She was born into the Imperial Family; her parents were Germanicus named heir to the title of



Yüklə 460 b.
tarix05.12.2017
ölçüsü460 b.
#14060



She was born into the Imperial Family; her parents were Germanicus (named heir to the title of Princeps) and Agrippina the Elder (the granddaughter of Augustus).

  • She was born into the Imperial Family; her parents were Germanicus (named heir to the title of Princeps) and Agrippina the Elder (the granddaughter of Augustus).

  • She was the eldest daughter of 6 surviving children; her brothers were Nero, Drusus and Gaius Caligula and her sisters were Drusilla and Julia Livilla.





Germanicus – dies of illness in AD19 in Antioch.

  • Germanicus – dies of illness in AD19 in Antioch.

  • Agrippina I, Nero and Drusus exiled under the order of Sejanus. All 3 die in exile.

  • Sejanus was head of the Praetorian Guard and was relied on by Tiberius during his retirement to Capri.



Gaius becomes emperor in AD37 and is assassinated in AD41.

  • Gaius becomes emperor in AD37 and is assassinated in AD41.

  • His rule was erratic and Agrippina was reportedly involved with Livilla and Lepidus (Drusilla’s husband) of plotting to overthrow him.



Drusilla dies in AD38 of a fever.

  • Drusilla dies in AD38 of a fever.

  • Julia Livilla executed by Claudius no later than AD42 after being accused (though not proven) of adultery with Seneca by Messalina (Claudius’ wife).



The Marriages

  • The Marriages



Her first marriage was to Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus in AD28.

  • Her first marriage was to Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus in AD28.

  • This was arranged by Tiberius as was the standard practice in Rome.

  • He was consul in AD32 and was related to Augustus through his mother Antonia Major.

  • He died while she was in exile.



He gave her status as a married woman.

  • He gave her status as a married woman.

  • He was friendly with Tiberius and therefore she was ‘protected’ by the intrigues of Sejanus who had effectively removed her mother and 2 elder brothers.

  • Ahenobarbus was by all accounts a ‘man utterly detestable’ (Tacitus) – therefore was the marriage a ‘punishment’?

  • It gave her a son – Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus (later called Nero) who was born 9 months after the death of Tiberius.

  • Was this a coincidence? If not what does it tell us about her?



She set her sights on the prominent Servius Sulpicius Galba, who later became Emperor after Nero. However she was publically slapped by his mother as he was grieving for his very recently deceased wife.

  • She set her sights on the prominent Servius Sulpicius Galba, who later became Emperor after Nero. However she was publically slapped by his mother as he was grieving for his very recently deceased wife.

  • She married the wealthy Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus who had been consul in 27 and again in 44.

  • He had formerly been the husband of a sister of Domitius Ahenobarbus and so was her brother-in-law. Passienus died sometime before 47.



It her from Messalina (wife of Claudius) who saw her as a threat because:

  • It her from Messalina (wife of Claudius) who saw her as a threat because:

  • It provided her with:

    • Legitimacy as a Roman matron
    • Stability for herself and Nero (he had to grow up!)
    • Incredible wealth as she inherited it all when he died
    • Leadbetter argues that Crispus was the son of Livia’s confidante – a ‘keeper of secrets’ – and therefore she may have had access to some of this information about prominent Romans.


She married her uncle Claudius in AD49 after the execution of Messalina.

  • She married her uncle Claudius in AD49 after the execution of Messalina.

  • There were reportedly 3 rivals to be his wife. Pallas, the financial secretary was supposedly her lover and supported her claim.

  • Tacitus says she was able to ‘arouse his passions’ as she had a niece's ‘privilege of kissing him’. But there is no criticism of Claudius!!



Did she seduce him into marrying her?

  • Did she seduce him into marrying her?

  • Did she have to?

  • Most sources will say she did as they liked to believe:

    • Claudius was stupid
    • She was a manipulative woman who’d do anything to gain power BUT…
  • Leadbetter argues against this (as does Robert Graves interestingly) where he believes that Claudius had to marry her.



The ‘marriage’ of Messalina to Gaius Silius (the consul-elect) was not just a personal betrayal – it was also a politically dangerous time for Claudius as Silius was young, virile, popular – all things Claudius was not.

    • The ‘marriage’ of Messalina to Gaius Silius (the consul-elect) was not just a personal betrayal – it was also a politically dangerous time for Claudius as Silius was young, virile, popular – all things Claudius was not.
    • Therefore he needed to make a political marriage that would make his position as unassailable. Marriage to Agrippina II would do this.
  • How?

    • She was very popular with the army in her own right (examine later actions as evidence of this).
    • She brought the Julian (and Augustan) line with her, Claudius was not descended from Augustus.
    • She brought Nero with her – a much more suitable candidate as heir than Brittanicus.
    • She was too dangerous to leave for someone else to marry.
  • What do you think?



It gave her the ultimate position for a woman in Imperial Rome – the wife of an Emperor (compare this with Livia as the only other wife and mother of an Emperor).

  • It gave her the ultimate position for a woman in Imperial Rome – the wife of an Emperor (compare this with Livia as the only other wife and mother of an Emperor).

  • It helped her to promote Nero’s position and claim to the principate.

