Drusus, the son of Livia, died from injuries sustained in a fall from his horse.
Drusus Julius Caesar, also known as Drusus the Younger, was the only child of Roman Empress Livia Drusilla from her marriage to her second husband, the Roman Emperor Tiberius. His full name at birth was Nero Claudius Drusus, but he is often referred to simply as Drusus to distinguish him from his famous uncle, Drusus the Elder, who was also a prominent military commander and the younger brother of Tiberius.
Drusus was being groomed as a successor to his father, Tiberius, and was a prominent figure in Roman politics. He held various positions and was granted the tribunician power, which was a significant step towards becoming a future emperor. However, his life was cut short in 23 AD when he sustained severe injuries after falling from his horse during a game. The accident occurred while he was playing a game of decursio, a mock cavalry battle, which was a part of Roman military training exercises.
After the fall, Drusus initially survived but succumbed to his injuries a month later, reportedly due to a gangrenous infection in his leg. His death was a significant blow to the imperial family and altered the line of succession. There were also rumors and speculations of foul play, with some ancient sources suggesting that he might have been poisoned by his political rivals, including Sejanus, the commander of the Praetorian Guard, who had his own ambitions for power. However, these allegations remain unproven, and the exact circumstances of his death are still a matter of historical debate.
