Cassius Dio's Tiberius is an enigmatic emperor, a mix of virtues and vices. Books 57 and 58 of Dio's Roman History cover the reign of the second emperor, and the historian never loses sight of this central figure. Dio offers a counterpoint to the accounts of Tacitus and Suetonius, presenting a perspective that is informed by his own experiences and illustrative of his interest in the inner workings of imperial government. M. augments Dio's text through extensive analysis of the historical and historiographical questions and themes that arise between the death of Augustus and the demise of his successor. His translation is straightforward, and his commentary admirably advances our understanding of Dio and his Roman History, bringing a fresh perspective to the crucial reign of Rome's second emperor.
M.'s work comprises an accessible introduction, a translation of Dio's text as well as the fragments transmitted by the Byzantine epitomators, a detailed commentary and four appendices. The introduction lays the groundwork for M.'s interpretation of Dio as well as his Tiberius. Dio's senatorial status provides the key to understanding his Roman History. M. reconsiders Dio's potential sources and method of composition, addresses his shaping of material and explicates issues in the transmission of his text. In his own reconstruction M. carefully separates Dio from the Byzantine epitomators in both the translation and commentary. M. thus invites a new interpretation of the styles and choices of later historians and compilers (chiefly Xiphilinus, Zonaras and the Excerpta Constantiniana). Xiphilinus’ opening of Book 58 on the years ad 26–30 is ‘patchy and impressionistic’, and we feel the loss of Dio's account of the ‘seemingly inexorable rise of Sejanus’ (p. 269 on 58.1.1–4.7 [Xiph.]). Zonaras likewise adds his own perspective (e.g. Zonar. 11.2 = 57.22.4b; Dio 58.23.2).
M. describes his translation as ‘workmanlike’ (p. 41), and although the original Greek does not appear alongside it, we can still hear Dio's tone and style. M.'s English translation is the first to appear since E. Cary's Loeb edition. While M. acknowledges his indebtedness to Cary (p. 41), he also points out key differences in terminology and interpretation. For example, M. reasons that Gaius Fufius Geminus is accused of ‘sexual deviancy’, not ‘cowardice’, citing the Greek malakia as a cognate of kinaideia (p. 283 on 58.4.5 [Xiph.]). M. explains equivalencies in Greek and Latin (e.g. autokratôr = imperator [p. 102 on 57.2.1], prokritos = princeps [p. 158 on 57.8.2], dêmotikos = ciuilis = ‘republican’ [pp. 160–1 on 57.8.3]), and he leaves several terms untranslated, such as daimôn and tyche (Latin genius); on daimôn, he explains, ‘Daimones form an important component of Dio's own cosmological awareness. Dio believed his own successes (and survival) were due to a divinity (Tyche/Fortuna) mediated through “the divine power” (to daimonion)’ (p. 250 on 73.23.3–4). M. can be playful with language, calling Sejanus the ‘one-time toy boy of Marcus Gavius Apicius’ (paidika, 57.19.5 [Xiph.]), and is ready with word play (e.g. ‘but he forbade the word “insert” to be inserted into the decree’, 57.15.2). Nevertheless, there are a few places where the Greek would be useful, as M. comments on the alliteration of successive ka- sounds that amount to ‘a veritable katabasis for the fallen Sejanus’ (p. 298 on 58.11.3).
