Tiberius and the Heavenly Twins

Bibliographic Data

ID9291908
AuthorsEdward Champlin (Princeton University, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume101
Pages73-99
Publication date2011-05-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Roman Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0075-4358 • E-ISSN: 1753-528X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0075435811000013
OpenAlexW2000024599
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited18

This paper aims to illustrate the practical application of myth in public life under the early Principate. It begins by sketching the deep historical affection of the people of Rome for the twins Castor and Pollux, and the great posthumous popularity of Nero Claudius Drusus for generations after his death in 9 b.c . Concentrating on the dedicatory inscription of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in Rome, the paper argues that Tiberius Caesar, notoriously addicted to mythology, crafted a potent public association between the heavenly twins and himself and his brother Drusus, and it goes on to examine the effect of that association

Affection · Ancient history · Art · Brother · Epistemology · Genealogy · Mythology · Political science · Politics · Popularity · Principate · Sociology · Anthropology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Law · Philosophy