when did livia drusilla become empress

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Who was Livia Drusilla?

Portrait bust of the empress Livia Drusilla, wife of Rome's first emperor Augustus and also maker of more than a few future emperors. (George E. Koronaios / CC BY-SA 4.0 ) Livia Drusilla was born on the 30th of January 58 BC and was the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus and his wife, Alfidia.

How did Livia become the Roman Empress?

She married Tiberius Claudius Nero around 43 BC, and they had two sons, Tiberius and Drusus. In 38 BC, she divorced Tiberius Claudius Nero and married the political leader Octavian. The Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus in 27 BC, effectively making him emperor. Livia then became the Roman empress.

Who were Livia and Tiberius Drusus?

The former was a Roman senator , and the adoptive son of Marcus Livius Drusus, the tribune of 91 BC. Around the time of Julius Caesar’s assassination , i.e., in 44 / 43 BC, Livia married Tiberius Claudius Nero, who is said to have been her cousin. In 42 BC, Livia gave birth to her first son, Tiberius.

Who was Livia of Miletus?

Livia (58 B.C. - A.D.29) was a long-lived, influential matriarchal figure in the early years of the Roman Principate. She was held up as an example of womanly virtue and simplicity.

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Who was the first empress of Rome?

LiviaLivia, the first Empress of Rome.

Was Livia a good empress?

Livia Drusilla (58 BCE - 29 CE) was the third wife of emperor Augustus of Rome, mother of emperor Tiberius, and grandmother of emperor Claudius. She was one of the great women in history who achieved prominence living in the shadow of a strong leader, serving silently as his advisor and confidant.

Who was Emperor Augustus wife?

Claudiam. 42 BC–40 BCScriboniam. 40 BC–38 BCLiviam. 38 BC–14 ADAugustus/Wife

Who was the most beautiful Roman empress?

Messalina was born in one of the patrician families close to the emperor Augustus. At only 15 years old she was already known for her extraordinary beauty and by order of Emperor Caligula she was married to Claudius, who in 41 AD., became emperor.

Who was emperor when Jesus died?

Tiberius Caesar AugustusTiberius Caesar Augustus (/taɪˈbɪəriəs/; 16 November 42 BC – 16 March AD 37) was the second Roman emperor....TiberiusPredecessorAugustusSuccessorCaligulaBorn16 November 42 BC Rome, Italy, Roman RepublicDied16 March AD 37 (aged 77) Misenum, Italy, Roman Empire12 more rows

What did Tacitus say about Livia?

In Tacitus' Annals, meanwhile, Livia is famously depicted as having great influence, to the extent where she "had the aged Augustus firmly under control—so much so that he exiled his only surviving grandson to the island of Planasia"; Tacitus goes on to call her "a real catastrophe to the nation as a mother, and to the ...

How long did the Roman Empire last?

The Roman Empire was founded when Augustus Caesar proclaimed himself the first emperor of Rome in 31BC and came to an end with the fall of Constantinople in 1453CE.

Why did Augustus exile his daughter?

After being forced into an abusive marriage with Tiberius by her father and Livia, she begins an affair with Iullus Antonius. He subsequently attempts to murder Augustus in order to free Julia from his dynastic plans, leading to her exile.

Who exiled his sister from Rome after she tried to have him killed?

Agrippina functioned as a behind-the-scenes advisor in the affairs of the Roman state via powerful political ties. She maneuvered her son Nero into the line of succession. Claudius became aware of her plotting, but died in 54; it was rumoured that Agrippina poisoned him....Agrippina the YoungerMotherAgrippina the Elder11 more rows

Who was the most loved Roman emperor?

Augustus Augustus' enormous personal power, won though bloody struggle, meant he had no rivals. The 200-year Pax Romana began. Augustus conquered Egypt and Dalmatia and its northern neighbours. The Empire grew south and east in Africa; north and east into Germania and south-west in Spain.

Who was the most powerful Roman woman?

