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| This is one of THE classic scenes of the series, the Pulman drama machine cranks into overdrive. Sadly there is no evidence in Graves or the ancient sources for this domestic row. The ancient sources are full of references to Tiberius' disgust for Julia (Suet.Tib 7 &10, Dio 55.7). Graves notches this up a bit, by having Julia (spanish-fly no less) be unsatiably needy for affection. When Tiberius' flame remains unkindled, Graves has her seek out "gallants" to give her what her husband withheld (p.73). In Graves (p.75-6), when Tiberius has exhausted every means to convince Augustus to let him leave, he turns to Julia. Tiberius suggests to Julia that she accuse him of spousal abuse to Augustus, surely then he'll be granted exile if not divorce. So, out of spite, she goes drama queen on dad and invents the whole scenario. So Graves' fictitious account of an "innocent" Tiberius wanting out of his marriage so badly that he would allow himself to be falsely accused of battery is Pulman's inspiration for this scene. | |||||