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The popularity of Germanicus apparently troubled him and many believe that he had a hand in the suspicious death of his nephew in 19 AD.<ref> Tacitus, <i>Annals</i>, iii</ref> As a result, Tiberius could appoint his own son from his first marriage as his heir. However, Drusus died in 23 AD and after this many believe that Tiberius became even gloomier and began to hate the intrigues that he saw everywhere in Rome. He became even more haughty and he referred to the Senators as ‘men fit to be slaves’. <ref>Tacitus, <i>Annals</i>, iv</ref> In 27 BC Tiberius retired to Capri to his private villa. Some believe that he spent his time in perverse sexual orgies, while others maintain that he spent his days with a few friends discussing philosophy <ref> Suetonius, iii</ref>. In his absence, he appointed Sejanus the Praetorian Guard (the Imperial bodyguard) as head of the Roman administration. Sejanus came to dominate the Roman government and he acted in a tyrannical manner, even having members of the elite murdered on trumped up charges <ref>Tacitus, Annals, iv</ref> He restricted access to the Emperor and Tiberius was unaware of the nature of Sejanus’ rule.
The Praetorians commander was widely believed be having an extramarital affair with the son of Tiberius who died, it was alleged he was poisoned by Sejanus. It seemed that Sejanus plotted to have himself made Emperor and to kill Tiberius. When he heard this the old emperor left Capri and had Sejanus arrested and executed.<ref> Shotter, p. 213</ref> Tiberius appointed Gaius Caeser, the son of Germanicus as his heir. It was widely believed that Caligula had the elderly Tiberius murdered to ensure his own succession. His ashes were interred in the same Mausoleum as Augustus.<ref>Suetonius, iv</ref>
====Administration of the Empire====
