Tiberius: The Emperor Who Just Wanted to Nap

Introduction

Tiberius, the second Roman emperor, is often overlooked in history for his more famous predecessor Augustus and his infamous successor Caligula. But Tiberius had his own quirks that make him a unique and humorous figure in Roman history.

Early Life

Tiberius was born on November 16, 42 BC, in Rome. He was the son of a respected Roman politician and military commander, but Tiberius had no interest in following in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he preferred to spend his days napping.

Military Career

Despite his lack of ambition, Tiberius was forced into the military by Augustus. But even as a soldier, Tiberius found ways to nap. He once famously fell asleep during a battle, causing his unit to lose. When reprimanded by his superiors, Tiberius simply shrugged and said, “Sorry, I couldn’t resist a good nap.”

Marriage and Family

Tiberius was married twice, but he was not exactly a model husband. He often complained about his wives and preferred to spend his time alone. He did have one son, Drusus, but Tiberius was not much of a father either. He once famously left Drusus behind on a family vacation, forgetting that the boy was with him.

Reign as Emperor

Tiberius became emperor in 14 AD after the death of Augustus. He was not thrilled with the job and often complained about the responsibilities of ruling. He famously said, “I wish I could just nap my way through this emperor thing.” Tiberius did manage to make some positive changes during his reign, including improving the justice system and expanding the Roman frontier.

Downfall

Tiberius eventually fell out of favor with the Roman people due to his reclusive nature and his brutal treatment of political enemies. He was also rumored to have engaged in some questionable sexual activities, including sleeping with young boys. Despite his flaws, Tiberius remains a somewhat endearing figure in Roman history, known for his love of napping and general lack of ambition.

Legacy

Tiberius died in 37 AD, possibly by natural causes or by assassination. He was succeeded by Caligula, whose reign was even more infamous. Tiberius may not have been the most successful or beloved emperor, but he did leave a lasting legacy as the emperor who just wanted to nap.