineffectively in Germany for a couple of years. Tiberius recalled him in AD 17, and gave him a general command throughout the eastern provinces. At the same time, however, he appointed Piso governor of Syria. There was a clash of personalities between these two, and when Germanicus died at Antioch he believed himself to have been poisoned by Piso, whom Tiberius was obliged to sacrifice to the indignation of his subjects.

Germanicus was one of the most popular figures of his age. By his wife Agrippina he had nine children, including the Emperor Gaius (Caligula) and Agrippina, the mother of Nero.

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