8Tiberius

Despite the alcoholic and sexual excesses of his twilight years, Tiberius reached the oldest age of any Roman emperor. He could have made it beyond his 78th year too, had it not been for the treacherous intentions of his nephew Caligula and the murderous intervention of his praetorian guard, Macro.

There were celebrations in the streets after the death of Tiberius. Some people ran around shouting, “Into the Tiber with Tiberius!” Others prayed that Tiberius would find no rest in the underworld. It was even suggested that his body should be pierced with hooks and dragged down the Gemonian Stairs.