M.'s twin interests in historical detail and historiography intertwine throughout the commentary. M. reasons through central moments in Tiberius’ reign, from his delayed accession to the aftermath of the Sejanus affair. Dio's attention in Books 57 and 58 is firmly set on how Tiberius gained and maintained power and how he conducted himself as a ruler. For Dio, Tiberius began ruling as emperor in early October, when he was ‘assured of Germanicus’ loyalty’ (p. 361, Appendix 2; cf. p. 141 on 57.7.1). Dio's Tiberius displays signs of a good emperor and cultivates himself as an exemplum (p. 186 on 57.12.1). He is tolerant of those who display parrhêsia, but wont to hold grudges (p. 225 on 57.17.3), and he adopts a policy of dissimulation. Dio is not interested in his sexual vices (e.g. p. 332 on 58.22.1). Despite Sejanus’ rise, Tiberius remains a ‘political survivor’ with ‘inherent authority’ as emperor, who can destroy a man with a single letter (p. 269). Other characters are described as they relate to Tiberius. Agrippina is given a ‘quasi-heroic’ introduction, perhaps indicating her eventual role ‘as one of Tiberius’ high-profile victims’ (p. 134 on 57.5.6); Livia is ‘puffed up with arrogance’, a ‘very Dionian idea’ (p. 186 on 57.12.1); Germanicus subverts Dio's ‘familiar appearance/reality binary’ because his actions match his intentions (p. 139 on 57.6.3); and Sejanus is ‘little more than a cipher’ (p. 247 on 57.19.7 [Xiph.]), the ‘anti-Tiberius’ (p. 255 on 57.21.4 [Xiph.]).
The commentary's systematic, detailed discussion offers an analytical examination of prior scholarship, while allowing room for M.'s personality to emerge. Comments on syntax are few (although see the discussion of the conative imperfect as an important difference from Tacitus on p. 112 on 57.2.7). M. recognises when it is preferable to adopt a position of agnosticism, especially in considering the identities of unnamed persons and irresolvable chronologies (e.g. p. 321 on 58.19.6; p. 248 on 57.20.1–21.3). M. is comfortable making conjectures, suggesting that the son of Drusus who died young may have contracted a disease after the flooding of the Nile (p. 203 on 57.14.6). He argues for the importance of historical moments that have not been given due scholarly attention, such as the expulsion of the astrologers in ad 16 or 17 and its possible connection to the trial of Drusus Libo (pp. 217–18 on 57.15.8). There are touches of humour as well as pathos in his work. Considering the statue to Liberty constructed after the fall of Sejanus, he wonders, ‘libertas for whom?’ (p. 302 on 58.12.4). In the appearance of pseudo-Drusus, he adduces modern parallels, including sightings of Martin Mormann, Lord Lucan and Elvis (pp. 340–1 on 58.25.1).
M.'s Dio adopts ‘the persona of the critical historian, reporting a range of views, while delivering his own judgement’ (p. 116). Although Tiberius drives the narrative, the historian also records moments where elites transgress the expectations of their social class (e.g. 57.14.3), and takes an interest in high-status senatorial objects like the skimpodia (p. 229 on 57.17.6). As a possible sufferer of gout, he is attentive to those afflicted (p. 228 on 57.17.4), and he has an interest in trivial details (57.13.2; 58.19.2). Speeches and folkloric anecdotes provide opportunities for Dio to draw out broader themes (cf. p. 320 on 58.19.3–4; p. 256 on 57.21.5–7 [Xiph.]). Yet, the historian can also lump too many events together, leaving an impression of sloppiness, confusion and possible historical mistakes (e.g. p. 331 on 58.21.4).
Dio's focus on the emperor means that his account is fundamentally different from Tacitus. Where possible, M. introduces each year with a chart comparing the two historians. Dio espouses similar themes as Tacitus, but rarely deviates from res internae and does not have Tacitus’ extended dramatic scenes. His account of affairs in Parthia in ad 35 is so condensed as to be ‘barely intelligible’ (p. 342). In his impressionistic representation of the aftermath of Sejanus’ execution Dio is ‘the anti-Tacitus’ (p. 306 on 58.14.1–16.7). Book 58 culminates in an ‘anticlimactic anodyne obituary’ of Tiberius, and Dio artfully closes with the name of Gaius, the subject of the next book (p. 352 on 58.28.5).
In four appendices M. continues his discussions of Dio's literary career, the chronology of August–October ad 14, the two meetings of the senate in September of ad 14 and the family of Tiberius. The events of ad 14 return to the central historical inquiry at the opening of Book 57: why Tiberius delayed in accepting the principate. The volume ends with an extensive bibliography and indexes. It is difficult to imagine anything missing from this commentary, which is sure to become standard.
