Ambition: Learnt from mother her family was to rule the Empire.

Attempted to achieve this by two ways, 1) marry the emperor and 2) get her son, Nero, to be heir. Achieved both. Influence: efore her marriage to !laudius, you could say she had influence on the populace through her popularity, daughter of "ermanicus. Never really influenced any of her two husbands before !laudius. #uring $essalina%s &reign&, still had strong influence yet 'ept a low profile for obvious reasons. (hilst married to !laudius, her influence on !laudius was comparable to $essalina%s and evident by rewarding her supporters with high ran'ing )obs *e.g. urrus as +raetorian +refect). Apparently during !laudius% last years, she totally dominated !laudius with her influence. As co,regent still retained a great amount of influence and carried that into Nero%s sole reign. (hen Nero had the affair, was the starting point of the fall of Agrippina, as some her supporters, eg urrus, saw more opportunity with Nero than Agrippina. Assess the power and influence of Agrippina the -ounger in .ulio,!laudian family. *1/) &#aughter,& &0ister&, &Niece,& &(ife,& &$other&. Each of these headings, defines Agrippina by her relationship to the main in power1& *Anthony arrett). 2his depicts the way Agrippina gained power and influence in 3ome. y having incestuous relationships with most of her male family members. 4t was the perfect plan as a stepping stone to supreme authority she yearned for. Agrippina5s father was "ermanicus, who was popular amongst the armies in the 3oman Empire. 6e was also from the blood line of Augustus and thus Agrippina had already established a name for herself since her birth. &0he derived prominence from her famous military father& *E.A .udge). 6er mother, Agrippina the elder, was a head strong woman who Agrippina the -ounger loo'ed up too1 &2he techni7ues of the two women were very similar. oth cultivated the military1& * auman) 2his establishes that Agrippina5s parents were a ma)or factor in her life even though they weren5t around for most of it. 6er father died when she was four years old and her mother died sometime after in prison. 6er father had given her prestige and her mother had shaped her cunning personality. (hen "aius *her brother) became emperor he offered Agrippina as well as her sisters, the highest honours a woman could ever have in 3ome. &1 8received9 the privileges of the :estals& * arrett). 2hey were allowed to watch the public games from the imperial seats, be included in the annual

vows of allegiance to the emperor and have their figures appearing on the coins. 2his increased Agrippina1s status dramatically because if "aius, the emperor respected her, ultimately the ma)ority of people of 3ome would. After reclaiming a grand amount of wealth after the death of her second husband +allas she married !laudius, her own uncle who was emperor at the time. 2his was &1a stepping,stone to supremacy.& *2acitus) because !laudius was the highest respected authority figure in 3ome. 2hus, being wife to him gave her absolute influence. 0he could use her cunning wit to have her way with !laudius and hence managed to totally dominate him. 0he made him perform ruthless behavior including the death of a woman !laudius had considered as pretty. 2he ancient historian 2acitus believed that &1complete obedience was accorded to a woman& 2his further portrays the influence Agrippina was creating for herself in 3ome than's to her .ulio,!laudian descent. 0he had !laudius adopt her son Nero so he would become heir the throne and not !laudius1 own son rittanicus. 1 1 1 1 1 (hen !laudius died Nero became emperor. deemed by Nero & est of $others& picture appeared on the emperor1s side of the coin involved in political affairs including meetings of the senate 'illed off any political rivals

Achievements; Agrippina *Ag) had two important ambitions and she achieved them both. 6er son Nero became emeror of 3ome and she became the most influential and powerful woman of her time. 6er official title was Ag. Augusta, *wife) of the #ivine !laudius, mother of Nero !aesar, by decree of the 0enate. 26e following are Ag%s achievements for Nero; , 0he convinced !ladius to adopt Nero and place him before his own son , 0he had 0eneca appointed as his tutor , 0he elimated rivals , 0he saw Nero made emperor 2he following are Ag%s achievements for herself; , +owers , 6onours and prestige 6onours given to Ag early in N%s reign *pg. <=) , $ade priestess of the deified !laudius , "iven two lictors , Appeared on coins with Nero , 3ode together in her litter , 3ecived various embassies

, 0ent letters to influential pepople such as govenors and 'ings , 0uetonius and !assius #io both mention that Ag controlled N%s public and private affairs , A rear door was installed so Ag could stand behind a curtain and listen to discussions in the 0enate 6onours and privileges given by "aius to Ag and her sisters*pg.<2); , > sisters appear on reverse side of coin , "iven seats in imperial closure at games , 4ncluded in annual vows of allegiance to the emperor , 4ncluded in preamble to proposals submitted to the 0enate , 4ncl in annual vow for the emperor%s safety , $ade honorary :estal :irgins Ancient and modern interpretations of Ag; All the ancient historians we use for our information about Ag were men *e.g. 2acitus, 0uetonius and !assius #io). 4n 3oman society there were very strict ideas about how women should behave. 2hey were to be loyal, dutiful and to abide by the decisions of their fathers and husbands without 7uestion. 2acitus; , +ortrayed ?ctavia, Antonia and especially Ag 4 as good e@amples of 3oman matrons. , Ag 44 was not portrayed in this way, instead seeing her as acting in a scandalous way, actually dominating the government. , Livia, $essalina, Ag 44 and +oppaea 0abina were shown as ruthless women dominating their unfortunate and docile husbands. , he wrote this because he wanted to undermine the +rincipate and the .ulio,!laudian dynasty 0uetonius; , !oncentrated on court intrigue , A great deal of his wor' must be regarded as gossip 2he conclusion from ancient sources is that Ag was a wic'ed woman and a dominating mother who involved herself in schemes to marry and murder !laudius )ust so Nero could become emperor. $odern 6istorians; 2he modern historians 7uestions whether the ancient interpretation is an accurate portryal. , Ag did not act as a traditional 3oman woman , 0he certainly e@erted great influence, which was unusual

, 6er achievements show that she did have a degree of political power , 0he must be evaluated in the conte@t of her time , 0he would have realised she could not rule in her own right , -et it was acceptable for her to try to achieve the best position for her son , 2he methods she used were similar to those used by others in the imperial family Ag had two definate ambitions and she achieved both. 4n this sense, she is considered a strong, successful and much admired and respected 3oman woman. Arom A.A. arret, Agrippina, $other of Nero, 1<<B

2he #eath of !laudius 2he popular image of Agrippina the murderer is based almost entirely on her supposed role in one incident; C 2he death of !laudius, allegedly by poisoned mushroom C 2he evidence for murder here is very slender 2he sources vary in constructing a motive C 2acitus suggests that the murder was a remar' of !laudius that he was Dfated to endure the sine of his wives, then to punish them5 C Narcissus is supposed to have alerted !laudius to Agrippina%s crimes *as he had with $essalina) C 2his seems implausible, another attempt to depict !laudius% Dpassive5 role C !assius #io claims that by =E !laudius had become aware of Agrippina%s Dactions5 and angered by them C (hat the Dactions5 were is not specified C 0uetonius says that near the end of his life !laudius began to repent his marriage to Agrippina and the adoption of Nero An opportunity for murder is supposed to have occurred in ?ctober =E when the protective Narcissus went off to the hot springs at 0inuessa C -et this seems unli'ely if he was as 2acitus claims concerned for !laudius% safety 2he ancient sources agree that Agrippina was guilty of murder C 0he is supposed to have used the services of Locusta, a professional poisoner C !laudius is supposed to have been poisoned while ban7ueting by poison in a dish of mushrooms on the night of ?ctober 12th