The "callous and menacing" Agrippina the Younger (AD 16–59), Augustus's great-granddaughter, was a hand-picked empress. Hand-picked by herself, as it turned out. A brilliant and ruthless opportunist, she used her lineage and her son Nero to make herself the most powerful woman in Roman history.

What is a female Caesar called?

kaisarissaThe feminine form was kaisarissa.

How did Livia Drusilla influence Rome?

Livia Drusilla, also called (from ad 14) Julia Augusta, (born January 30, 58 bc—died ad 29), Caesar Augustus's devoted and influential wife who counseled him on affairs of state and who, in her efforts to secure the imperial succession for her son Tiberius, was reputed to have caused the deaths of many of his rivals, ...

Why was the family important in Roman society?

Family was an important part of Ancient Roman culture and society. Much of Roman law was written around protecting the basic structure of the family. The family you belonged to had a lot to do with your place in Roman society and whether you were considered a patrician or a plebeian.

Who was Tiberius' mother?

Augustus: Rise to power. > Livia Drusilla .…. Tiberius: Background and youth. His mother, the beautiful Livia Drusilla, was her husband’s cousin and may have been only 13 years old when Tiberius was born.

Who is Julia Augusta?

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Livia Drusilla, also called (from ad 14) Julia Augusta, (born January 30, 58 bc —died ad 29), Caesar Augustus ’s devoted ...

Who gave his allegiance to Julius Caesar?

In the civil wars following the assassination of Julius Caesar, the elder Tiberius gave his allegiance to Mark Antony, Caesar’s protégé. When Augustus, Caesar’s grandnephew and heir,…. Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus.

Who was Claudianus' father?

Her father was Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus, an adoptive son of the tribune of 91, Marcus Livius Drusus.

What was Julia Augusta's role in the cult?

After the death of Augustus (Aug. 19, ad 14), she was adopted in his will and assumed the name Julia Augusta; she played a major role in the cult of the deified Augustus. Livia’s power and ambition proved embarrassing to Tiberius after his accession.

Who was the Emperor who deified Livia?

Livia's grandson the Emperor Claudius had the Senate deify his grandmother in A.D. 41. Commemorating this event, Claudius minted a coin depicting Livia ( Diva Augusta) on a throne holding a scepter. Source. Larry Kreitzer "Apotheosis of the Roman Emperor" Larry Kreitzer The Biblical Archaeologist, 1990.

Who is the Empress of Rome?

Empress of Rome Livia Drusilla. N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. Livia (58 B.C. - A.D.29) was a long-lived, influential matriarchal figure in the early years of the Roman Principate.

Where did Alfidia come from?

In his book , Anthony Barrett says Alfidia appears to have come from Fundi, in Latium, near Campania, and that Marcus Livius Drusus may have married her for her family's money. Livia Drusilla may have been an only child. Her father may also have adopted Marcus Livius Drusus Libo (consul in 15 B.C.).

Who was Livia married to?

Livia married Tiberius Claudius Nero, her cousin when she was 15 or 16—around the time of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.

Who was Livia's son's successor?

He wanted to name Germanicus, son of Livia's son Drusus, as his successor, but Germanicus was too young. Since Tiberius was Livia's favorite, Augustus eventually turned to him, with provision made for Tiberius to adopt Germanicus as his heir. Augustus died in 14 A.D.

Who interceded with Tiberius?

In A.D. 20, Julia Augusta interceded successfully with Tiberius on behalf of her friend Plancina, who was implicated in the poisoning of Germanicus. In A.D. 22 he minted coins showing his mother as the personification of Justice, Piety, and Health (Salus).

Was Livia a murderer?

Her reputation has also been negative: she may have been a murderer and has been described as treacherous, avaricious, and power-hungry. She may have been instrumental in the banishment of Augustus' daughter, Julia. Livia was the wife of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, mother of the second, Tiberius, and deified by her grandson, ...

How did Livia influence Tiberius?

