What is Sejanus?
{{Infobox Military Person |name= Lucius Aelius Sejanus |lived=20 BC – 31 |placeofbirth= Volsinii, [[Etruria]] |placeofdeath= [[Rome]] |image= Sejanus Tiberius As.jpg |image_size=250px |caption= Roman ''As'' depicting Tiberius, struck in 31. The reverse reads ''Augusta Bilbilis Ti(berius) Caesare L(ucius) Aelio Seiano'', marking the consulship of Sejanus in that year. |allegiance= [[Roman Empire]] |serviceyears= 14 AD – 31 |rank= [[Praetorian Prefect]] |unit= |commands= [[Praetorian Guard]] |battles= |relations= |laterwork= [[Roman consul|Consul]] of the Roman Empire in 31 }} '''Sejanus''' ('''Lucius Aelius Seianus''' 20 BC – October 18, AD 31), was an ambitious soldier, friend and confidant of the [[Roman Emperor]] [[Tiberius]]. An [[Equestrian (Roman)|equestrian]] by birth,<ref>Equestrians (~ knights) were the second class of Roman citizens, below the [[Patrician]]s, but above the plebeians (the common people).</ref> Sejanus rose to power as [[Praetorian Prefect]]. He commanded the Roman imperial [[bodyguard]], the [[Praetorian Guard]], from AD 14 until his death in 31. After the Praetorian Guard was established under [[Augustus]], Sejanus introduced reforms which saw the unit go from a mere bodyguard to an influential branch of the government. It controlled public [[security]], and influenced civil [[administration]]. Most important of all, it influenced the succession of emperors: all needed the goodwill and support of the Guard. These changes would have a lasting impact on the Empire. During the 20s, Sejanus gradually accumulated power by influencing Tiberius and eliminating potential political opponents, including the emperor's son, Drusus. When Tiberius withdrew to [[Capri]] in 26, Sejanus was left in control of the entire state mechanism as ''[[de facto]]'' ruler of the empire. For a time the most influential and feared citizen of Rome, Sejanus suddenly fell from power in 31, the year his career culminated with the [[Roman consul|consulship]]. Amidst suspicions of conspiracy against Tiberius, Sejanus was