Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-04-16
TIBERTus CESAR.

man king over that province. He wa:
q man of great abilities, but of execrable
character. This was the Herod who
ordered the assassination of the babes
of Bethlehem. He died few years af-
ter the birth Of Christ.
Augustus Cesar married, as third
wife, Liyia DrusiIla, the wife of an ex-
lied Roman General Tiberius. Livia
had a son whom she had named, after
his father, Tiberius. Caesar had an
only daughter. Julia. By the marriage
of The parents these children became, in
4. law, brothers and sisters. They were
however subsequently, married. Julia
became one Of the most wicked OF wo-
men, and conducted so shamefully, that
her father Augustus, ordered her to be
divorced from her husband and sent
her into exile upon small island on
the coast of Campsnia. Her father
was so indignant at her conduct that be
refused ever to see her again.
Upon the death of Augustus, Tiberi-
us ascended the throne. He was then
ffty-six years of age. He soon entered
upon a career OF crime and cruelty
which has stamped infamy upon his
name. Retiring from Rome, he sought
a rural retreat in Campania, part of
the present kingdom of Naples, which
was then considered the most delight.
full climate in the world. At short
distance from the shore was the beau
tiful island of Cabrae. Here TiberiOus
surrounded himself with all the luxury
and voluptuousness which imperial
wealth could confer. From these halls
of sensual indulgence and almost un-
earthly splendor, he ruled the empire,
by means Of spies and other agents, with
a rod of iron.
There was an army on the Danube,
led by heroic man by the name Of
Germanicus. He was the idol of his
soldiers. They urged him to assume
the crown and march to the dethrone-
ment of the tyrant. He Indignantly
refused. But the eye Of Tiberius was
upon him. He soon perished, proba.
bly, of poison. His children were
thrown into a dungeon and several Of
them starved to death. One son chan
ced to escape this doom. The wife Of
Germanicus was driven into exile
All who we're suspected Of favoring the
revolt bled upon the scaffold, after hav-
ing first been exposed to the most ter
lible tortures. When one, TO escape
this torture, committed suicide, Tibe-
RUS expressed deep regret that the vic
tim had thus escaped hin.
The monster was terribly punished
for his atrocities. Living in constant
dread of assassination, he had not mo-
ment Of peace night or day. He scarce
" dared TO eat lest mis- food should BE-
poisoned. He was in dread Of the very
guards who stood by his door at night,
and his sleep WAS disturbed by terror
and hideous dreams. Whenever be
rode out he was in constant tremor,
expecting to see lurking assassin leap
out from every corner. The miseries
he inflicted upon others thus rebounded
1,pon himself. 1t is a curious fact well
worthy of note, that this Infamous pa
gan 'tyrsnt, in a court surrounded by
the most foul and unblushing disso-
auheuess, should himself have entered a
complaint TO the Senate, charging the
theater with exerting demoraliIing in
fiuence upon the community. Speak
ing OF the play actors. he says:
'1n many instances they sediciously
violate the public peace. Many pro-
mote immortality in private ianilies.-
The Oscar farce, formerly only the con-
temptibie delight Of the vulgar, has ris-
en- to such pitch of depravity, and has
exercised such an influence upon socie.
ty. that it must be checked by authori.
ty of the Senate"
The obsequious Senate bauished the
playactors from Italy, and that they
might still more ingratiate themselves
with the merciless tyrant, proposed
that temple should be reared to Tibe
rious, and that he should be worsbippeC
with divine honors. The answer o
Tiberius shows how a man with th'
heart of a fend cen use the language o
an angel: s'
"For myself" said the wretch, Gus
tice will be rendered to my memory,
Lam regarded as worthy of my ances
tors, watchful Of your interests, un
moved in perils and fearless of privat'
enmities in defence Of the public veal
These are the temples would raise il
your breasts. These are the fairest eff
pies. and such as will endure"
It was nine years after Tiberius com
menced his reign before he retired from
his luxurious palaces in Rome to hi
more soluptuous surroundings on th
island Of Cabrse. Bacitus, speakin
of the motives which induced Tiberiu
to seek this comparative retirement
says: :.
"He probably wished to indulge hi
cruel and libidinous disposition wit
greater effect in the secrecy Of retil
ed situation Some thought that
his old age he was ashamed of his per
sonal appearance, for he was exceed
inply emaciated, lank and STOPPING; hi
head bald, his face ulcerous and thicl
ly patched with blisters."
For six years Tiberius remained 4
Oabrse. During this time there ver
many revolts and conspiracies, whic
he crushed with bloody hand. A
acc;deut occurred in the village of F
ss1r1 = - .-..:io. fkos-, ponna ono ,