Still, Livia's influence often counted with Tiberius in times of discord. She was able to persuade him to show clemency to her friend Plancina who was accused of conspiring to assassinate Augustus's great-grandson Germanicus. In another case, Tacitus tells us that Tiberius did not want to deny his mother, so he promised to appear in court to defend a friend of hers, then took a very slow walk to court and arrived too late. Amazingly, Tacitus, who takes a very dim view of Tiberius, thinks this a smart ploy and reports that the Roman populace thought so too. There must have been a contemporary consensus that simply saying no to Livia was not to be contemplated.

What did Livia's early life resemble?

Livia's early life presumably resembled that led by most young girls in the politically and economically elite circles of the Empire. Many of them were acquainted with rhetoric and philosophy, rather than restricted to the rudiments of literacy. Later some had literary interests, or, at least, joined the cultural avant garde of Roman society. But whatever education had been provided Livia, she displayed no later interest in taking up with a racy intellectual or artistic crowd. That helped to safeguard her reputation for both chastity and Roman traditionalism and made her a striking contrast to women like Augustus's granddaughter Julia.

Why did Livia and Claudius flee Rome?

In 40 B.C.E. Livia and Claudius had to flee Rome because Claudius had chosen to support Lucius Antonius, the enemy of Octavian, in the war in Perusia.

Why did Tiberius avoid Livia?

Suetonius claims that "Tiberius then complained that his mother Livia vexed him by wanting to be co-ruler of the Empire, " and he therefore avoided her. "Although he did occasionally need and follow Livia's advice, he disliked people to think of him as giving it serious consideration." He became especially angry when a blaze broke out near the temple of Vesta, and she took charge of crowd control and firefighting, "directing the populace and soldiery in person, as though Augustus were still alive."

What was the family crisis in 5 B.C.?

Tiberius, who had served Augustus and Rome loyally at some personal cost, was distressed to witness popular affection for the two attractive young grandsons as well as a clamor in the streets calling for them to be allowed to hold political offices at an illegally early age. Never having aroused such popular enthusiasm, Tiberius now felt rejection. He understood an assignment in Armenia to be an effort to get him out of Rome and consolidate opinion behind Gaius and Lucius, and perhaps it was. Though his mother appealed to him to relent, Tiberius refused to work for the regime anymore. Infuriated, Augustus agreed to let him go to Rhodes for postgraduate study in philosophy, but Livia realized, as Tiberius did not, how precarious his position was. A good general was either loyal to the emperor or dead. In 1 B.C., perhaps at his mother's urging, Tiberius did ask Augustus if he might return to Rome, but Augustus's reply was hostile. Desperately afraid for her son, Livia secured an appointment for Tiburius as ambassador to Rhodes to mask from the public his complete estrangement from his imperial step-father. When Gaius, Augustus's older grandson and heir apparent, began speculating openly about Tiberius's fate, Livia became frantic. Augustus, given to letting Livia have her way in almost everything, drew the line. He said that it was up to Gaius to let Tiberius return. Finally, in 2 A.D., he did, but Tiberius was ordered, as a condition, to withdraw from political life.

What happened to Livia in the Civil War?

After the battle of Philippi, her father, who had fought for the Republic against the Second Triumvirate (Lepidus, Marc Antony, and Octavian), committed suicide rather than undergo the indignity of flight. But Livia, along with her infant son Tiberius and her husband, who had also fought in the battle, were fugitives. In their flight to join Sextus Pompey's forces in Sicily, they were nearly captured on two occasions when the child began crying and almost betrayed their presence. It must have been terrifying for Livia at 16 to be running for her life and to have her infant son twice snatched from her and stuffed away where his cries could not be heard.

What was Livia's role in Augustus's life?

Acting as a moral example of her husband's imperial ideology, she served Augustus as helpmate, sounding-board, conveyor of messages-off-the-record and as foster mother to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

How did Livia Drusilla become known as an Emperor Maker?

Top image: Livia Drusilla became known as an emperor maker by maneuvering her sons into power. Source: burnel11 / Adobe Stock

When did Livia Drusilla die?