C 2acitus and 0uetonius agree that the physician Fenophon helped with the murder ut the fact that a murder charge is made is not in itself significant C 0uch accusations followed the deaths of most members of the .ulio, !laudian family C !laudius had suffered ill,health since childhood C 6e ate and dran' to e@cess C 4t is not surprising that he died at the age of BE 2he report of !laudius% death was supposedly 'ept secret for a while C ritannicus, and !laudius5 daughters Antonia and ?ctavia were detained C Agrippina refused admission to the palace and issued regular bulletins hoping for !laudius% recovery C 2he reason for the delay according to 2acitus and 0uetonius was to 'eep the main body of praetorians in the dar' until the preparations for Nero%s succession were completed C 2his is plausible, but does not fit well with the idea that !laudius was the victim of a premeditated murder Ainally all was ready and the death was made public C efore the news had time to sin' in the succession of Nero was fait accompli

. ". Aerrero, (omen of the !aesars, 1<11; 1. 2acitus% story of Agrippina poisoning !laudius is ridiculous. Even 2acitus merely says that %many believe% the story to be true. 2. 2acitus says that Agrippina poisoned !laudius because he was favouring ritannicus. ut there was no certainty that the senate would choose either on !laudius% death; Nero was only 1G and ritannicus only 1>. >. 2he charge of poisoning, li'e all the others brought against the Augustan family, seems unli'ely. Arom the point of view of the interests of the .ulio,!laudians, !laudius died much too soon. 2acitus tells us that Agrippina 'ept the death of !laudius secret for many hours and pretended that doctors were trying to save him when in reality he was already dead, dum res firmando Neronis imperio componuntur *while matters were being arranged to assure the empire to Nero). 4f everything had to be hurried through at the last moment, Agrippina herself must have been ta'en by surprise by the sudden death of !laudius. 0he therefore cannot be held

responsible for having caused it. E. (hen !laudius died, Agrippina must have understood that since the family of Augustus had no full,grown man as candidate for the principate, there was grave danger that the senate might refuse to confer supreme power on either Nero or ritannicus. =. 2he only answer to this would be to present one of the two youths to the +raetorian "uards and have him proclaimed head of the armies. 2his would force the senate to proclaim him head of the empire, as in the case of !laudius. B. Nero was chosen by Agrippina because he was older. 4t was a bold move to as' the senate to ma'e a seventeen,year,old emperorH it would have been folly to as' them to accept a thirteen,year,old.

Agrippina Timeline 14 Death of Augustus 15 Agrippina born 19 Death of Germanicus 28 Marriage to Ahenobarbus 29 Death of Li ia !! Death of Agrippina the el"er !# Death of Tiberius$ accession of Gaius$ birth of %ero !8 &onspirac' against Gaius$ e(ile" 4) Death of Ahenobarbus 41 Assassination of Gaius$ accession of &lau"ius$ recall from e(ile 42 Marries &rispus 48 Death of Messalina 49 Marriage to &lau"ius$ *eneca recalle" 5) title Augusta$ %ero a"opte" 51 +urrus appointe" 5! Marriage of %ero an" ,cta ia 54 - Death of &lau"ius$ accession of %ero 55 Acte in ol e"$ fall of .allas$ "eath of +ritannicus$ Agrippina left palace 59 Mur"er of Agrippina /2 Death of +urrus /5 - Death of *eneca 0e' terms auctoritas personal prestige an" stan"ing potestas the po1er of magistrates potentia po1er$ authorit'$ s1a'$ influence is po1er$ force$ igour fastigium height$ summit 2of a buil"ing3po1er4 artes honestae respectable$ 1orth' s5ills impotentia lac5 of control an" restraint impu"icitia unchastit' lasci ia 1antonness no erca a stepmother cupi"itas gree" for mone' an" po1er a aritia gree" superbia arrogance socia partner$ comra"e$ companion$ associate$ all'$ relati e$ 1ife prosperis "ubiis6ue socia an all' in goo" times an" ba" "omestica cura "omestic concerns

"omination "omination3lor"ship

OVERVIEW OF THE ROMAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES

Social

Patricians I small group of ancient families who held political power Plebeians I ma)ority of people who were denied access to power y .ulio,!laudian times, most distinctions between these two groups were removed I they were closely lin'ed by marriage and most political, religious and military offices were open to all citiJens 0ocial distinction was mar'ed by membership of the senate Equestrians (equites) I middle classH cavalry in armyH business menH 7uite wealthyH few made it into the senate Slaves I important part of society and especially economyH educated slaves e@tremely valued in 3oman householdsH not a permanent state and manumission was common Freedmen I e@,slaves who had gained their freedomH were still not full citiJensH career paths in business, commerce, imperial cult and imperial bureaucracy ,K great wealth and influence
Political 7ulio-&lau"ian8s retaine" the .rincipate an" retaine" the un"erl'ing structures of the republic$ the senate$ the magistrate an" the assemblies 9ollo1e" the cursus honorum :n"er 7ulio-&lau"ian8s$ the princeps an" the e(pan"ing imperial bureaucrac' encroache" on some tra"itional political structures an" offices .rincipate form of go ernment establishe" b' Augustus in 2#+& .atronage important feature of both social an" political life +ase" on goo" faith 2fi"es4 not la1 .atrons rich an" po1erful &lients not rich an" po1erful .atrons pro i"e" clients 1ith a" ice on legal business an" personal matters an" helpe" them a" ance their career &lients in return$ ga e respect$ lo'alt' an" support to their patrons; <ole of =mperial >omen in <oman *ociet' i"eal of roman 1omanhoo" 1as matrona lo'al 1ife$ "e ote" mother un"er the control of the male of the famil' coul" inherit$ o1n an" be6ueath propert' fatherless 1omen 1ho ha" !? chil"ren coul" enter into legal transactions on their o1n an" coul" participate full' in roman life coul" run business$ bu' an" sell sla es$ enter into legal contracts$ ma5e in estments

some became e(tremel' 1ealth' in their o1n right some hel" great social an" political influence e"ucate" in the basics of rea"ing an" 1riting but primaril' useful tas5s to manage the househol" atten"e" ban6uets$ the games$ festi als$ theatres an" baths ha" to channel their energies$ interests an" talents into furthering the political causes of husban"s$ sons or lo ers 9e1er females than males in upper class "ue to infantici"e @; >omen coul" marr' an" remarr' easil' man' 1omen "uring the 7ulio-&lau"ian time reAecte" this tra"itional role or at least challenge" it Li ia 1ife of Augustus pla'e" a "ual role in <oman societ' "utiful an" "e ote" 1ife interest in politics$ truste" confi"ant an" a" iser to Augustus 1as her Aob to ma5e the rule of Augustus acceptable to roman 1omen public face of Augustus ha" her o1n clients commissione" an" "e"icate" public buil"ings sponsore" charities interce"e" on behalf of pro incial embassies o1ne" properties a"ministere" them 1ith the help of se eral hun"re" personal staff grante" man' rights an" honours sacrosanctit' ote" public statues Augusta Ma"e a priestess Gi en some pri ileges enAo'e" b' the estals hel" one thir" of Augustus8 estate 1hen he "ies 1as a"opte" into 7ulian famil' senate trie" to "eif' her after her "eath "uring the reign of Tiberius but he reAecte" the proposal &lau"ius "i" so later ,ther 7ulio-&lau"ian >omen e"ucate"$ intelligent$ 1ealth'$ conscious of their position 1ere$ ho1e er subAect to the po1er e(ercise" b' their male relati es ,cta ia marrie" Mar5 Anton' as a political arrangement to strengthen the alliance bet1een him an" her brother$ Augustus gi en a public funeral upon her "eath &lau"ius ga e his mother$ Antonia$ man' honours inclu"ing the title Augusta an" minte" man' coins featuring her image 7ulia entere" into ! political marriages arrange" b' her father 1as banishe" un"er Augustus8 a"ulter' la1s

