In the context of The Death of Germanicus, discuss the Subject of the Description.
Poussin is probably the first painter to examine this subject. This episode in the history of ancient Rome is taken from the Annals of Tacitus. It describes the military successes of the Roman general Germanicus, elder brother of Claudius, in the service of the Emperor Tiberius, especially against the Germans, which earned him his nickname. He was sent to fight in Syria, but there was opposition from Governor Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso. He died suddenly on the spot, in Antioch, accusing Piso of having poisoned him on the orders of Tiberius. He made his wife Agrippina the Elder and the rest of his family swear to avenge his death, enjoying great popularity among the Roman people. Poussin undoubtedly learned of Tacitus' text through an Italian translation, which was numerous at the time in Rome.
Antioch Tacitus Germanicus Tiberius Rome Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso Agrippina the Elder Claudius Syria Roman general Annals