14 AD

14 is a year in the first century CE, in the Julian calendar. It marked the end of the reign of Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, and the year in which Tiberius succeeded to power. For this reason it is considered one of the most significant political transitions in Roman history.

The numbering system used to denote this year was not in use at the time. It was developed by the ecclesiastic Dionysius Exiguus centuries later and then gradually adopted across Europe. The Romans numbered their years by the names of consuls or by counting from the founding of the city of Rome.

Death of Augustus

Augustus died in August of this year while residing in Nola in southern Italy. His reign lasted more than forty years, following his victory in the civil wars. After his death, the Roman Senate added him to the list of state-worshipped gods, a practice that later became customary for emperors.

Succession of Tiberius

Tiberius, Augustus's adopted son and stepson, was granted the principal powers: command of the armies and tribunician power. Historical sources, particularly Tacitus, report that Tiberius delayed accepting the position, with the Senate pressing him to do so. This suggests that imperial power was not formally defined by law but rather transmitted through custom.

Military unrest

In the same year, Roman troops stationed on the Rhine frontier and in Pannonia demanded higher pay and shorter terms of service. Germanicus, commander of the German provinces, and Drusus, the son of Tiberius, were sent to restore order. The unrest demonstrated that the stability of the succession of power depended on military consent.