Chapter 19 Summary

This chapter focuses on events occurring between 16 AD and 17 AD. Germanicus leads Roman forces against a rebelling German general named Hermann. A rather lengthy discussion of tactics is presented; in brief, the campaigns result in a series of decisive victories for Germanicus and Rome. When Hermann returns home, his own family kills him. As the Roman army returns via sea, a storm arises and scatters the fleet—Germanicus fears a terrible loss but after several days, most of the ships straggle to safety. Germanicus regroups and makes a triumphal return to Rome.

Meanwhile, Claudius has been sent to Carthage, ostensibly to dedicate a new temple. In reality, he has been shipped off by Livia to keep him out of the public eye during Germanicus' celebrations. The chapter concludes by noting that Tiberius continues to descend into moral and political corruption. His reputation...