  • She received many honours including:

    • She wore a military cloak at official state functions,
    • Greeted foreign embassies in the capacity of full imperial authority
    • Founded and had a colony named after her where she was born
    • Appeared prominently on coinage
    • Given the title ‘Augusta’ – the first living woman to get this
    • Had her dictations recorded in official government documentation.
    • Had Nero formally adopted by Claudius and engaged to his daughter Octavia.
    • Had Seneca recalled (became Nero’s Tutor) and made Burrus sole prefect of the Praetorian Guard.
  • In essence she ‘co-ruled’ Rome with Claudius.



This relief clearly shows the equity with which the provinces saw Claudius and Agrippina – note the equal height! (I think she’s a bit taller...).

  • This relief clearly shows the equity with which the provinces saw Claudius and Agrippina – note the equal height! (I think she’s a bit taller...).

  • Also notice the cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) that Agrippina is holding in her left hand and which represents the prosperity of the Roman Empire.



Her Life Under The Emperors

  • Her Life Under The Emperors



Essentially her life is quiet although she would have been aware of the accusations of her mother towards Tiberius.

  • Essentially her life is quiet although she would have been aware of the accusations of her mother towards Tiberius.

  • She was married at the age of 13 to Gaius Domitius Ahenobarbus which effectively ‘protected her’ from Tiberius.

  • But was she really in any danger from him?

  • What do you think she would have learnt from her mother’s behaviour and ultimate fate?





This coin was minted and distributed at the accession of Gaius.

  • This coin was minted and distributed at the accession of Gaius.

  • The 3 sisters are represented as – Securitas (security), Concordia (unity, agreement) and Fortuna (possessing divine favour is the closest translation).

  • These qualities Gaius wanted associated with himself and his principate.

  • The coin was a piece of propaganda spread deliberately by Gaius that used his sisters.



Agrippina with her younger sisters received various honours from their brother:

  • Agrippina with her younger sisters received various honours from their brother:

    • They were given the rights of the Vestal Virgins such as the freedom to view public games from the imperial seats in the stadium.
    • Issuing of coins depicting images of Caligula and his sisters. Roman coins like these were never issued before.
    • Caligula added his sister's names in all loyalty oaths in the following terms: ‘I will not value my life or that of my children less highly than I do the safety of the Emperor and his sisters’ and in consular motions: ‘Good fortune attend to the Emperor and his sisters’.


After Gaius’ illness and Drusilla’s death in AD38, he appeared to become increasingly erratic and even manic.

  • After Gaius’ illness and Drusilla’s death in AD38, he appeared to become increasingly erratic and even manic.

  • Leadbetter claims that Agrippina, along with Drusilla’s husband Lepidus and Livilla were involved in a plot to overthrow Gaius and replace him with Lepidus.

  • If true, this shows a deliberate attempt from within the ruling dynasty to rectify an embarrassing mistake. Gaetulicus, the commander of Upper Germany was the mastermind who was supposed to replace Gaius with Lepidus. When the plot was discovered, he was put to death as was Lepidus.

  • When she is forced by Gaius to return to Rome carrying the ashes of Lepidus it is the ultimate mockery of her mother’s actions in AD19. This is a deliberate humiliation as a sign of her defeat by Gaius. However she remained defiant and both sisters are exiled (recalled by Claudius).

  • Nero lives with his paternal aunt Domitia Lepida (who is also the mother of Messalina).



The reasons for the marriage have already been discussed as has the honours she received.

  • The reasons for the marriage have already been discussed as has the honours she received.

  • Lets look at what the coinage tells us:

  • Below a golden aureas and a silver denarius



Gold coin minted AD50-54?

  • Gold coin minted AD50-54?

  • What do they tell us?



One of the first coins struck by Nero upon his accession as emperor. The inscription reads “Agrippina Augusta, wife of the Divine Claudius, mother of Nero Caesar”. Nero's inscription appears only on the reverse of the coin around an oak wreath.

  • One of the first coins struck by Nero upon his accession as emperor. The inscription reads “Agrippina Augusta, wife of the Divine Claudius, mother of Nero Caesar”. Nero's inscription appears only on the reverse of the coin around an oak wreath.

  • Aureas of Nero and Agrippina II AD55



The third precious metal coinage of Nero as emperor. The inscription reads “Nero, son of the Divine Claudius, Imperator, holder of Tribunician power, consul”.

  • The third precious metal coinage of Nero as emperor. The inscription reads “Nero, son of the Divine Claudius, Imperator, holder of Tribunician power, consul”.

    • How has Agrippina’s position changed?
    • What does this indicate about their relationship?


What does this statue mean?

  • What does this statue mean?



While she enjoyed a brief period of stability and ‘rule’ under Nero within a year she had been replaced by Seneca and Burrus as Nero’s chief advisors.

  • While she enjoyed a brief period of stability and ‘rule’ under Nero within a year she had been replaced by Seneca and Burrus as Nero’s chief advisors.

  • Why did he decide to kill her?

    • His relationships with Acte & Poppaea
    • The encouragement of Seneca & Burrus
    • Her continued popularity
    • Her support of Octavia & Brittanicus
    • The perceived threat of her remarriage.
  • In the end Nero could neither live with her nor without her.



Yüklə 460 b.

Dostları ilə paylaş:




Verilənlər bazası müəlliflik hüququ ilə müdafiə olunur ©genderi.org 2024
rəhbərliyinə müraciət

    Ana səhifə