Agrippina the el"er seen a political threat to Tiberius8 regime$ fulfille" the role as a perfect roman 1omen superbl' 7ulio-&lau"ian 1omen 1ere influential in the affairs of <ome through their position in the househol"s of the imperial famil' 1here po1er came to be concentrate" 9emale relati e of imperial men 1ere crucial in pro i"ing heirs an" successors To ar'ing "egrees$ a number of 7ulio-&lau"ian 1omen share" in the prestige an" po1er of the "'nast' 9amil' +ac5groun" an" *tatus &ame from the 7ulian8s an" the &lau"ian8s Direct "escen"ant of the "i ine Augustus +orn to the most popular couple in <ome &ame from an e"ucate" famil' ,ne of 9 chil"ren ! "ie" Bl"est of ! sisters Agrippina Bl"er consi"ere" a threat to the principate Tacitus suggests her supporters forme" a political faction 5no1n as the .artes Agrippinae B(ile" b' Tiberius Ancient sources sa' she 1as a beautiful 1omen Barl' Life +orn in 15AD Barl' 'ears spent in militar' camps 1ith her siblings an" parents &are" for b' great gran"mother Li ia an" gran"-mother Antonia ha" a great influence on Agrippina After "eath came un"er tutelage of a guar"ian 2tutela impuberis4$ Tiberius 1ho arrange" her first marriage Barl' life influence" her attitu"e to1ar"s life an" especiall' Tiberius Marriage >e""ings of imperial 1omen recognise" as political e ent >e""ings arrange" for political$ social or business reasons @; .o1er 5ept 1ithin han" of limite" families Marriage to Domitius Ahenobarbus Agrippina 1! Tiberius arrange" for her to marr' Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus 2goo" bac5groun" an" 1ealth4 CDa man 1ho 1as in e er' aspect of life utterl' "etestableC *uetonius 1as 1ell 5no1n for both iolence an" cruelt' 0ept a lo1 profile "uring the last 'ears of Tiberius8 reign "ue to the suffering e(perience" b'

members of her famil'$ largel' at the han"s of *eAanus Marriage -E %ero8s birth %ero born 9 months after "eath of Tiberius ma'be she "ela'e" conception until she 1as free from the threat of Tiberius Fer first choice for her ne(t marriage 1as Galba but she 1as unsuccessful Cnobo"' coul" interest him in a secon" match$ not e en AgrippinaC *uetonius Marriage to &rispus .assienus After husban" "ie"$ her brother-in-la1 .assienus "i orce" his 1ife Domitia 2Ahenobarbus8 sister4 to marr' Agrippina 241AD4 .lin' notes that his marriage to Agrippina ma"e him Cmore "istinguishe"C 21hich remin"s us of the po1er an" prestige of her famil' bac5groun"4 >hen he "ie"$ his 1ealth 1ent to Agrippina Ambitions Du"le' suggests Agrippina 1as gui"e" b' ! main aims To "ra1 political po1er into her o1n han"s To a" ance her son %ero to the .rincipate To remo e those 1ho stoo" in her 1a' <easons for these aims inclu"e Man' members of her imme"iate famil' ha" been imprisone"$ e(ile" or 5ille" As "escen"ant of Augustus$ "aughter of Germanicus$ mother to the onl' "irect male "escen"ant of her illustrious famil' she ma' ha e felt entitle" to her share of the po1er in the "'nast' +aumann suggests that Agrippina8s relationship 1ith Lepi"us 1as Agrippina8s i"ea$ to o erthro1 Gaius an" install Lepi"us as 8careta5er8 until %ero 1as ol" enough to rule +asis of .o1er an" =nfluence Fer ancestr' 1as the foun"ation of her po1er an" influence *he claime" that the bloo" of Augustus ran in her eins Fer mother an" father 1ere respecte" figures in <ome an" the pro inces *he enAo'e" the prestige as sister of the emperor Gaius Fer marriages an" the birth of her son enhance" her respectabilit' as a matron an" a mother >hile her famil' 1as an important foun"ation$ her talents an" intelligence enable" her to ma5e the most of her position Life an" B(ile un"er Gaius !#AD - Gaius became emperor imme"iatel' besto1e" honours on all members of his famil' especiall' his three sisters the' recei e" the rights an" pri ileges of the Gestal Girgins 1hich ga e them free"om

e(empte" them from male guar"ianship enable" them to access seats in the imperial enclosure an" games tra"itionall' off-limits to 1omen ! sisters 1ere inclu"e" in the annual o1s for his safet' an" in oaths of allegiance 2&assius Dio4 C= 1ill hol" m'self an" m' chil"ren "earer than = hol" Augustus an" his sistersC *uetonius inclu"e" in preamble to proposals submitte" b' the senate ! sisters on the ob erse si"e of coin 1ith Agrippina as 8*ecuritas8 ga e them unprece"ente" constitutional status ancient sources ma5e note on his incestuous relationship 1ith his sisters !9AD Gaius fell ill an" "eath of Drusilla -E Agrippina fell from fa our Gaius accuse" Agrippina an" Li illa of a"ulter' an" plotting against him 1ith Lepi"us -E e(ile %ero sta'e" 1ith aunt Domitius Lepi"us 1hilst his mother 1as in e(ile Gaius further humiliate" Agrippina b' forcing her to carr' an urn 1ith the ashes of her "ea" lo er from the alps to <ome 2reminiscent of her mother8s Aourne' 1ith the ashes of their father4 <eturne" from banishment 1hen Gaius "ie" an" &lau"ius came into po1er <ole "uring &lau"ius8 <eign Messalina 1as Agrippina8s niece Bscape" messalina 1rath Ma'be because she feare" Agrippina8s po1er an" influence an" the popularit' of %ero 2recei e" more applause than %ero at the games4 +ecame e(tremel' po1erful "uring his reign *uetonius suggests &lau"ius8 reign C1as "ictate" not so much b' his o1n Au"gement but b' his 1i es an" free"menC *he 1as an intelligent an" ambitious 1oman 1ho 1as "etermine" to fulfil a role she felt she 1as both capable of an" entitle" to b' irtue of her famil' bac5groun" BnAo'e" her po1er as his 1ife but also misuse" it Bliminate" an' possible ri als to herself an" %ero .romote" the cause of her son at the e(pense of +ritannicus BnAo'e" flaunting her 1ealth an" po1er .lace" some of her clients into 5e' positions in the empire e;g; *eneca an" +urrus Apparent ictims of Agrippina inclu"e Lollia .aulina Lucius *ilanus &alpurnia *osibius *tatilius Taurus &lau"ius Domitia Lepi"a Marcus 7unius *ilanus Marriage to &lau"ius Huic5 to ta5e a" antage of situation

