Chapter 4 Summary

This chapter details events occurring between 9 BC and 2 AD. Drusus wrote a letter to Tiberius suggesting that they join together to force Augustus to step down from the throne and return Rome to the Republic. In the letter, Drusus candidly notes that Livia—their mother—was a significant problem and barrier to liberty. The letter was unfortunately delivered to Tiberius while in the presence of Livia and Augustus. Livia requested the letter from one of her sons to her other son be read out loud; Tiberius, unaware of the nature of the letter, complied. Drusus is immediately recalled from the frontier; he is unable to comply immediately due to wartime injuries. Livia sends her personal physician to the frontier to care for Drusus, and within a few days, he dies. Tiberius strongly suspects Livia of poisoning Drusus. Because he relies upon...