Germanicus

Germanicus, Caesar, a noted Roman general (B.C. 15-A.D. 19), took his cognomen from his father, Claudius Drusus, the step-son of Augustus. The closeness of the young prince to the throne roused the jeeilousy of Tiberius. Tacitus is the chief authority for the details of his life. He served under Tiberius, and crushed a revolt in Pannonia and Dalmatia. Augustus gave him the command of the eight legions of the Rhine, and at the emperor's death the mutinous soldiers would have proclaimed Germanicus his successor, but he refused to allow it. He next proceeded to avenge the defeat of Varus by Arminius, and in two campaigns he crushed the Germans. The jealousy of the new emperor caused his recall, but he was so greatly esteemed and honoured by the Roman people that Tiberius sent him to conduct the campaign against the Parthians, assigning him a subordinate, Cn. Piso, governor of Syria, whose duty was to spy upon him and thwart his measures. Germanicus, in his journey, aroused further the jealousy of Tiberius by making a visit to Egypt - a thing explicitly forbidden to Romans of high position by Augustus. He returned to Syria, and there died, as was alleged, by poison. It is only fair to add that Tacitus' impartiality on the matter has been much questioned.