Agrippina the Younger: Syllabus Flashcards
1
Q
Agrippina: Geography
A
- Region of Latium (West coast of Italy) → central trading route to Etruria and Campania
- Fertile plains, Mediterranean climate, crossed by rivers
Roman empire:
- Vast area, centering Mediterranean. (North- Europe) (East- Greece, Asia) (South-Egypt, Africa) (West-Spain)
- Major activity: Agricultural production (grapes,olive oil, cereal)
2
Q
Agrippina: Topography
A
- Apennine mountain range→ wood, marble, stone, clay
- River Tiber→ communication and trade mainly by river, access to sea and inland
- Army legions patrol borders to defend against invasion,supervise traffic
3
Q
Agrippina: Resources of Rome
A
- Italy (volcanic region) fertile soil, fine crops
- Rome imports→ beef, grain, timber, oils, wine, glass, marble
- Rome exports→ wine, olive oil, papyrus
Roman empire:
- Trade important→ large amounts of food imported from all over empire
- Grain most important→ Had to feed Rome’s urban masses (didn’t produce enough to be self-sufficient)
- Slave trade (from conquered territories)
- India→ Spices, jewels, perfumes
- Egypt, Africa→ Grain, Ivory, Wild animals
- Britain→ Lead, wool, gold, copper, tin
4
Q
Agrippina: Overview of Roman social and political structures; principate
A
- Class conscious society; clear upper and lower class→ limited means to improve class
- More lower than upper class→ keep content “bread and circuses”; food handouts, entertainment
- Principate→ system in Rome; originally monarchy but revolt turned to republic
- JC was dictator (made enemies; assassinated) Battle of Actium (31 BC) → contest for O or MA rule
- Octavian victor→ undisputed control of Roman empire→ position to remodel political affairs
- No real blueprint for govt→ principate evolved slowly
- No way would he restore ‘real’ power to Senate, but didn’t want to alienate Senate like Caesar→ wanted to be seen sharing power, respecting traditional republican forms
“I transferred the state from my own power to the control of the Roman state and people.” RES GES
5
Q
Agrippina: Overview of Roman social and political structures; principate (SETTLEMENTS)
A
Settlement of 27 BC
- Proconsular imperium for 10 years (control of most of legions) Senate to run other provinces
- Nominated as consul every year to 23 BC
- Gained Egypt after Actium→ controlled wealth, grain
Settlement of 23 BC
- “Tribunician authority” for life(pass laws in assemblies, summon senate, veto laws, propose new ones)
- Given consular imperium for life
- Took on ‘censorial powers’ (supervise membership of senate)
- Most of Rome→ happy to have peace with him
- Able to nominate successor→ adopted son Tiberius
- Mid AD 40’s→ Principate became hereditary monarchy (family connections important)
- ATY main goal→ have Nero become princeps
6
Q
Agrippina: Role of imperial women in Roman society
A
- Royal family→ women raised in palace
- No political power (Patriarchal society) Imperial women had some influence; cultivate male allies, develop clientele.
