Importance of Agrippina's family and marriages to her career
Importance of Agrippina’s family and her first two marriages to her career
Agrippina’s family background was the basis of her influence and power. Her family’s position of power enabled her to be more influential than most other women of her era. She was born of both Julian and Claudian bloodlines. She was a descendant of the Emperor Augustus, nice and later wife of Claudius, sister of Gaius and mother of Nero. Her mother, Agrippina the Elder, and father, Germanicus, were well respected figures in Roman society, which also contributed to her importance. Her first two marriages to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Gaius Sallutius Passienus Crispus, gave her the protection and wealth, which ensured her survival.
Agrippina the Elder was a determined, intelligent woman who sought support her husband and advance the careers of her sons. Agrippina the Elder was born in 14BC, to Julia and Agrippa. During her lifetime she had seen many of her family and friends suffer from persecution, but she maintained her opposition to Tiberius. It is suggested her brother, Gaius Caesar, was poisoned at the hands of Livia, leaving Augustus no other choice but to adopt Tiberius as his son and successor. Her other brother, Agrippa Postumus was exiled and killed shortly after the death of Augustus, and her mother Julia, was exiled to the Island of Pandateria, accused of being immoral. This is event is accounted for by Tacitus, who says “Her father Augustus had imprisoned her-for immorality-first on the Island of Pandateria…”.She was later moved to the town of Rhegium, where she died.
Agrippina the Elder was married to Germanicus, a proconsul and commander of German legions. Her marriage proved successful with six surviving children. After Germanicus had defeated the Germans with her support, he was sent to the East by Tiberius. Agrippina believed Germanicus was poisoned by Piso on Tiberius’ orders. Upon her arrival back in Rome, she publically complained about Germanicus’ death to
Agrippina’s family background was the basis of her influence and power. Her family’s position of power enabled her to be more influential than most other women of her era. She was born of both Julian and Claudian bloodlines. She was a descendant of the Emperor Augustus, nice and later wife of Claudius, sister of Gaius and mother of Nero. Her mother, Agrippina the Elder, and father, Germanicus, were well respected figures in Roman society, which also contributed to her importance. Her first two marriages to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Gaius Sallutius Passienus Crispus, gave her the protection and wealth, which ensured her survival.
Agrippina the Elder was a determined, intelligent woman who sought support her husband and advance the careers of her sons. Agrippina the Elder was born in 14BC, to Julia and Agrippa. During her lifetime she had seen many of her family and friends suffer from persecution, but she maintained her opposition to Tiberius. It is suggested her brother, Gaius Caesar, was poisoned at the hands of Livia, leaving Augustus no other choice but to adopt Tiberius as his son and successor. Her other brother, Agrippa Postumus was exiled and killed shortly after the death of Augustus, and her mother Julia, was exiled to the Island of Pandateria, accused of being immoral. This is event is accounted for by Tacitus, who says “Her father Augustus had imprisoned her-for immorality-first on the Island of Pandateria…”.She was later moved to the town of Rhegium, where she died.
Agrippina the Elder was married to Germanicus, a proconsul and commander of German legions. Her marriage proved successful with six surviving children. After Germanicus had defeated the Germans with her support, he was sent to the East by Tiberius. Agrippina believed Germanicus was poisoned by Piso on Tiberius’ orders. Upon her arrival back in Rome, she publically complained about Germanicus’ death to