Editing Germanicus (section)

==Historiography==
Germanicus and Tiberius are often contrasted by ancient historians and poets who wrote using themes found in [[drama]], with Germanicus playing the [[tragic hero]] and Tiberius the [[tyrant]]. The endurance of the [[Principate]] is challenged in these narratives, by the emperor's jealous trepidation toward competent commanders such as Germanicus. Attention is paid particularly to their leadership styles, i.e., in their relationship with the masses. Germanicus is painted as a competent leader able to handle the masses whereas Tiberius is indecisive and envious.<ref name="Miller">{{harvnb|Miller|Woodman|2010|pp=11–13}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Mehl|2011|p=146}}.</ref>

Despite the poetics attached to Germanicus by ancient authors, it is accepted by historians such as [[Anthony A. Barrett]] that Germanicus was an able general. He fought against the Pannonians under Tiberius, quelled the mutiny in the Rhine, and led three successful campaigns into Germania. As for his popularity, he was popular enough that the mutinous legions of the Rhine attempted to proclaim him emperor in AD 14; however, he remained loyal and led them against the German tribes instead. Tacitus and Suetonius claim that Tiberius was jealous of Germanicus' popularity, but Barrett suggests their claim might be contradicted by the fact that, following his campaigns in Germany, Germanicus was given command of the eastern provinces – a sure sign he was intended to rule. In accordance with the precedent set by Augustus, Agrippa had been given command of those same provinces in the east when Agrippa was the intended successor to the empire.<ref name="Barrett1">{{harvnb|Barrett|1993|pp=19–20}}.</ref>

===Publius Cornelius Tacitus===
[[File:Bronze statue of Germanicus at Amelia April 2016.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Bronze statue of Germanicus on display at [[:it:Museo civico di Amelia|Museo civico di Amelia]], ''[[Amelia, Umbria]]'', Italy]]
{{main|Annals (Tacitus)}}
The ''Annals'' by Tacitus is one of the most detailed accounts of Germanicus' campaigns against the Germans. He wrote his account in the early years of the second century. Tacitus described Germanicus as a fine general who was kind and temperate, saying that his early death had taken a great ruler from Rome.<ref name=Wells42/>

Book 1 of ''Annals'' extensively focuses on the mutinies of the legions in Pannonia and Germany (AD 14). The riotous army figures into the unpredictable wrath of the Roman people giving Tiberius the chance to reflect on what it means to lead. It serves to contrast the "old-fashioned" [[Roman Republic|Republican]] values assigned to Germanicus, and the imperial values possessed by Tiberius. The mood of the masses is a recurring theme, with their reactions to the fortunes of Germanicus being a prominent feature of the relationship between him and Tiberius well into the ''Annals'' (as far as ''Annals'' 3.19).<ref name=Miller/>

===Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus===
[[Suetonius]] was an equestrian who held administrative posts during the reigns of [[Trajan]] and [[Hadrian]]. ''[[The Twelve Caesars]]'' details a biographical history of the Principate from the birth of Julius Caesar to the death of [[Domitian]] in AD&nbsp;96. Like Tacitus, he drew upon the imperial archives, as well as histories by [[Aufidius Bassus]], [[Cluvius Rufus]], [[Fabius Rusticus]] and Augustus' own letters.<ref>{{harvnb|Suetonius|Edwards|2008|p=ii}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Rutledge|2013|p=xxxii}}.</ref>

The attitude of Suetonius toward Germanicus' personality and moral temperament is that of adoration. He dedicates a good portion of his ''Life of Caligula'' to Germanicus, claiming Germanicus' physical and moral excellence surpassed that of his contemporaries. Suetonius also says that Germanicus was a gifted writer, and that despite all these talents, he remained humble and kind.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barret |first1=Anthony |title="Caligula – The Corruption of Power" |date=1989 |publisher=Routledge |page=64}}</ref>