- Determining succession→ having son, opportunity for power and influence, occupation→ maneuvering son into power
- Women were useful (establishing political alliances) marriage used for political/dynastic purposes
“Betrothals were broken or divorces dictated when alliances between men became animosities.” POMEROY
- Females expected to be modest, marry young, large families, behave with dignity
- Some owned businesses,able to inherit and hand on property without male permission
- Imperial women meant to be educated. Daughters educated in traditional skills (weaving, spinning)
- Role of women→ “To mind the house and watch over the children.” TACITUS
Objectives of Augustus in area of moral improvement:
- Reverse upper classes voiding marriage, rejecting duty to have children
- Reduce widespread adultery in noble classes
- Reduce growing divorce rate
- Limit lavish lifestyle of upper class
- Passed law preventing men having affairs with respectable women (could have sex with slaves, prostitutes→ some senators wives registered as actresses, prostitutes etc)
- Minimum age for marriage (Girls=12) (Boys=14)
7
Q
Agrippina: Family background and status
A
- Great granddaughter of Augustus (Julio) Great granddaughter of Livia- Aug 3rd wife (Claudian)
“Agrippina’s exceptionally illustrious birth is indisputable.” TACITUS, ANNALS
- Father was beloved germanicus, brother would become - Emperor Gaius (Caligula), Uncle (and later husband) would become Emperor Claudius,son would become Emperor Nero
“Her pedigree was impeccable.” S. PEROWNE
- Well aware of value of her bloodlines→ later emphasises dynastic connections
“Agrippina…would make much of her Julian descent, a descent that came through the bloodline and was not conferred merely through adoption.” BARRETT
- Inherited status from well-connected parents;
- Germanicus successful political, military career (fought in Germany, consul in AD 12)
- “True, Renaissance man.” SUETONIUS
- ATE; active military role→ All 9 children born in military camps
- Germanicus managed to suppress serious mutiny in Germany→ made popular with legions
8
Q
Agrippina: Early life, ambitions and marriages
A
- Born November 15AD (Modern day Cologne)
- Early moths spent in Germany, came to live in Rome approx 16 AD. Germanicus viewed as hero
“The triumph of Germanicus…was a memory that his daughter would exploit to the full.” BARRETT
- AD 17→ Germanicus sent by Tiberius to east (Ag remained in Rome) Fell ill and died in AD 19; convinced he had been poisoned→ stated Piso (new legate of Syria) and wife conspired to murder him
- Rome; widespread grief. Tacitus didn’t attend ceremonies celebrating him→ fueled suspicion of murder, didn’t make him popular
- Eventually Tiberius has Piso and Plancina brought to trial→ both accused of murder (took own life)
- Progress towards Rome by ATE slow and deliberate→ procession reached Tarrancia, joined by Ag and Claudius; - Barrett; suggests reunion would have been potent, vivid childhood memory for Ag
- Following decade→ Destruction of family; Older sons (Nero, Drusus) prepared for high office→ Tiberius complained to Senate it was too quick.
- ATE; arrogant, obsessed with power, convinced her lineage made her special→ in danger from Tiberius and Sejanus (right hand man and Praetorian guard prefect)
- To protect her sons→ gathered group of powerful aristocratic friends around her. Claims she was forming party “Partes Agrippinae.” If so; “It was the 1st specific political movement formed by a woman.” BAUMANN
- Sejanus had them imprisoned on false charges (AD 29) All died AD 33
“Mother and son were left to starve in their separate places of imprisonment…she must have been the single most important influence on her daughter and namesake.” M.T.GRIFFIN
9
Q
Agrippina: Marriage 1
A
- Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus
- After dad dead; required by law to come under tutelage of guardian (role; arrange suitable marriage)
- Guardian was Emperor Tiberius→ 28 AD arranged marriage (Ag around 13)
- Ahenobarbus was descendent of wealthy family and of MA (had married Octavia)
- 37 AD→ Gave birth to son Nero and became the Emperor’s sister (ascension of Gaius)
- 39 AD→ Ahenobarbus died
“It is interesting to note that they thought it best not to have children while Tiberius was still alive.” T. WEIDEMANN
10
Q
Agrippina: Marriage 2
A
- Sallustius Passienus Crispus
- Wealthy, consular rank (but not as well connected as Ahenobarbus)
- Marriage saved her from intrigues of Messalina
- 47 AD→ Crispus died (left her very wealthy)
“Agrippina, remembering the weakness of her mother’s position after the death of Germanicus, set out to find a husband.” GRIFFIN
11
Q
Agrippina: Marriage 3
A
- Claudius
- According to sources (Ag very beautiful) Claudius a womaniser
- Freemen competed to choose a wide for him, he needed companion
“Was in the habit of consulting him constantly…and in fact she was rather more familiar in her conduct towards him than became a niece.” CASSIUS DIO
12
Q
Agrippina: Basis of her power and influence; patronage
A
- Marriages (all well-connected) underlined significance of her family background, status and made her wealthy
- Birth of child→ New status as a mother (Matronly virtue; important criteria of acceptance in society)
- Even more significant→ Her child was possible heir to Julio- Claudian dynasty
- Aware of importance of furthering prospects of her son→ vested political interest in dynasty beyond her own survival and personal advancement
- Own family’s fortunes→ taught her that position and status wasn’t enough→ needed to surround herself with powerful, influential people to support her cause.
