Julia Agrippina Agrippina Minor

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Julia Agrippina(Agrippina Minor)

• The first death under the new emperor, that of
  Julius Silanus, proconsul of Asia, was without
  Neros knowledge, planned by treachery of
  Agrippina having contrived the murder of his
  brother, dreaded his vengeance Tacitus,
  Book XIII

Alexandra S. 1/11/02 Power Point Presentation Mr.
Burnett, H
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Family Background

• Born in 15 A.D., Julia Agrippina was the daughter
  of Agrippina the Elder (Major) and Germanicus
  sister of Caligula niece of Claudius and
  great-grand-daughter of Augustus.
• Banished by her brother Caligula for taking part
  in conspiracy against him returned from exile
  after Claudius comes to power.
• By the time her son Nero came to power, she had
  lived through three terrible reigns, Tiberius,
  Caligula, and Claudius.

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Marriages

• Domitius Ahenobarbus-grandnephew of Augustus, and
  Neros father
• Passienus Crispus-Agrippina rumored to have
  poisoned she inherited his wealth
• Claudius-married in 49 A.D. made her empress
  formed a political alliance

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Ambition

• 1st goal-to become the wife of Claudius
• 2nd goal-to get rid of his son Brittanicus
• 3rd goal-to make Nero, by adoption, heir to the
  Empire, turning him into an Alexander

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Augusta

• 1st wife of a living Emperor to be awarded the
  title of Augusta in 50 A.D.
• Had important distinction of participating in
  daily salutatio
• Made sure her portrait appeared on statues
  through the empire
• Arranged for a colonia to be established at her
  birthplace, Ara Ubiorum, on the Rhine River
  (Later called Cologne)

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Coinage

• The coinage of the 3 reigns-Caligula, Claudius,
  Nero-associated with Agrippina show the role
  given to the living sister, wife, and mother of
  these emperors.
• Gold and silver coins showed the name and
  portrait of Agrippina during Claudiuss reign no
  rulers wife had ever been given such honors
  before.
• With Agrippina on the coins, Claudiuss
  achievements were not emphasized.

Agrippina and sisters
Agrippina and Claudius
Agrippina and Nero
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Allies

• Principle ally was Seneca, the Roman philosopher,
  writer, statesman, and loyal tutor to Agrippinas
  son Nero.
• Forged alliances with sympathetic members of the
  senate and even the Praetorian guard remained
  loyal during her whole life.
• Had her friend Burrus appointed commander of the
  Praetorian guard.
• Pallas- freedman and chief supporter who told
  Claudius of her suitability to be his wife and
  Nero his adopted son.

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Reign of Terror

• Claudiuss health is weakened, allowing Agrippina
  to establish a reign of terror.
• Claudius decided to put an end to her power and
  stop her plans for Nero.
• Agrippina feared this change in Claudius she was
  more determined then ever and did not wait any
  longer for Neros succession to the throne.
• Agrippina fed Claudius poisonous mushrooms.

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Mother in Charge

• Powerful influence behind throne in first years
  of Neros reign-played the role of regent, or co-
  ruler, by administering his affairs, and
  receiving embassies.
• Had her image engraved beside his own on imperial
  coins.
• When Nero fell for Poppaea, wife of Otho,
  Agrippina tried to prevent Nero from divorcing
  his wife Octavia.

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Decline of Power

• Deterioration of Agrippina and Neros
  relationship.
• Nero, himself, wanted independence from his
  mothers plotting and interference in his state
  and personal business.
• In the coinage of A.D. 55, Agrippina is clearly
  behind Nero after A.D. 55, her head and name
  never appear on Roman coinage again.

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Removal from Court

• Seneca and Burrus start to conspire to win
  Agrippinas administration powers from her by
  getting Nero to believe that she is getting too
  powerful.
• Agrippina is enraged that Nero wants to take her
  powers and says that Brittanicus is the true heir
  to the throne.
• Agrippina retires to her villa and writes a
  vindictive book called Memoirs about all her
  enemies.

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Plots to Kill Agrippina

• Poppaea won Nero over and made him believe that
  Agrippina was plotting his downfall.
• Nero tried to poison Agrippina three times
  without success.
• Next attempt involved a collapsible ceiling or a
  collapsible cabin-boat, and an accidental boat
  collision.

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Her End

• Final and drastic attempt to murder Agrippina
  after her escape occurs in March 59 AD.
• Nero accuses Agrippinas freedman of attempting
  to kill him-becomes excuse for killing his
  mother.
• Nero sends Anicetus to actually kill Agrippina,
  and she yells strike here! pointing to her womb
  (Tacitus, Annals XIII).

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Agrippinas Impact

• The quinquennium Neronis, the five good years
  of Neros reign were due in part to Agrippina.
• She received more of an open formal role in
  Claudiuss government than any woman before her.
• No women of later dynasties tried to claim the
  official status as co-regent.

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Agrippinas Impact (contd)

• Agrippina represents an essential stage in the
  evolution of the imperial system(Barrett1996,
  195)
• She was the last woman to play a dominant role in
  Roman political life for 150 years.
• In 1993, the citizens of Cologne, Germany, the
  colonia Agrippina had been associated with,
  reinstated her place of honor by erecting a
  statue to her in the town hall.

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Bibliography

• Agrippina the Younger. The Biographies.
  1995-2001. ThinkQuest, Inc. 2 Nov. 2001.
  http//library.Thinkquest. org/11402/bio_agrippin
  a.html. A good concise overview of the
  highlights of Agrippinas life to her death
  quick and easy.
• Barrett, Anthony A. Agrippina Sex, Power, and
  Politics in the Early Roman Empire. Yale
  University Press New Haven, 1996. A great
  book about Agrippinas life, organized
  according to her changing roles in the imperial
  family. Most of the titles of the chapters,
  show Agrippina in relation to the man in power.
• Crane, Gregory, ed. Greek and Roman Materials.
  Dept. of Classics, Tufts Univ. 11 Dec. 2001.
  http//www.perseus.tufts.edu/.

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Bibliography (contd)

• A great source for Roman coins with names of
  who or what is on the coin and whether it is
  obverse or reverse.
• Grant, Michael. Emperor in Revolt Nero.
  American Heritage Press New York, 1970. Very
  comprehensive book on Nero, which includes four
  complete and useful chapters on Agrippina, from
  her birth and exile to her marriages, to her
  rise and influence, and he death. Many
  excellent and full- paged illustrations,
  including coins in black and white and in color.
  
• Tacitus. The Annals. 109 A.C.E. Alfred John
  Church and William Jackson trans. Book XIII.
  11 Nov 2001. http//classics.
  mit.edu/tacitus/annals.9.xiii.html. A good
  source for quotes, as well as a good description
  of the beginning of Neros accession and
  Agrippinas influence.