Drusus (Tiberius's son)

Also known as: Drusus (Livia's husband) · Family: imperial household · Role: consul-designate · First appears: Annals I (6)

In Annals I, Drusus was consul-designate under Tiberius, who sent him to Pannonia to suppress the revolt and negotiate with the mutinous legions. Aelius Sejanus was sent to govern and advise him, while Cneius Lentulus was rescued by the troops attending Drusus. Drusus employed Julius Clemens to restore obedience, dispatched Lucius Apronius to Tiberius with the soldiers’ petitions, and ordered Vibulenus and Percennius executed: “They relinquished the guard of the gates.”

In the following years, Drusus received with Germanicus the lesser triumph and a triumphal arch, while his wife Livia bore male twins. The brothers lived in concord, and Drusus gained renown by sowing feuds among the Germans and helping complete the ruin of Maroboduus. He later departed for the army in Illyricum, postponed his ovation, and was advanced by Tiberius to the supreme magistracy and granted the Tribunitial Power. His family connections also included Vipsania, his mother, and Julia, his daughter; Pomponius Atticus was his great-grandfather.

In Annals IV, Drusus became the rival and enemy of Aelius Sejanus, striking him during a contest. Sejanus then plotted his murder and had poison administered by Lygdus; Livia the younger was said to have been involved. Drusus had earlier been entrusted with the care of Nero and Drusus (son of Germanicus), his nephews, and after his death the Senate decreed for him the same solemn funeral observances as for Germanicus, with additional honours.