Augustus, Tiberius, and the Prediction of the Accession of Galba

Abstract: Suetonius records that Augustus had predicted to the child Galba that he would taste imperial power, while Tacitus and Dio attribute a similar address to Tiberius. In this article I argue that Augustus addressed Galba as Suetonius claims, but that he did not intend his words to be understood in the way that they were, as a prediction that Galba would rise to the throne. I also argue that Tiberius was quoting Augustus when he addressed Galba in similar fashion, and that he did so to signify his belief that he had fulfilled the alleged ominous significance of Augustus’ words to him by his recent promotion of him.