same--to make of the family of Augustus one formidable and united body,
so that it might constitute the solid base of the entire government of
the empire. But, alas! wise as were the intentions, the ferments of
discord and the unhappiness of the times prevailed against them. Too
much had been hoped for in recalling Tiberius to power. During the ten
years of senile government, the empire had been reduced to a state of
utter disorder. The measures planned by Tiberius for reestablishing
the finances of the state roused the liveliest discontent among the
wealthy classes in Italy, and again excited their hatred against him.
In the year 6 A.D., the great revolt of Pannonia broke out and for a
moment filled Italy with unspeakable terror. In an instant of mob
fury, they even came to fear that the peninsula would be invaded and
Rome besieged by the barbarians of the Danube. Tiberius came to the
rescue, and with patience and coolness put down the insurrection, not
by facing it in open conflict, but by drawing out the war to such a
length as to weary the enemy, a method both safe and wise, considering
the unreliable character of the troops at his command. But at Rome,
once the fear had subsided, the long duration of the war became a new
cause for dissatisfaction and anger, and offered to many a pretext for
venting their long-cherished hatred against Tiberius, who was accused
of being afraid, of not knowing how to end the war, and of drawing it
out for motives of personal ambition. The party averse to Tiberius
again raised its head and resorted once more to its former policy--that
of urging on Germanicus against Tiberius. The former was young,
ambitious, bold, and would have preferred daring strokes and a war
quickly concluded. It is certain that there would have risen then and
there a Germanican and a Tiberian party, if Augustus, on this occasion,
had not energetically sustained Tiberius from Rome. But the situation
again became strained and full of uncertainty.