Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus (15 BC - 19 AD) is an immensely popular and distinguished Roman general, known for his successful campaigns in Germany; if not for his premature death, would have become emperor. Tacitus portrayed him as a champion of republican principles as opposed to emperor Tiberius whom was depicted as an autocratic villain. Germanicus famously avenged the Roman Empire's defeat in the Teutoburg Forest and retrieved two of the three legionary eagles that had been lost. While in command of the eastern provinces, Germanicus came into conflict with Piso, the governor of Syria. Germanicus died, convinced that Piso had poisoned him. Germanicus and his wife Agrippina had nine children including emperor Caligula and Julia Agrippina the mother of emperor Nero. Emperor Claudius I was Germanicus' brother.