Tiberius Caesar publicly expressed the hope that he would be judged worthy of his
ancestors. Like his nephew Claudius, he was versed in the history of the
aristocracy, and of his own family in particular, and it would be interesting to
know if he had in mind a particular branch, or particular individuals.1 The
models they offered were diverse enough, although by blood he was a Claudian
on both sides. Tiberius’ parents were Ti. Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla,
daughter of a Claudius Pulcher who, having been adopted by M.Livius Drusus,
the tribune of 91 BC, introduced a third line into Tiberius’ ancestry.