public expenses kept the taxes down. Commerce was cherished, and his
reign on the whole was one of prosperity for the Empire.

Tiberius was noted especially for prosecutions for MAJESTAS, on the
slightest pretext. _Majestas_ nearly corresponds to treason; but
it is more comprehensive. One of the offences included in the word was
effecting, aiding in, or planning the death of a magistrate, or of one
who had the _imperium_ or _potestas_. Tiberius stretched the
application of this offence even to words or conduct which could in
any way be considered dangerous to the Emperor. A hateful class of
informers (_delatores_) sprung up, and the lives of all were rendered
unsafe. The dark side of this ruler's character is made specially
prominent by ancient historians; but their statements are beginning to
be taken with much allowance.

After a reign of twenty-three years, Tiberius died, either in a
fainting fit or from violence, at the age of seventy-nine.

LIVIA, the mother of Tiberius, deserves more than a passing notice.
She exercised almost a boundless influence on her husband, Augustus.
She had great ambition, and was very cruel and unscrupulous. She
managed to ruin, one after another, the large circle of relatives of
Augustus, until finally the aged Emperor found himself alone in the
palace with Livia and her son, Tiberius. All Rome execrated the
Empress, and her son feared and hated her. She survived Augustus
fifteen years, and died in 29. Tiberius refused to visit her on her
death-bed, and was not present at her funeral.

SEJÁNUS was the commander of the Praetorian Guard of Tiberius. He was
trusted fully by the Emperor, but proved to be a deep-dyed rascal. He