DRUSUS, NERO CLAUDIUS (38-9 B.c.), Roman gen eral, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla, stepson of Augustus and younger brother of the emperor Tiberius. In 13 B.C. in conjunction with Tiberius, he subdued the Raeti and Vindelici. The credit of the decisive victory, however, must be assigned to Tiberius. (See Horace, Odes IV. 4 and 14.) In 13 B.C. Drusus was sent as governor to the three Gauls, where dis content had been aroused by the exactions of the Roman governor Licinius. Drusus made a fresh assessment for taxation purposes, and summoned the Gallic representatives to a meeting at Lug dunum to discuss their grievances. It was important to pacify the Gauls, in order to have his hands free to deal with the German tribes, one of which, the Sugambri, on the right bank of the Rhine, had seized the opportunity, during the absence of Augustus, to cross the river 02). Drusus drove them back and pursued them to their own territory, which he devastated. Sail ing down the Rhine, he subdued the Frisii and, in order to facilitate operations against the Chauci, dug a canal (Fossa Drusi ana) leading from the Rhenus (Rhine) to the Isala (Yssel) into the lacus Flevus (Zuider Zee) and the German Ocean. Making his way along the Frisian coast, he conquered the island of Burchanis (Borkum), defeated the Bructeri in a naval engage ment on the Amisia (Ems), and went on to the mouth of the Visurgis to attack the Chauci. On the way back his vessels grounded on the shallows, and were only got off with the assistance of the Frisii.
In his second campaign (1 1), Drusus defeated the Usipetes, threw a bridge over the Luppia (Lippe), attacked the Sugambri and advanced to the Weser, where he defeated the Cherusci. While making his way back he fell into an ambush but managed to defeat his enemy. In view of future operations, he built two forts, one at the junction of the Luppia and Aliso (Aline), the other in the territory of the Chatti on the Taunus, near Mogun tiacum (Mainz).
The third campaign (io) was of little importance; and, after some insignificant successes, Drusus returned to Rome, and was elected consul for the following year.
In 9 B.C. he defeated the Chatti, Suebi, Marcomanni and Cher usci, and penetrated as far as the Albis (Elbe) . Here trophies were set up to mark the farthest point ever reached by a Roman army. To secure the conquered territory, fortresses were erected along the Elbe, Weser and Maas (Meuse, Mosa), a flotilla was placed upon the Rhine, and a dam built upon the right arm of its estuary to increase the flow of water into the canal men tioned above. On his return, his horse threw him, and he died thirty days after the accident (Sept. 14). The body was carried to the winter quarters of the army, whence it was escorted by Tiberius to Rome, the procession being joined by Augustus at Ticinum (Pavia). Tiberius delivered the funeral oration.
Drusus was one of the most distinguished men of his time. His agreeable manners, handsome person and brilliant military talents gained him the affection of the troops, while his liberal principles endeared him to the people. He married Antonia, the daughter of Marcus Antonius the triumvir, by whom he had three children : Germanicus, adopted by Tiberius ; Claudius, afterwards emperor ; and a daughter Livilla.
The chief ancient authorities for the life of Drusus are Dio Cassius, the epitomes of Livy, Suetonius (Claudius), Tacitus (Portions of the Annals), Florus (whose chief source is Livy), Velleius Paterculus and the Consolatio ad Liviam. The German campaigns were described in the last books of Livy and the lost Bella Germaniae of the elder Pliny. They have produced an extensive literature in Germany, J. Asbach's "Die Feldziige des Nero Claudius Drusus" (Rhein. Jahrb. lxxxv. 14-3o) being especially recommended ; see also Mommsen's History of the Roman Provinces, i. ; Merivale, History of the Romans under the Empire, ch. 36 ; A. Stein in Pauly-Wissowa's Realencyclo piidie (1899) , where other authorities are given ; J. C. Tarver, Tiberius the Tyrant (1902) .