Aelius Sejanus

Family: Roman imperial household · Role: commander of the Praetorian bands · First appears: Annals I (8)

At Pannonia, Aelius Sejanus was newly joined with his father Strabo in command of the Praetorian bands. Tiberius sent him to govern Drusus (Tiberius's son) and negotiate with the revolters by promises and terrors, relying on his great credit with the Emperor.

By Annals IV, Sejanus had gathered the scattered Praetorian cohorts into one camp, strengthening his authority over the guards. Tiberius publicly praised him as “the sharer of his burdens” and allowed his effigies to be worshipped. Sejanus became a rival and enemy of Drusus (Tiberius's son), who had struck him during a quarrel, and he drew Livia into adultery, marriage schemes, partnership in the Empire, and the proposed murder of her husband.

To avoid Livia’s jealousy, Sejanus repudiated Apicata, his wife and the mother of his three children. He then began plotting Drusus (Tiberius's son)’s murder as the first step in a succession of killings, while also bearing the disgrace of having, for hire, exposed himself to the sexual abuse of Apicius.