Germanicus (15 BCE – 19CE) and his family were among the most popular of their time. They carefully crafted their public image for political advantage in ways not dissimilar for modern prestigious families (e.g., dressing up the kids to look cute at public events, staging dramatic enterences and exits for emotional impact on the public). Like his grandfather, the emperor Augustus, Germanicus seemed to be the model citizen, winning honor and victory on the battlefield. Unfortunately honor and victory do not necessarily correlate with a long life. Germanicus was a charismatic guy, making friends easily, though clearly not everyone liked him since he was likely poisoned in 19CE. The emperior Tiberius may not have been his biggest fan either, as the emperior seemed to percieve Germanicus as a rival to him or his own son. This tention may have allowed Piso to perceive tacit approval to have Germanicus’s eliminated, thus the poisoning scheme.
Though his life was short, his legacy was long. Generations of weaker emperors leveraged Germanicus by attaching themselves to his achievements. His son Gaius would later become emperor; and his brother Claudius would also become emperor after Gaius’s murder.
How would history have been different if Germanicus actually became emperor instead of his impetuous son Gaius? More glory for Rome? Maybe not.
Germanicus, brother of Claudius, 50-54 CE. Æ As (10.11 gm). Bare head / Large SC. RIC.Calig.43. VF, brown patina. Scarce.