Livia Drusilla died in 29 AD, but only received posthumous honors much later, during the reign of Claudius. Portrait bust of the empress Livia Drusilla, wife of Rome's first emperor Augustus and also maker of more than a few future emperors. (George E. Koronaios / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Why did Livia plot the death of Augustus?

According to Dio, there were rumors that Livia was afraid that Augustus would soon bring his grandson back, and therefore she plotted the emperor’s death. Dio also provides a colorful story of how Livia poisoned her husband,

Why was Livia accused of having a hand in Marcellus' death?

The Roman historian Cassius Dio reports that Livia was accused of having a hand in Marcellus’ death, because Augustus favored his son-in-law more than her sons. Dio, however, also casts doubt on these accusations, noting that there was a plague in Rome that year, and that many people died of it.

Why did Tiberius not attend his mother's funeral?

In 29 AD, Livia fell ill again and died. This time, however, Tiberius remained at Capri, and did not attend his mother’s funeral, allegedly because he was busy with the affairs of state. Instead, he sent Caligula, the son of his nephew, Germanicus, to deliver the funeral oration.

How many sons did Livia have?

Through this first marriage, Livia had two sons, Tiberius, and Drusus. Whilst the former succeeded Augustus as emperor, the latter’s descendants also became emperors. As a matter of fact, all the emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, apart from Augustus, are descended from Livia.

How did Gaius die?

Dio records that Gaius died at Limyra, whilst he was journeying back from Armenia, after falling ill from a wound. Lucius, on the other hand, died of a sudden illness whilst he was in Massilia. Once again, Livia was suspected of having a hand in the deaths of Augustus’ heirs. Dio, for instance, reports that “In connexion with both deaths, therefore, suspicion attached to Livia, and particularly because it was just at this time that Tiberius returned to Rome from Rhodes .” Another Roman historian, Tacitus, also entertains the idea that Gaius and Lucius were victims of Livia’s plotting, “untimely fate, or the treachery of their stepmother Livia, cut off both Lucius and Caius Caesar, Lucius on his road to the Spanish armies, Caius — wounded and sick — on his return from Armenia.”

Who was the first Roman emperor to marry Livia Drusilla?

Livia Drusilla was first married to Tiberius Claudius Nero (thought to be in 43 BC) and gave birth to future Emperor Tiberius in 42 BC. She later became the third and final wife of Emperor Augustus of the Roman Empire.

Who was the Roman historian who claimed that Augustus was not influenced by Livia Drusilla?

Livia Drusilla would claim not to have that much influence over Augustus, but according to the Roman historian Tacitus, this was not so.

How long was Livia married to Augustus?

They would remain married for 51 years. Livia was known to be a faithful and reliable but quiet supporter of her husband.

Why did Tiberius stay in Capri?

Tiberius rushed home to be by her side when she fell ill in 22 AD, but when she died in 29 AD, he remained in Capri where he had self-exiled himself to citing too much work. Many argue that her domineering nature was the cause of his exile. He would veto any and all honours of his mother after her death.

Who was the grandmother of Claudius?

She was then named Diva Augusta in Latin (The Divine Augusta). A statue of her was also installed at the Temple of Augustus. Livia Drusilla would later become the grandmother of Emperor Claudius through her son Nero Claudius Drusus. She died at the age of 86 in 29 AD – eight years before her sons passing.

Who was the faithful and reliable wife of Augustus?

Livia was known to be a faithful and reliable but quiet supporter of her husband. Augustus respected her thoughts and opinions so much so that he would discuss things within the Empire with her, and because of this, many considered her influence as high on the Emperor.

Who adopted Tiberius as heir to the throne?

She was fearful that Augustus’ s biological grandsons would be the heir instead of one of her two sons. In 4 AD, Augustus adopted Tiberius and made him the heir. Upon Augustus’s death on 19 August 14 AD ...

How long did Livia influence Tiberius?

