SP1D: REFORMS AND
POLICIES OF THE JULIOCLAUDIAN RULERS
The Julio-Claudians
Tiberius
Area of Reform
Changes made
Political
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Had one commander of the Guard, concentrating the Praetorian Guard (PG) into one new
barrack
Discharged corrupt officials in disgrace – imposed harsh penalties
Paid donatives to the troops
Maiestas rose after Sejanus (and death of mother Livia), as well as the triviality of the cases.
All public business conducted in the Senate
Social
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Overall there was very little opposition to Tiberius as Princeps
DID NOT put on lavish games or gladiatorial battles
Maintained law and order through the appointment of a city prefect.
Legal
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Kept the efficient governors in office for long periods
Transferred back to the Senate the right to elect magistrates.
Religious
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Abolished foreign cults – including Egyptian
Did not encourage the worship of himself in the provinces
Administrative
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Limited expenses – but did give generously to the provinces
Developed a new road system in Spain and Gaul
Keen to promote effective government in the provinces, generally appointing good
governors
Maintained strict discipline of the troops in the provinces
Improved the services for the provinces
Good financial policies, despite Tacitus’ criticisms as tight-fisted
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Gaius (Caligula)
Area of Reform
Changes made
Political
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Social
 Renewed gladiatorial spectacles
 Large and frequent donatives to the public
 Put on extravagant spectacles – a number of theatrical shows
Legal
 Abolished the sales tax
Religious
 Deified himself
 Demanded that the Jews erect a statute of him in their temple.
 Anti-Semitic – caused many problems in the provinces with this attitude.
Administrative
 Renewed maiestas and Increased the taxes to pay for extravagances
 Built some aqueducts in Ostia
 Completed half-finished projects of Tiberius’
Recalled exiles
Erratic policies in general, little policy-making as not interested
Disliked and distrusted governors
Emptied the prisons of the those accused on treason under Tiberius, and
burnt the records (this changed later on)
Claudius
Area of
Reform
Changes made
Political
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Added the Gaul provinces to the Senate
Extended the imperial bureaucracy, and improved the administration creating separate depts.
Great interest in judicial matters – introduced new legislation such as unruly behaviour in the
theatre and disclaiming sick slaves by masters.
Social
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Celebrated the Secular Games in 47AD – religious celebration involving sacrifices and
theatrical performances.
Legal
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Passed just and humane laws
Religious
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He made an attempt to follow Augustus' policy to restore some of the old religions.
Restored aspects of state religion
Outlawed the Druid religion in Gaul
Administrative
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Empire underwent its first major expansion since Augustus – including invasion of Britain
Initiated public works such as the harbour at Ostia, completed two aqueducts and restored
another into Rome
Extended citizenship to individuals and communities
Tried to resolve the problems between the Greeks and the Jews in Alexandria
Built numerous roads in Italy – improving transportation between Rome and the provinces
Policy of expansion and assimilation
Imperial future lay in efficiency and strove for this in his reign
Concentrated imperial finances in hands of emperor – supervised by financial secretary Pallas
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Nero
Area of Reform
Changes made
Political
 Most changes were made to favour the poorer classes, at the expense of the
rich. Suetonius criticised him for being obsessed with desire to be popular.
 According to Tacitus, at the outset Nero promised the Senate more
autonomy.
Social
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Legal
 Allowed slaves to take action against their masters
Religious
 Had a statue of him as the Sun god set up in the Golden Palace.
Administrative
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Abolished capital punishment – later reinstated
Encouraged the arts and all forms of music and drama especially GREEK
Wanted to introduce the Greek games
Worked to protect the rights of the poorer classes – restricted the amount
for bail and fines (Tacitus)
 Established the Quinquennial Neronia (Greek style festival)
Not very effective – easily influenced by Seneca, Burrus and Agrippina II
Little interest in the provinces, except for Greece
Hands-off approach to running the empire
64AD Rome fire. To reconstruct the city, enacted a public relief effort, heavily
taxing the wealthy land owners in the provinces.
Thinking it through

In your own words answer the following
questions...
 Under
which Julio-Claudian ruler was there the MOST
significant change? Explain the reasons for your view.
 Compare
the administration of the empire during the
principates of Tiberius and Gaius (Caligula). (2008 HSC)
 Assess
the reforms and policies of ONE Julio-Claudian
ruler. (2006 HSC)