Bust of the Emperor Tiberius

Marble sculpture from the 16th century
50 x 29 cm x base diameter 18
Sculpture representing the able Emperor Tiberius wearing the tunic, surmounted by the classic senatorial "Toga Candida"
Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus (Rome, 16 November 42 BC - Misenum, 16 March 37) was the second Roman emperor, belonging to the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from 14 to 37, the year of his death.
In his youth Tiberius distinguished himself for his military talent, brilliantly leading numerous campaigns along the northern borders of the Empire and in Illyricum. After a period of voluntary exile on the island of Rhodes, he returned to Rome in 2 he and led further expeditions to Illyricum and Germany, where he remedied the aftermath of the battle of Teutoburg.
Ascended to the throne, he carried out many important reforms in the economic and political fields and put an end to the policy of military expansion, limiting himself to keeping the borders secure, thanks also to the work of his nephew Germanicus Julius Caesar.
After the latter's death, Tiberius increasingly favored the rise of the praetorian prefect Sejanus, moving away from Rome to retire to the island of Capri.
When the prefect showed that he wanted to seize absolute power, Tiberius had him dismissed and killed, but still avoided returning to the capital. Tiberius was harshly criticized by ancient historians, such as Tacitus and Suetonius, but his figure has been re-evaluated by modern historiography as that of a skilful and attentive politician.