Drusus Julius Caesar

Roma ~PSQR~ Quincunx

Introduction

Drusus Julius Caesar (14 BC-14 September 23 AD) was the son of Emperor Tiberius and the heir to the Roman Empire from the death of his adoptive brother Germanicus in 19 AD until his own murder by Sejanus in 23 AD. He also served as Roman consul in 15 AD and 21 AD.

Appearance

Background

Drusus Julius Caesar was born in Rome, Latium, Roman Republic, the son of Tiberius and Vipsania Agrippina; he was named for his paternal uncle Nero Claudius Drusus. In 4 AD, when Tiberius was adopted as Emperor Augustus' heir, Drusus was married to his cousin Livilla, who had infidelities with another cousin, Agrippa Postumus. Drusus and his adoptive brother Germanicus progressed through Roman society together; they became quaestor at the same age (Drusus in 10 AD), both were exempted from holding the praetorship, they held their first and second consulships at the same age, and both were given imperium when they were given lands to govern. In September of 14 AD, after the death of Emperor Augustus, Drusus was sent to quell the mutiny of the legions in Illyricum, and he also quelled the revolt of three legions in Pannonia after executing the mutiny's leaders. He held the consulship in 15 AD, and, from 17 to 20 AD, he served as Governor of Illyricum. During the summer of 18 AD, he led a successful invasion of the Marcomanni lands in Bohemia, and he received an ovation for his success on his return to Rome. After his brother Germanicus' death in 19 AD, Drusus became the new heir to the Roman Empire, and he fathered Tiberius Gemellus on the same day as his brother's death, 10 October. Drusus returned to the consulship in 21 AD, and, the next year, he was formally made his father's heir. However, the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Sejanus, came to be the de facto heir to the empire after seducing Drusus' wife Livilla and winning the favor of Tiberius. Drusus felt jealous about Sejanus assisting in government while the Emperor's heir was alive, and he struck him in the face. Sejanus soon divorced his wife and planned to marry Livilla, who had her husband poisoned in 23 AD; Drusus died at the age of 36.

Destiny