Tiberius and Claudius accession

Tiberius

Stepson of Augustus - adopted alongside Postumus AD4
Took part in military campaigns, including Illyricum and Pannonia. Saved frontier in Geramny after Varus disaster - triumphed 12AD
"For want of a better choice" - Suetonius
"Augustus weighed up his good qualities against the bad, and decided that the good tipped the scale" - Suetonius
Recieved pro-consular imperium in 13AD
Twice refused Pater Patriae
Deification of Augustus after death - strengthens
At first declined offer of Augustus' powers - took the emperorship with reluctance, retired to Rhodes beforehand
"Until I grow so old that you might be good enough to grant me respite" - Suetonius
"kept the Senate guessing" - Suetonius
The army in Germany refused to acknowledge him - "the army in Germany refused to acknowledge an Emperor whome they had not chosen themselves"

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Praetorian Guard - hiding behind curtains and proclaimed emperor - Suetonius says its an "extraordinary accident"
"first empror to buy the loyalty of his troops"
Secures position through Praetorian Guard because the senate had no army to fight agaist them
Praetorian Guard were at there greatness
Augustus gave Claudius no powers when he was younger - "renounced all hopes of a political career"
Mauritania revolts put down by Crassus Frugi - revolts as a result of Caligula's murder of their king
Had only held one consulship before in AD31 and had been "nearly disposed"
Busy with role as Censor - annoyed senate as many of them would have wanted the role

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