>ithin ! months the' 1ere marrie" &lau"ius 1as grante" a special "ispensation from the senate$ 1hich legitimise" his marriage Bach of &lau"ius8 a" isors supporte" a "ifferent 1oman for him to marr' Agrippina 1as recommen"e" b' .allas <easons 1h' she 1as chosen inclu"e@ *he 1as a ailable *he 1as of the right famil' bac5groun" *he 1as fertile an" still 'oung enough to ha e chil"ren Tacitus an" *uetonius claim that as his niece$ Agrippina isite" &lau"ius fre6uentl' an" use" se"ucti e beha iour to gain his affection Cshe ha" a nieces pri ilege of 5issing an" caressing &lau"ius$ an" e(ercise" it 1ith noticeable effect on his passionC *uetonius marriage bet1een an uncle an" a niece 1as illegal -E Lucius Gitellius con ince" the senate to change the la1 49AD Agrippina marrie" &lau"ius &lau"ius gaine" from the marriage also Fe gaine" the important connection into the 7ulian famil' that he ha" not been a"opte" into Fe 1oul" be assure" that Agrippina 1oul" not be able to use her famil' connection to gi e legitimac' to a potential ri al Follan" suggests &lau"ius8 "ecision C>as ta5en for political reasons$ to shore up his unpopular regimeC ,n coins an" cameos this union is represente" as a ne1 beginning$ 1ith Agrippina$ her parents an" her son prominentl' feature" =t 1as her marriage to him that enable" her to realise her ultimate ambition Agrippina as Augusta 5)AD recei e" title CAugustaC ha" been hel" b' other 7ulio-&lau"ian 1omen but not 1hile their husban"s 1ere li ing +arrett e(plains the importance of this title@ it Ccon e'e" the notion of empressC an" e en though legall' a 1oman coul" not "irectl' rule in <ome$ Cshe coul" la' e6ual claim to the maAest' that the office of emperor con e'e"C &lau"ius8 A"option of %ero ancient sources suggest this 1as part of Agrippina8s plan to gain po1er for her son Tacitus implies .allas pla'e" a ital role in the plan an" that he ha" a er' close relationship 1ith Agrippina &lau"ius a"opte" him an" ga e him prece"ent o er +rittanicus Mo"ern historians point out that +rittanicus 1as onl' nine at the time 2too 'oung to be ruler4 Fe ma' ha e been "iscre"ite" b' his mothers reputation 2"oubts about paternit'4 Agrippina trie" to strengthen %ero8s position b' arranging I marriage alliance bet1een %ero an" ,cta ia

,cta ia alrea"' engage" to Lucius 7unius *ilanus Agrippina got Lucius Gitellius to charge *ilanus 1ith incest 1ith his sister +etrothal cancelle"$ *ilanus committe" suici"e$ %ero engage" to ,cta ia age continue" to use her influence to strengthen her an" her sons position she began replacing people in 5e' positions 1ho 1ere lo'al to Messalina 1ith those of her o1n choosing 2e;g; *eneca$ +urrus$ centurions$ tribunes Ancient sources suggest she began to eliminate other members of the 7unius *ilanus famil' 2the' 1ere "escen"ants of Augustus an" @; A threat to %ero8s throne4 Marcus 7unius *ilanus an" 7unia &al ina 9eature" 1ith +ritannicus on coins from eastern an" Danubian pro inces =mage an" *tatus Ger' conscious of her image an" status >ore a militar' cloa5 of gol"en cloth on ceremonial occasions e en 1hen %ero an" &lau"ius 1ore simple militar' cloa5s 9irst 1oman to 1ear such a militar' garment in <ome 9oun"e" a eterans colon' near the place of her birth .opular in the pro inces 1here she ha" man' clients an" supporters Fonoure" 1ith public statues in the pro inces =mportance an" status reache" b' Agrippina "uring the reign if &lau"ius is best illustrate" in Tacitus8 account of the surren"er of the +ritish lea"er &aractacus; Fe "escribes Agrippina seate" on a "ais near the emperor 1here she 1as offere" Cthe same homage an" gratitu"eC CThat a 1oman shoul" sit before roman stan"ar"s is an unprece"ente" no elt'; *he 1as asserting her partnership in the empire her ancestors ha" 1onC Tacitus >oo" obser es that her role in this e ent is e i"ence of Ca public ac5no1le"gement an" institutionalisation of her role in foreign an" pro incial affairsC Titles an" Fonours &assius Dio suggests she ha" a lust for po1er@ Cshe 1as not satisfie" to ha e all the pri ileges of Li ia an" more$ an" to e(ercise the same po1er as &lau"ius$ she 1ante" the same title as hisC %ero 1oul" later use her "esire for po1er as a Austification of her "eath 5)AD grante" the title Augusta %ero a"opte" as &lau"ius8 heir gi en honour carpentum bet1een 5)-54AD$ prominence Agrippina reache" is reflecte" in titles an" honours she hel" an" in coinage Death of &lau"ius accor"ing to Tacitus an" *uetonius$ she began to lose her influence o er &lau"ius Tacitus an" *uetonius allu"e to comments ma"e b' &lau"ius that he 1as unhapp' 1ith his choice of 1i es an" his treatment of +ritannicus

Die" in 54 most ancient sources blame Agrippina Cmost people thin5 that &lau"ius 1as poisone"$ but b' 1hen$ an" b' 1hom is "ispute"C *uetonius Tacitus sa's that as the senate 1as summone" an" priests an" consuls offere" pra'ers for the safet' of the emperor Chis alrea"' lifeless bo"' 1as being 1rappe" in blan5etsDb' arious "e ices she pre ente" him 2+ritannicus4 from lea ing his roomDC Fis "eath 1as not announce" until +urrus an" the .raetorian Guar" ha" "eclare" their lo'alt' to %ero an" a generous "onati e ha" been gi en to each guar"smen; *enate then haile" him imperator 1hich ma"e him princeps &lau"ius8 1ill 1as either hi""en or "estro'e" Agrippina ha" been the most po1erful an" successful of the 7ulio-&lau"ian 1omen; As the 1ife of an emperor she ha" been a partner in po1er$ no1$ as the mother of a 'oung emperor$ she 1as 1illing an" able to act as his regent; <ole an" &hanging <elationship 1ith %ero "uring his <ule %ero 1as Aust 1# 1hen he became emperor *enate ma"e Agrippina a priestess of &lau"ius8 cult an" ga e her 2 lictors 9irst pass1or" %ero ga e to the tribune of the 1atch 1as Coptimum materC 2best of mothers4 Cat first Agrippina manage" for him all imperial businessDnegotiating 1ith embassies$ an" correspon"ing 1ith communities$ foreign magistrates an" 5ingsC Dio C%ero allo1e" his mother full authorit' in all business$ public as 1ell as pri ateC *uetonius C%ero turne" o er all his public an" pri ate affairs to Agrippina8s managementC - *uetonius Ce er' out1ar" honour 1as heape" upon AgrippinaC Tacitus +als"on sa's she 5isse" him 1ith in"ecent passion an" appeare" before him 1ith the unmista5able intention of incest Fer po1er an" authorit' are presente" on gol" an" sil er coins of the earl' 'ears of %ero8s rule; *he is sho1n face to face an" in e6ual siIe to %ero on the ob erse of coins 54AD an" si"e b' si"e 1ith him on the ob erse of coins of 55AD Fer influence began to be challenge" e;g; 1hen the senate change" some of &lau"ius legislation "espite her obAections *ome historians ie1 %ero8s relationship 1ith .oppaea as the beginning of the en" for Agrippina realise" her influence o er %ero 1as "ecreasing 1hen he fell in lo e 1ith a free"1oman calle" acte she 1as furious at ha ing an e(-sla e as a ri al for her sons affections she scol"e" him about it so %ero openl' "isobe'e" his mother an" as5e" *eneca for help she then change" her tactics an" offere" her o1n be"room for his frolics engage" in game of brin5manship he remo e" .allas *eneca an" +urrus transferre" their lo'alt' to %ero she supporte" +ritannicus she threatene" to ta5e +ritannicus to guar"s camp an" ha e him recognise" as heir he hire" locusta to ri" of +ritannicus she trie" to hol" secret meetings 1ith officers an" noble men to gain their support against her son

