From Germanicus to Corbulo: The Evolution of Generalship under the Principate in Tacitus' Annales

Abstract

Tacitus’ Annales present a comprehensive account of the formative early years of the Roman principate. Though the effects of the change from republic to principate are most frequently made evident through Tacitus’ portrayal of politics in the city of Rome itself, his illustration of the change of the military’s role under the principate also demonstrates these effects. The biggest effect that this transition had on the military, as portrayed by Tacitus, is the dramatic difference in the way that generals had to conduct themselves – he exemplifies this change through his descriptions of Germanicus Caesar and Domitius Corbulo. Germanicus, serving in the early days of the principate, conducts his campaigns in a style similar to those conducted during the republic. Though he is described by the narrator as realizing that his actions needed to be changed in order to combat Tiberius’ growing jealousy toward his success, Germanicus loses his life because of Tiberius’ jealous attitude. The Roman people, realizing this, are characterized as developing a fear of the vengeful jealousy of the princeps that extends beyond Tiberius’ principate into those of his successors. The one exception to the prevailing hesitant attitude of generals that arises from this realization is Corbulo. What the narrator seems to imply about Corbulo is that he has learned that the way to succeed under the principate is to temper victories on the battlefield with successful acts of diplomacy. This discovery is described as Corbulo’s method of maintaining a successful military career under the principate.