Agrippina the Younger Flashcards
Who was Agrippina the Younger’s family lines? Why was this important?
Agrippina the Younger was one of the only true blooded Julio-Claudians. These two families held immense public opinion, power, and influence since Augustus and Livia’s marriage.
What significant events influenced Agrippina.
Born in 15/16 AD in a German military camp, spent later years in other military camps = influence of brutal loyalty and public displays of strength.
She was the youngest of 6 = influence of arrogant superior family.
AD 17 she drove Germanicus’ chariot through Rome to celebrate triumph = knowing that the public adored her father, she would exploit this image.
Death (Assassination) of Germanicus by Tiberius = her family’s ‘rightful’ power was taking away unjustly - she believed that her family was owed power and prestige.
Agrippina grew up “in an appalling atmosphere of malevolence, suspicion, and criminal violence” [Michael Grant]
What were 3 stereotypes that the Ancient Writers depicted Agrippina the Younger as?
> Seducer and Murderer of Claudius
Scheming and dominating mother
An Imperial women who goes inappropriately beyond her aristocratic and motherly duties
Why was Agrippina’s father, Germanicus, favoured and loved by the people?
> Germanicus was the adopted heir of Tiberius.
A proud and loyal Military Commander.
Charismatic and immensely popular with the people and the army.
He was “gifted with the powerful desire and capacity for winning respect and inspiring affection” [Suetonius]
When he ‘died’ (assassinated), his wife Agrippina the Elder, carried his ashes back to Rome and on the journey “the cities of men and women, relatives and strangers blended into a single groan.” [Tacitus]
What did Agrippina the Elder do after her husband’s death?
As a descendant of the ‘divine’ Augustus, Agrippina the Elder had an arrogant pride for her lineage. “I, born of his sacred blood (Augustus) am his incarnation” [Tacitus]. She was then outraged by her Germanicus’ death because it ultimately impacted the family’s legacy and prosperity. Therefore, Agrippina the Elder believed it was her duty to preserve and prosper the lives of her sons through fighting against Tiberius. According to Tacitus, she built up a party of supporters within the public and the army.
How did Tacitus retaliate against Agrippina the Elder, Nero, and Drusus Caesar?
> 29 AD, Agrippina the Elder was arrested and exiled to an island. Beaten by an officer and blinded in one eye. Forced fed to prevent starving herself.
Nero accused of homosexuality. Exiled to an island, eventually committed suicide.
33 AD, Drusus was imprisoned, ate the stuffing of his mattress before he was killed. Agrippina the Elder died in the same year.
During this time, Agrippina the Younger, her sisters, and Gaius, were sent to live with their great-grandmother, Livia - Tacitus claims she still had moderate influence over Tiberius.
What was the purpose of Agrippina’s first marriage?
Agrippina was 13 years old when Tiberius forced her to marry the 30-year-old Domitius Ahenobarbus (who was the grandson of Octavia). As the marriage had no political impacts during the time, it allowed for Tiberius to get her out of the way. However, it also served as protection, as her family was being prosecuted at the time. 9 years into the marriage, when Agrippina was 21, she gave birth to her son. The birth was coincidentally 9 months after the death of Tiberius, suggesting that Agrippina feared Tiberius’ actions if there was a threat/heir to the throne.
What were the basis of Agrippina’s power, influence, and patronage?
> The wealth she acquired through marriage
Family background + status
Honours & Privileges she received
The elimination of rivals & political intrigues under Gaius, Claudius, & Nero
The use of her wealth & Patronage, e.g. her relationships with Seneca and Burrus
What honours did Agrippina receive during the reign of Gaius?
> Sister’s names included in vows of Emperor’s safety and the preamble to consular motions “Good fortune attend the Emperor Gaius and his sisters” [Seutonius] = Gave her equal prestige to the Emperor
Given Vestal Virgin status = associated her with religion.
Seats in Imperial enclosure at Games = Publicly given luxury and thus, a higher status
Inclusion on Coins: representation of the sisters as gods, (Agrippina = Securitas [Security+protection], Drusilla = Concordia [fertility] Livilla = Fortuna [Wealth+luck]
How did Agrippina’s power unravel during towards the end of Gaius’ reign?
39 AD, Gaius took ill, which supposedly affected his mental state. This worsened when his favourite sister, Drusilla, died.
-conspiracy