she supporte" ,cta ia he remo es praetorian bo"' guar" he mo e" her out of the palace to her o1n resi"ence at +auli to isolate her form her supporters C2she4 1as no1 effecti el' put of the lime lightC Furle' 7ulius silana accuse" her of supporte" .lautus 2"escen"ant of Augustus4 in a bi" for the throne Fe consi"ere" eliminating Agrippina but 1as con ince" b' +urrus an" *eneca to hear her "efence <elationships impro e" for a short time onl' <elationship 1ith +urrus an" *eneca *eneca 1as not a freeman$ he 1as a philosopher +urrus use" Agrippina as much as she use" hi *eneca is portra'e" a limiting Agrippina8s influence e;g; stooping her mount the "ais Tacitus sa's Agrippina 1as responsible for the suici"e of %arcissus Tacitus sa's *eneca an" +urrus combine" forces to curtail Agrippina8s po1er =n %ero8s inaugural a""ress compose" b' *eneca he states C9rom m' house briber' an" fa ouritism 1ill be e(clu"e"; = 1ill 5eep personal an" state affairs separate; The senate is to preser e its ancient functionC Tacitus ma' be seen as a sign that her po1er 1as to be restricte" Tacitus gi es 2 e(amples of 1hat he sees as her unbri"le" ambition *he listene" in to the procee"ings of the senate from behin" a curtain *he attempte" to sit besi"e %ero 1hen he recei e" an en o' from Armenia As Agrippina approache" the tribunal$ *eneca a" ise" %ero to step "o1n an" meet her an" lea" her to another seat; Dio a""s that after this *eneca an" +urrus ma"e sure that no more public business 1as entruste" to the emperors mother an" the' too5 o er most of the a"ministration themsel es C2*eneca an" +urrus4 laboure" to pre ent an' public business from being again committe" to 2Agrippina8s4 han"s Dio .ublic =mage Man' coins$ busts$ statues an" relief8s of Agrippina through <ome an" the empire 1hich reflect her high profile in the 7ulio-&lau"ian perio" an" her popularit' an" influence >hen she appeare" on the coin "uring the reign of Gaius she 1as portra'e" as *ecuritas$ the personification of <ome8s securit' .hrases printe" on the legen" of some of her coins inclu"e Augusta Agrippina august$ 1ife of the "i ine &lau"ius$ mother of %ero &aesar +' the "ecree of the senate$ Agrippina Augusta$ 1ife of the "i ine &lau"ius$ mother of %ero &aesar T1o relief8s in the pro inces sho1 the public image of her 1here she appears e6ual to both &lau"ius an" %ero Attempts on her Life

*ources "epict a straine" relationship bet1een %ero an" age from 55a" Tacitus "escribes %ero8s infatuation 1ith a former sla e Acte; Agrippina "espise" this liaison an" trie" to stop it Trie" to force %ero to accept her a" ice an" possible co-regenc' b' using +ritannicus as a pa1n >ithin %ero8s hearing she state" that C+ritannicus 1as gro1n up an" a true an" 1orth' heir of his fathers supreme positionC Tacitus Tacitus suggests she trie" to raise fun"s an" to form a faction to bring about her sons "emise Cshe seeme" to be loo5ing roun" for a .art'$ an" a lea"er for itC %ero began to get sic5 of her Dismisse" her supporter .allas <emo e" her form the palace Too5 a1a' her pri ileges Too5 a1a' her lectors Too5 a1a' her bo"'guar" 7unia *ilana put up t1o of her clients to accuse Agrippina of planning to marr' .lautus an" inciting a re olt against %ero C2%ero4 resol e" to 5ill his mother$ to 5ill .lautus$ an" also to "epose +urrus from the comman" of the guar"$ as being a supporter an" nominee of AgrippinaC Tacitus *eneca a" ise" %ero to gi e his mother a hearing 1hich he "i" an" she turne" the charge against her accusers after this she 5ept a lo1 profile until .oppaea came into the picture .oppaea 1as 1ealth'$ beautiful$ po1erful an" "epra e" %ero "eci"e" the onl' 1a' he coul" brea5 his mothers "omination 1as to ha e her 5ille" Fe coul" not call on the guar" to "o so as the' remaine" lo'al to age The plan 1as to buil" a collapsible boat 1hich 1oul" brea5 up an" hurl her into the la5e 1here she 1oul" "ro1n -E bac5fire" Moti es$ Manner an" =mpact of her Death Die" in unusual circumstances in 59AD Tacitus sa's man' astrologers 1arne" her man' 'ears earlier that she 1oul" be 5ille" once %ero became emperor an" she sai" Clet him 5ill me but let him ruleC +als"on sa's it is reasonabl' certain that somebo"' re eale" the boat plot to her but she coul" not ma5e up her min" 1hether to belie e" it or not Agrippina 1as assassinate" in her room b' a group of men sent b' %ero C=f 'ou ha e come to isit meD 'ou can report that = am better; +ut if 'ou are assassins$ = 5no1 m' son is not responsibleDC - Tacitus CThe mur"erers close" roun" her be"; 9irst the captain hit her on the hea"D then as the lieutenant 1as "ra1ing his s1or" to finish her off$ she crie"@ 8stri5e hereJ8 pointing to her 1omb; +lo1 after blo1 fell$ an" she "ie"C- Tacitus she 1as hastil' burie" 1ithout the pomp or ceremon' "ue to a 1oman of her lineage an" status %ero 1as afrai" of the public reaction to her "eath Tacitus sa's that %ero Austifie" his actions to the senate b' portra'ing his mother as a threat to

himself an" to the people of <ome Fe claime" that she ha" sent an e(-sla e to mur"er him an" that she ha" C1ante" to be co-ruler to recei e oaths of allegiance from the guar"$ an" to subAect the senate an" public to the same humiliation; Disappointe" of this she hate" all of them the arm'$ senate an" people; *he ha" oppose" gratuities to the sol"iers an" ci ilians ali5e; *he ha" contri e" the "eath of "istinguishe" men;C Tacitus Csome ancient sources see her "eath as a significant turning point in %ero8s reign an" a factor lea"ing to his e entual "o1nfallC Furle'

