Memory and Forgetting from the Death of Germanicus to the Rise of Sejanus

This chapter focuses on Annals 3, in which Tacitus recounts several episodes that show the pervasiveness of Tiberian Rome’s failure to maintain traditional religious practices. Tiberius prevents changes from being made to the important ritual taboos regulating the conduct of the flamen Dialis, and the Senate discusses placing limitations on the granting of asylum by sanctuaries in the Greek world, but these discussions are conducted in a way that suggests that the principle of religious memory is falling into disuse. At the same time, the use of divine honors to memorialize the deceased Germanicus, and the attempt of the fetialies to become involved in rituals for the health of Livia although that does not fall within the traditional remit of their priesthood, show society’s increasing inability to practice appropriate commemoration.