Agrippina the Younger -Rome a symbol of strength
AGRIPPINA THE YOUNGER
Rome a symbol of strength, empowerment and prosperity for many, leaving no doubt in modern historians thoughts that this utopia was one of the most prominent of the ancient era’s. One dynasty within this epoch stands out, as being one of the most provocative and influential was the Julio-Claudian dynasty. This period was introduced with the instigation of the emperor Julio Augustus, known as one of the most appreciated emperors in Roman history. After Augustus came the rulers Tiberius, Gaius Germanicus (Caligula), Claudius and Nero. With every new ruler the amount of power and wealth in the city swelled, some even say that it was the golden age of Roman literature and arts. Each of these power broker’s have one person in common, apart from imperial extravagance and notoriety, they all have felt the sting of Julia Agrippina’s manipulative powers (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013). When studying Agrippina it is found that many of the sources do not retain a sympathetic view of the During the Julio-Claudian era Agrippina the younger only retained her power through the manipulation of her son, husband and peers. By doing this she made herself on the most powerful women in Rome.
Growing up with the most loved general in Rome at that time, Agrippina was destined for greatness. In her teenage years the regrettable incident of her fathers passing occurred and the empire was left to Tiberius, during this time she was betrothed to Domitius Ahenobarbus, which she eventually bore a child with called Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. Most sources state that she was forced into this marriage by the emperor Tiberius, a fact that is acknowledged by modern historian Donna Hurley when she states that Agrippina’s union with Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus was arranged by Tiberius. After this Hurley then goes on to state that it was practice for families of prominence in the ruling house to have the emperor arrange their marriages, which would explain why
Rome a symbol of strength, empowerment and prosperity for many, leaving no doubt in modern historians thoughts that this utopia was one of the most prominent of the ancient era’s. One dynasty within this epoch stands out, as being one of the most provocative and influential was the Julio-Claudian dynasty. This period was introduced with the instigation of the emperor Julio Augustus, known as one of the most appreciated emperors in Roman history. After Augustus came the rulers Tiberius, Gaius Germanicus (Caligula), Claudius and Nero. With every new ruler the amount of power and wealth in the city swelled, some even say that it was the golden age of Roman literature and arts. Each of these power broker’s have one person in common, apart from imperial extravagance and notoriety, they all have felt the sting of Julia Agrippina’s manipulative powers (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013). When studying Agrippina it is found that many of the sources do not retain a sympathetic view of the During the Julio-Claudian era Agrippina the younger only retained her power through the manipulation of her son, husband and peers. By doing this she made herself on the most powerful women in Rome.
Growing up with the most loved general in Rome at that time, Agrippina was destined for greatness. In her teenage years the regrettable incident of her fathers passing occurred and the empire was left to Tiberius, during this time she was betrothed to Domitius Ahenobarbus, which she eventually bore a child with called Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. Most sources state that she was forced into this marriage by the emperor Tiberius, a fact that is acknowledged by modern historian Donna Hurley when she states that Agrippina’s union with Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus was arranged by Tiberius. After this Hurley then goes on to state that it was practice for families of prominence in the ruling house to have the emperor arrange their marriages, which would explain why
Bibliography: Hurley.T/Medcalf.P/Murray.C/Rolph.J, 2008, Antiquity 2, Oxford, New York, pp. 278-306 Cassius. D, 1982, ‘Roman History’, W. Heinemann, Michigan, pp16-35 Tacitus, 2010, Tacitus’ Annals, Oxford, Michigan Roberts. P, 2003, Excel HSC Ancient History: book 2, Pascal Press Glebe, NSW, pp164 Hurley. D, 2013, ‘DIR. Agrippina the younger, De Imperatoribus Romanis, [online], http://www.roman-emperors.org/aggieii.htm Milani-Santarpia. G, unknown, ‘Emperor Nero’, Mariamilani, [online], http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/Emperor_Nero.htm The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013, ‘The Julio-Claudian Dynasty’, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, [online], http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jucl/hd_jucl.htm