=mpact an" =nfluence on her Time The esteem gi en to 1omen such as Li ia$ an" Agrippina 1as base" in part on their relationship 1ith prominent men but also on ho1 the' shape" an" carrie" out their roles 1ithin the imperial famil' Agrippina 1ent be'on" the other 1omen in the honours an" pri ileges grante" to her an" in her e(ercise of political Kpo1er The ancient sources 1ere hostile to1ar"s her as she 1as a 1oman 1ho ha" political ambition$ portra'e" her As an unscrupulous 1oman 1ho 1oul" "o an'thing to satisf' her personal lust for po1er A closer assessment re eals a politicall' astute 1oman 1ho use" her consi"erable talents to fulfil her ambitions$ an" in "oing so she contribute" to the strength an" stabilit' of her regime Assessment on her Life an" &areer An e(tremel' successful 1oman in terms of 1ealth$ status an" po1er :se" her talents to ma5e the most of opportunities presente" to her Fonoure" 1ith titles$ pri ileges$ "e"icator' statues$ portraits on coins in <ome an" the pro inces *he 1as openl' ac5no1le"ge" as &lau"ius8 Cpartner in po1erC Barl' in %ero8s reign she became the most po1erful 1oman in the empire Fa" great pri"e in her ancestr' an" felt it entitle" her to a share in political po1er C:ntil her "eath she represente" the t'pical <oman matron e(ercising influence on her sonC Furle' she ha" Ce(erte" consi"erable authorit' an" po1er in imperial roman societ'C 2Furle'4 as she 1as the sister$ 1ife an" mother of an emperor patron of influential nobles an" free"men e(tremel' 1ealth' in ol e" in numerous political an" se(ual intrigues *he 1as prou" of her ancestr' an" felt it entitle" her to a share in political po1er Fer pri"e an" ambition can be seen as A reflection of the accepte" role of 1omen of patrician ran5 to support the political career of her

husban"s an" sons A "esire to ensure the continuation of the 7ulian line 2she 5ne1 ho1 to e(ploit her Augustan lineage4 &lau"ius also gaine" respectabilit' an" the lin5 to the 7ulian famil' b' marr'ing Agrippina +' persua"ing &lau"ius to a"opt %ero an" gi e him prece"ent o er +ritannicus$ she ensure" a legitimate 7ulian 1oul" rule an" she 1oul" sta' close to the throne As %ero 1as onl' 1#$ age felt that her lineage$ status an" e(perience entitle" her to ta5e an acti e role in his reign *he learnt from her e(perience As a chil" she enAo'e" the lo e an" respect gi en to her famil'; Later 1as the opposite 1hen relati es an" frien"s 1ere persecute" Marrie" off at 1! to a iolent man$ then en"ure" beha iour of Gaius Learnt first han" about the metho"s use" b' those in po1er to suppress or eliminate real or potential threat or opposition; *a1 the "amage that coul" be "one b' incompetent rule *he 1as politicall' astute 0ept herself our of harms 1a' "uring reign of Tiberius Also a oi"e" attention of Messalina Ma"e most of opportunit' to marr' &lau"ius sought securit' for herself an" her son Gaine" support an" ser ices of capable men in 5e' positions e;g; .allas$ Gitellius$ *eneca$ +urrus an" built a net1or5 of political alliances :se" the s'stems of promotion an" rotation of offices to ensure she ha" supporters at <ome an" potential opponents 1ere remo e" through promotions to the pro inces *he 1as &lau"ius8 Cpartner in po1erC an" too5 a "irect role in a"min Maintaine" strong influence in pro inces >hether she 5ille" &lau"ius or not$ she 1as astute enough to ensure %ero ha" support of praetorians before he 1as presente" to the senate thus ensuring his acceptance as princes Barl' part off %ero8s reign are i"entifie" b' sources as his Cgoo" 'earsC 1as 1hen he 1as most un"er Agrippina8s influence *he 1as intelligent$ ambitious an" "etermine" These 1ere a"mirable 6ualities in an' roman lea"er but as a 1oman she ha" limite" opportunit' to e(ercise them Fa" a goal an" use" her s5ills to get it &reate" man' opportunities for herself not Aust too5 a" antage of those presente" to her :se" the same metho"s as use" b' the men in her famil' &ulti ating political alliances 9ostering the careers of supporters <emo ing potential ri als through strategic pro incial appointments an" Au"icial means

Trials .roscriptions +anishment B(ecution Fa" an un"erstan"ing of roman politics an" la1 >rote memoirs rea" b' Tacitus$ .lin' an" ma'be *uetonius <ealise" her ambition of sharing in the famil' "'nast' trough her participation in &lau"ius a"min an" her sons accession Agrippina8s 1ea5nesses Main 1ea5ness 1as her "isregar" for roman political con entions More capable of ruling than most men in the famil' but it 1as not acceptable for a 1oman to openl' e(ercise political po1er <elationship 1ith %ero after he became emperor <eluctant to surren"er the po1er an" influence she ha" o er him "uring his earl' 'ears *he manoeu re" people such as *eneca an" +urrus into positions of po1er to support her ambition but once %ero turne" against her the' supporte" him an" not her Despite her "isregar" for political con ention$ she ha" a generall' conser ati e outloo5 1hen it came to the future of the famil' "'nast' ,utrage" b' his relationship 1ith acte an" 1ante" to preser e his relationship 1ith ,cta ia &riticise" his personal life an" con"emne" his e(tra agant spen"ing <eaction 1as resentment an" rebellion an" the e(clusion of her from political life To %ero$ she 1as a me""ling mother Fer po1er an" influence 1oul" al1a's be a threat Fe 5ne1 an" feare" her capabilities 1hich is 1h' he "eci"e" to get ri" of her Legac' Tacitus "escribes her as Cuni6ue as the "aughter of a great comman"er an" the sister$ 1ife an" mother of emperorsC Ancient portraits of her are a negati e stereot'pe use" for intelligent or po1erful 1omen@ :nbri"le" an" unnatural ambition :se of ruthless an" bloo" thirst' means especiall' poison *e(ual flagranc' inc incest i;e; the antithesis of the accepte" role of the roman matron a she 1as politicall' conser ati e$ 1e cannot point to la1s or constitutional reform as part of her legac' her most conspicuous legac' 1as %ero an" he arrange" her "eath an" "i" his best to erase her from <omeL "estro'e" statues$ remo e" her name from inscriptions political achie ements 1ere remar5able

Ancient =nterpretations an" =mages

Tacitus Cthe AnnalsC Tacitus roman senator$ born c; 55a"$ 1as onl' an infant 1hen she i"es @; Di"n8t see e ents he "escribe" or hear con ersations he recreate" &laims to be impartial but is hostile to1ar"s .rincipate form of go ernment 7ulio-&lau"ian8s 7ulio-&lau"ian 1omen especiall' Agrippina 2claime" she subAecte" <ome to a t'rann' that 1as Calmost masculineC4 &onser ati e$ a"mire" tra"itions especiall' 1omen @; Fe "amne" 1omen eh Agrippina .art of 7ulio-&lau"ian "'nast' *teppe" outsi"e tra"itional roles *a1 the historians Cforemost "ut'C to recor" goo" an" "enounce e il so rea"ers coul" "istinguish right from 1rong +elie e" corruption of principate ? moral "egenerac' of emperor8s an" their 1i es -E "ecline of "'nast' *uetonius CLi es of the &aesarsC <oman biographer >rote about their famil'$ earl' life$ public career$ ph'sical appearance an" earl' life +orn 1)? 'rs after Agrippina8s "eath @; Di" not e(perience or 1itness e ents or con ersations =mperial secretar' -E access to man' resources but er' uncritical 2also uses rumours$ omens$ gossip etc in his 1or54 %ot focuse" on as much as males but ma5es "erogator' statements about her Doesn8t blame her for &lau"ius8 "eath Does not ha e a reliable historical source on her life &assius Dio Ca Fistor' of <omeC +orn 1))? 'ears after her "eath 9ather roman senator$ e(tensi e political career Galuable 1or5 as it almost completel' co ers 7ulio-&lau"ian perio" an" is onl' sur i ing source for man' e ents that occurre" &onser ati e especiall' in relation to politics an" 1omen *a1 Augustus as i"ealL ruler an" "escen"ants as ha ing "eparte" from the i"eal ,nl' half of his account of this "'nast' sur i es Fa" access to her memoirs =n ente" speeches an" con ersations he thought appropriate to he situation being "escribe" Li5e Tacitus he 1rote 1ith the same moral purpose

