Germanicus

Born to Drusus and Antonia, adopted by Tiberius at Augustus' will, I was set in the succession yet schooled to obey. I took Agrippina as wife; our house was full of children. From youth I learned that lineage is less than duty.

When Augustus died and the Rhine legions mutinied, I went into their camps unarmed. I heard their grievances, punished ringleaders, promised redress, and bound them again to Tiberius. In those same camps my little son Gaius wore caligae; the soldiers called him Caligula.

Across the Rhine I sought not trophies but measure. At the Teutoburg ground I gathered the bones of Varus' men and gave them rites. Then I struck Arminius - Idistaviso, the Angrivarian Wall - took prisoners, recovered eagles, and suffered a storm that shattered our fleet. We brought back honor and survivors alike.

Recalled, I rode in triumph through Rome. Then the East was given to me: Armenia settled with Zeno as Artaxias III, provinces set in order. I went to Egypt to open granaries and see its governance; for that, a letter of rebuke. In Antioch I sickened and died. I named Piso my enemy; others weighed poison and rumor. What end is certain is this: Rome mourned, and my wife bore my memory home.