- Learnt from ATE who had built strong network of friends/patrons to help support her and her children’s future
- Ag used influence and her observance of human nature to cultivate,bend people to her will (husbands, senators,freedmen, Nero- for a while)
“She was no paragon of female virtue..she was prepared, if necessary, to wade through slaughter to a throne.” SALMON
13
Q
Agrippina: Role during the reign of Gaius (Caligula), including exile
A
- 37 AD; Tiberius died→ Gaius (Caligula) now emperor
- First acts: Bring 3 sisters into prominent position
- Made vestal virgins
- Included in annual vows for emperors safety and vows of allegiance
- Included in preamble to proposals submitted to Senate
- Issued on coin (never before sisters of emperor on coin)
- Hints of incest (especially Drusilla) “Without a compatible wife, it might be expected that Caligula would have looked for affection from his three sisters.” BARRETT
- 39 AD; Ahenobarbus dead. Ag and Livillia convicted of committing adultery with Lepidus (Drusilla’s former husband). Forced to carry ashes and scatter→ Banished to Pontian Islands
- 41 AD; Gaius died and exile ended→ Uncle Claudius now emperor; sisters recalled to Rome
- After exile→ married Crispus (saved from intrigues of Messalina)
- Ascension of Claudius; turning point in Ag’s career; Sharpened political skills and focused on promoting own position and Nero’s succession
- Mess wielded power→ used position to dispose of suspected rivals; threats to children
- Downfall of Mess→ Public marriage to Gaius Silius. Motives? Maybe feared Ag’s power and popularity of Nero (got more applause at games than Britannicus)
- Silius saw opportunity to make himself master of Rome (senate hostile to Claudius) Promised Mess her position would remain intact, Britannicus would be emperor.
- Narcissus→ told Claudius of plot against him→ Praetorian guard killed her
“Had gone so far as to commit bigamy…so Claudius executed her.” SUETONIUS - Ag took advantage of downfall; married Claudius. Incestuous; Claudius granted special dispensation
14
Q
Agrippina: Role during the reign of Claudius
A
- 49 AD; Married and Ag pursued objectives; (wanted Nero to succeed as emperor) (Achieve major share of political power)
“Agrippina used her influence over Claudius not only to consolidate Nero’s claims, but also to enhance her own position.” BAUMAN
PROMOTION OF NERO - Got Claudius’ daughter Octavia betrothal cancelled and Nero now engaged to her (AD 50) Nero adopted by Claudius→ Octavia ‘adopted out’ so they could marry
- Nero given precedence over Britannicus in succession (Ag tried to isolate Britannicus; removed tutors and replaced with her own loyal men)
- 53 AD; Oct and Nero marry→ now lined up to take over from Claudius
- Prepared policies in advance; ensured had friends in right places (powerful position for herself)
- Remove rivals and recall supporters (Seneca brought from exile; became Nero’s tutor)
- Lollia Paulina (one of Claudius’s choices for marriage) accused of astrology and forced to suicide
- Removed prefects from Praetorian guard and replaced with own men (influence over guard)
GIVEN HONOURS - Title “Augusta” (first living consort of living emperor)
- Colony named after her
- Allowed to meet foreign dignitaries
- Frequently appeared on coins
- Sources suggest she murdered Claudius (Perhaps he had become aware of schemes and regretted making Nero heir; reconciled with Brittanius)
15
Q
Agrippina: Role and changing relationship with Nero during his reign
A
- 54 AD; Nero became emperor
- Early reign; Ag wield power and influence; given honours and allowed to travel in covered carpentum (Featured heavily on coins also)
- Had actual power as well as symbolic; removed opponents and threats
- 54 AD; Ag attended senate and listened behind curtain
“At first Agrippina managed for him all the business of the empire…” CASSIUS DIO - Began to lose power; Armenian delegation (entered room and intended ascending stairs to sit next to Nero→ would have seen them as equals) Nero descended to greet her (avoid scandal)
- Ag feared losing; threatened to make Britannicus legitimate heir to throne (Nero poisoned him)
- Developed passion for Acte (freedwoman) → more Ag complained; more Nero’s passion grew
- Ag changed tactic→ offered him her bed; couldn’t consummate; would have given her too much power (Took mistress in same image as mother instead)
“Agrippina’s loss of influence is illustrated by the disappearance of her portrait from the coinage.” WEIDEMANN