Bstablishe" the moti ation that le" to historical figures to act as the' "i" Depicts Agrippina as a "etermine" 1oman 1ho 1oul" go to an' lengths$ e en personal suffering$ to achie e her ambition Mo"ern interpretations an" images Mo"ern accounts follo1 the 5e' e ents presente" in the ancient sources ar' in their interpretations slightl' as to her character$ moti es an" role; %one are as scathing as Tacitus or as positi e as 9errero Most see her as the pro"uct of a famil' bac5groun" mar5e" b' political intrigue an" iolence 1hich ma"e her "etermine" to protect her o1n interests Generall' presente" as an intelligent$ ambitious 1oman 1ho 1as "etermine" to e(ercise po1er through the men in her famil' an" in her o1n right Mo"ern historians 1e can use that ha e interpretations of Agrippina in their 1or5 inclu"e +arrett 9errero +auman >oo" 7u"ge Le ic5 Griffin 9errero CThe 1omen of &aesarsC 219114 ,nl' totall' positi e interpretation of her &on"emns the Ccru"e an" superficial falsificationC of Tacitus8 accounts +elie es marriage to &lau"ius as an act of self-sacrifice to a" ance her famil'$ especiall' %ero she 1as an intelligent an" respectable 1oman 1ho brought prestige an" stabilit' to &lau"ius8 reign after Messalina8s scan"alous beha iour she curtaile" the po1er of imperial free"men she re-organise" the states finances she prosecute" officials 1ho 1aste" public mone' stabilit' "uring earl' 'ears of %ero8s reign "ue to her authorati e an" a"min s5ills 2the Ienith of her po1erC4 1hen %ero trie" to get ri" of her she Cli5e a true roman matron of the ol" t'peC use" the famil' as an instrument of political po1er in turning to +ritannicus %ero8s relationship 1ith acte mar5s "ecline of her influence relationship 1ith .oppaea heral"e" the en" for her notes ho1 e ent Tacitus struggles to criticise her in the time she 1as marrie" to &lau"ius sees no moti e for her to 5ill &lau"ius enAo'e" prestige in <ome an" aroun" colonies gi en highest honour 2Augusta4

surroun"e" b' semi-religious a"oration if she ha" it 1oul" ha e been much better planne" claims she C"ie" li5e a sol"ier on "ut'D bra el' "efen"ing the social an" political tra"itions of the roman aristocrac'C *usan >oo" sees her as a pro"uct of a societ' 1hich encourage" 1omen to act in"irectl' through "e ious an" manipulati e means challenges the reliabilit' of Tacitus "econstructs negati e stereot'pe an" points out contra"ictions *te1art .ero1ne accepts ancient accounts in her ruthlessness in securing her "'nastic ambition sees it as a pro"uct of her en ironment e;g; mur"er 1as en"emic in the court of &lau"ius$ e en before Agrippina@ Cshe "i" not in ent the fashion$ she follo1e" itJC B"1in 7u"ge anal'ses her prominence in social an" political terms outlines ho1 political influence at <ome became concentrate" in the noble families an" ho1 females 1ho carrie" the famil' line an" o1ne" propert' in their o1n right came to share in that influence 7ulian8s closer to Augustus than &lau"ian8s as connection to him 1ere ma"e through 7ulia an" ,cta ia @; <elationships to them especiall' %ero an" Agrippina 1ere emphasise" b' &aligula$ &lau"ius an" %ero she 1as in a position to "ispense political fa our she appeale" to the public as a bearer of legitimac' an" in the non-legal sense it 1as alue" b' the people of <ome Anthon' +arrett ac5no1le"ges her bac5groun" in shaping her character recognises she 1as ruthless an" unethical an" use" legal an" illegal means to achie e her ambition a"mires her intelligence an" political abilit' an" belie es she shoul" be Au"ge" b' her achie ements rather than her personalit' suggests she 1or5e" harmoniousl' 1ith' &lau"ius an" ma"e a positi e contribution to his go ernment claims she transforme" the nature of his monarchical rule from a Crepressi e "ictatorshipC to a Crelati el' benign partnership bet1een ruler an" rule"C claims it is impossible to 5no1 1hether she mur"ere" &lau"ius or not ac5no1le"ges her lo'alt' to the memor' of him after his "eath

sees her position as co regent 1ith her son as one 1ithout prece"ent in <oman la1 or tra"ition an" that it coinci"e" 1ith the finest moments of his reign her influence o er %ero 1as easil' "isplace" b' *eneca an" +urrus but she remaine" influential politicall' until her "eath able to count on lo'alt' of praetorian guar" ,ther both Agrippina an" .oppaea ha" auburn hair an" sources sa' that the' loo5e" ali5e hence %ero8s attraction to her an" hence 1h' .oppaea sa1 Agrippina as a great threat to her po1er o er %ero as 1ell as her influence Huotes C=t is e en belie e" that 2Tiberius4 arrange" for .isoD to poison GermanicusC *uetonius CAt last 2Tiberius4 falsel' accuse" her 2Agrippina the el"er4D an" e(ile" herD 2%ero an" Drusus4 1ere "eclare" public enemies an" star e" to "eathC *uetonius CD *he 2Agrippina4 1as beautiful an" 1as in the habit of consulting him constantl'L an" she 1as much in his compan' unatten"e"DC Dio CD2Agrippina4 1as the last sur i ing "aughter of the belo e" Germanicus an" hisD1ife$ "escen"e" from AugustusD b' marr'ing her$ &lau"ius coul" both right ol" 1rongs an" immeasurabl' reinforce his political positionC Le ic5 CDshe gaine" complete control o er &lau"iusDC Dio CDshe obtaine" from the senate the right to use the carpentum at festi alsDC Dio CAgrippina also banishe" &alpurniaD because &lau"ius ha" a"mire" an" commen"e" her beaut'C Dio C9rom this moment the countr' 1as transforme"; &omplete obe"ience 1as accor"e" to a 1omanDC Tacitus C;;Austere an" often arrogantC Tacitus CFer pri ate life 1as chaste unless po1er 1as to be gaine"C Tacitus CFer passion to ac6uire mone' 1as unboun"e"C Tacitus CD 2*he4 a" ertise" her po1er to the pro incialsDC Tacitus CDshe ha" a settlement of e(-sol"iers establishe"DC Tacitus

