TIBERIUS, CLAUDIUS NERO

TIBERIUS, CLAU'DIUS NERO (full title), Luke 3:1, was the step-son and successor of Augustus, Luke 2:1, and, though with some apparent virtues, was one of the most infamous tyrants that ever scourged the empire of Rome. All the events of Christ's manhood took place during this reign. He began well, but quickly "degenerated into a gloomy despot." Madness was probably the excuse for his cruelties. He began his reign a.d. 14, reigned during the eventful period of the succeeding twenty-three years, and was finally murdered by suffocation.