Seianus Augustus

Abstract

This paper tries to avoid speculation about the murderous machinations of the infamous praetorian prefect, about factional struggles under the principate of Tiberius, and about the nature of the prefect’s «conspiracy» (if there was one). It argues that, despite the blackening or suppression of memories of Sejanus, he was not an upstart (as he was posthumously portrayed), but rather an insider, not a potential regent for any supposed Claudian heir, but up until his last year the intended successor to supreme power. To that end, we look first to his roots within the aristocracy, his official public image, and the uncertain nature of the early principate, turning then to substantial hints about his unattested literary and alleged sexual tastes, and finally to his brilliant manipulation of legend to create a popular public persona. At each turn we find that, by the standards of his generation, he was a perfectly acceptable princeps.