CDoffere" to AgrippinaDthe same homage an" gratitu"e as the' ha" gi en the emperor;C Tacitus CThat a 1oman shoul" sit before <oman stan"ar"s 1as an unprece"ente" no elt'; *he 1as asserting her partnership in the empireDC Tacitus CD 2+urrus 1as4 full' a1are 1hose initiati e 1as behin" the appointmentDC Tacitus CDto this "a' 2she4 remains uni6ue as the "aughter of a great comman"er an" the sister$ 1ife an" mother of emperorsC Tacitus CAgrippina 1as training her son for the throne;;;C Dio CDshe e en "estro'e" some of the foremost 1omen out of Aealous'L thus she sle1 Lollia .aulina because she ha" been the 1ife of Gaius an" ha" cherishe" some hope of becoming &lau"ius8 1ifeC Dio CD%ero entere" the senate an" promise" a horse race in the case the emperor shoul" reco er; 9or Agrippina 1as lea ing no stone unturne" in or"er to ma5e %ero popular 1ith the masses an" to cause him to be regar"e" as the onl' successor to the imperial po1erC Dio CAgrippina ha" long "eci"e" on mur"erC Tacitus CDhe ha" been poisone" b' his 1ife AgrippinaDC 7osephus CAgrippina$ fearing that +ritannicus on coming to manhoo" might fall heir to his mothers officeDC 7osephus CD 2&lau"ius4 lost his po1er of speech$ suffere" frightful pain all night long an" "ie" shortl' before "a1nDC *uetonius CDhe fell into a coma but omite" up the entire contents of his o erloa"e" stomach an" 1as then poisone" a secon" timeDC - *uetonius Accor"ing to Tacitus$ CAgrippina ha" long "eci"e" on mur"erC for &lau"ius; *he as5e" Locusta$ Can e(pert in such mattersC as poison to help her; The poison 1as Ca"ministere" b' the eunuch Falotus 1ho habituall' ser e" the emperor an" taste" his foo"C; CThe poison 1as sprin5le" on a particularl' succulent mushroomC but Cbecause &lau"ius 1as torpi"C it ha" a la(ati e effect on him; CAgrippina 1as horrifie"C but calle" in the imperial "octor Menophon 1ho 1as alrea"' lo'al to her to finish the Aob; C>hile preten"ing to help &lau"ius to omit$ he 2Menophon4 put a feather "ippe" in a 6uic5 poison "o1n his throatC; >hen %ero pic5e" a lo el' go1n out an" sent it to his mother as a gift she C"eclare" that her son

1as "oling out to her 1hat a mere fraction of 1hat he o1e" her all else but this one thing 1as 5ept from herC Tacitus C%ero ha" a mistress resembling Agrippina of 1hom he 1as especiall' fon" because of this er' resemblanceDC Dio C*abina on learning of this 2that %ero C1as 1ont to ha e intercourse 1ith his motherC4 persua"e" %ero to get ri"s of his mother$ alleging that she 1as plotting against him; Fe 1as incite" li5e1ise b' *enecaDC Dio C2%ero4 "i" not "are "o an'thing in <ome$ ho1e er$ for fear the crime shoul" become generall' 5no1nC Dio Cthe o er-1atchful$ o er-critical e'e that Agrippina 5ept on 1hate er %ero sai" or "i" pro e" more than he coul" stan"C *uetonius CheD embarrasse" her b' fre6uent threats to ab"icate an" go into retirementD"epri e" her of all honour an" po1er$ an" e en of her roman an" German bo"' guar"D an" e(pelle" her from his palaceC *uetonius C=n the en" her threats an" iolent beha iour terrifie" him into "eci"ing that she must "ieC *uetonius C9inall'$ ho1e er$ he conclu"e" that 1here er Agrippina 1as she 1as intolerableC Tacitus CA ship coul" be ma"eD 1ith a section 1hich 1oul" come loose at sea an" hurl Agrippina into the 1ater 1ithout 1arningC Tacitus C*e"ucti enessC Tacitus C.ri ate life being chasteC Tacitus CFer passion to ac6uire mone' 1as unboun"e"; *he 1ante" it as a stepping stone to supremac'C Tacitus C*he 1as an(ious not to be accre"ite" 1ith ba" actions onl'C Tacitus C*he accuse" +ritannicus of contemptuous neglect of the a"option$ ote" b' the senate an" enacte" b' the peopleC Tacitus CAgrippina enhance" her o1n status; *he entere" the capitol in a ceremonial carriageDincreasing the re erence felt for a 1oman 1ho to this "a' remains uni6ue as the "aughter of a great comman"er an" the sister$ 1ife an" mother of emperorsC Tacitus

CAgrippina 1as particularl' frightene" because &lau"ius ha" remar5e" in his cups that it 1as in his "estin' to first en"ure his 1i es mis"ee"s an" then to punish them; *he "eci"e" to act 6uic5l';C Tacitus C,ut of feminine Aealous' she "estro'e" Domitius Lepi"aC Tacitus CThe intrigues of his mother in %ero8s interests are fatal to the imperial houseC Tacitus CAgrippina8s lo er is palls; That is the final proof that there is nothing she 1ill not sacrifice to imperial ambition neither "ecenc'$ nor chastit'$ nor honourC Tacitus CAgrippina ha" long "eci"e" on mur"erC Tacitus CAgrippina 1ith heart-bro5en "emeanourDC Tacitus CAgrippina recei e" honour after honourC Tacitus C*he obAecte" to a re ersal of &lau"ius8 legislationC Tacitus C*he 1as going to mount the emperor8s "ais an" sit besi"e him; B er'one 1as stupefie"C Tacitus C*he 1as gra"uall' losing control o er %ero; Fe fell in lo e 1ith a former sla e$ acte;C Tacitus C*he "ispla'e" feminine rage at ha ing an e(-sla e as her ri alC Tacitus CAgrippina out"i" e en her natural gree" in grasping fun"s from all 6uarters to bac5 her "esignsC Tacitus CB er'one longe" for the mothers8 "omination to en"; +ut no one belie e" that her son8s hatre" 1oul" go as far as mur"er;C Tacitus CAgrippina8s passion to retain po1erDshe se eral times appeare" before her inebriate" son all "ec5e" out an" rea"' for incestC Tacitus C,r perhaps it is because no se(ual no elt' seeme" incre"ible to such a 1omanC Tacitus CThen$ marrie" to her uncle her training in abomination 1as completeC Tacitus CLet him 5ill me pro i"e" he becomes emperorC Tacitus C*he ha" a nieces pri ilege of 5issing an" caressing &lau"ius$ an" e(ercise" it 1ith a notable effect on his passions;;;C *uetonius

CDthe 1e""ing too5 place 1ithout "ela'DC *uetonius .allas suggeste" Clet the emperor all' himself 1ith a noble race an" unite t1o branches of the &lau"ian househol"C Tacitus CAfter a little$ he marrie" his niece AgrippinaC Dio CThe free"men Iealousl' ai"e" in bringing about this marriageD2an" ma5e %ero &lau"ius8 successor4;;;so that the' might suffer no harm at the han"s of +ritannicus for ha ing cause" the "eath of his motherC Dio CDuring the si( 'ears that &lau"ius li e" after his marriage 1ith Agrippina$ scan"alous trage"ies became so rareDC 9errero C&lau"ius8 "eath 1as not re eale" until all arrangements ha" been complete" to secure %ero8s successionC *uetonius C2&lau"ius4 1oul" not en"ure her beha iour$ but 1as preparing to put an en" to her po1erD Agrippina$ learning of this$ became alarme" an" ma"e haste to forestall an'thing of the sort b' poisoning &lau"iusDC Dio CDshe an" he 2%ero4 often ro"e out together through the streets in her litterC *uetonius CDshe also recei e" the arious embassies an" sent letters to peoples an" go ernors an" 5ingsC Dio CDhe 2%ero4 1as ne er either then or thereafter able to free his conscience from the guilt of his crimeC *uetonius CThe passion he felt for his mother$ Agrippina$ 1as notoriousC *uetonius CDhe foun" a ne1 mistress 1ho 1as sai" to be her spit an" imageL some sa' that he "i"$ in fact$ commit incest 1ith Agrippina e er' time the' ro"e in the same litter the stains on his clothes 1hen he emerge" pro e" it;C *uetonius C*he gaine" complete control o er &lau"iusC Dio CAgrippina often atten"e" the emperor in publicDthough she sat upon a separate tribunal; This$ too$ 1as one of the most remar5able sights of the timeC Dio CDthe appropriate steps 1ere ta5en to secure %ero8s accessionC Tacitus