Germanicus
Germanicus,Germanicus Iulius Caesar (before adoption Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus), elder son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia, was born 24 May 15 or 16 BC and adopted in AD 4 by his uncle Tiberius. As Tiberius was immediately adopted by Augustus, Germanicus became a member of the Julian gens (family) in the direct line of succession; and his career was accelerated by special dispensations. He served under Tiberius in Pannonia (7–9), and Germany (11). In 12 he was consul, and in 13, as commander-in-chief in Gaul and Germany, he won his first salutation as imperator (V. Ehrenberg and A. H. M. Jones 368) in a campaign against the Germans, clearing them out of Gaul and re-establishing order there. By now he was a popular figure, held like his father to entertain ‘republican’ sentiments, and his affability contrasted with Tiberius' dour reserve. But, though by no means incapable, he was...
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