Velleius Paterculus’ judgement of Augustus and of the early years of Tiberius’ reign was deeply influenced by his standpoint on Tiberius and the circumstances of his succession. But it is clear that the historian could lay aside his prejudice while writing the biography of Augustus and estimate the most important persons (Marcellus, Agrippina, Caius and Iulius Caesar) who played an important role at the death of Augustus and were rivals of Tiberius relatively unbiased