Livia continued to exert her influence over her son Tiberius until her death in A. D. 29 at the age of 85 years. It was probably because of her political acumen and ability to watch out for her son t hat the problems with the praetorian prefect Sejanus did not occur until two years before her death.

What comic is Livia in?

Livia appears in Neil Gaiman's comic "Distant Mirrors - August" collected in The Sandman: Fables and Reflections.

How did Tiberius and Livia get along?

For some time, Livia and her son Tiberius, the new Emperor, appeared to get along with each other. Speaking against her became treason in AD 20, and in AD 24 he granted his mother a theatre seat among the Vestal Virgins. Livia exercised unofficial but very real power in Rome. Eventually, Tiberius became resentful of his mother's political status, particularly against the idea that it was she who had given him the throne. At the beginning of the reign he vetoed the unprecedented title Mater Patriae ("Mother of the Fatherland") that the Senate wanted to bestow upon her, in the same manner in which Augustus had been named Pater Patriae ("Father of the Fatherland"). [5] (Tiberius also consistently refused the title of Pater Patriae for himself.)

What is the Livia in the Annals?

Livia in literature and popular culture Livia in ancient literature In Tacitus' Annals, Livia is depicted as having great influence, to the extent where she "had the aged Augustus firmly under control — so much so that he exiled his only surviving grandson to the island of Planasia".

When did Livia and Octavian get married?

On 14 January, the child was born. Octavian and Livia married on 17 January, waiving the traditional waiting period. Tiberius Claudius Nero was present at the wedding, giving her in marriage "just as a father would." [7] .

What is Livia's personality?

Livia's personality While reporting various unsavoury hearsay, the ancient sources generally portray Livia (Julia Augusta) as a woman of proud and queenly attributes, faithful to her imperial husband, for whom she was a worthy consort, forever poised and dignified. With consummate skill she acted out the roles of consort, mother, widow and dowager. Dio records two of her utterances: "Once, when some naked men met her and were to be put to death in consequence, she saved their lives by saying that to a chaste woman such men are in no way different from statues. When someone asked her how she had obtained such a commanding influence over Augustus, she answered that it was by being scrupulously chaste herself, doing gladly whatever pleased him, not meddling with any of his affairs, and, in particular, by pretending neither to hear or nor to notice the favourites of his passion." [26]

What happened to Julia Augusta after Augustus died?

Life after Augustus Augustus died in AD 14, being deified by the senate shortly afterwards. In his will, he left one third of his property to Livia, and the other two thirds to the successor Tiberius. In the will, he also adopted her into the Julian family, thus turning her into a patrician, and granted her the honorific title of Augusta. These dispositions permitted her to maintain her status and power after his death, under the name of Julia Augusta.

Who is Livia Drusilla?

In the famous 1976 adaptation of Robert Graves' novel I, Claudius, Sian Phillips' Livia Drusilla is an acid-tongued schemer (Credit: Alamy) The novelist Robert Graves drew on both their accounts when he wrote I, Claudius, his gripping novel about the family, told from the perspective of Livia's stuttering grandson, Emperor Claudius.

What does Livia remind him of?

As Livia reminds him, they each have something to gain from a partnership, in his case a connection to her illustrious family, in hers a chance to re-establish her wealth and status following her flight from Italy. The real Livia must have had a similar strength of character.

Why did Livia help Augustus?

Since Livia had no surviving children by Augustus, it was down to Tiberius to ensure that her blood flowed through what would become the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Where did Livia and her husband flee?

The historians record that the young family sought refuge in Sicily and Greece.

What was Livia's interest in Augustus' work?

For Robert Graves, as for the ancient historians, Livia's interest in her husband's work amounted to interference and control : "Everyone knew that Livia kept Augustus in strict order and that, if not actually frightened of her, he was at any rate very careful not to offend her," reports Claudius in I, Claudius.

What was Livia known for?

That’s where Livia came in. Unlike the seductive Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, Livia was known for chaste and modest public behavior. (At least, after she married Augustus.)

Who was the first empress of Rome?

This was especially the case for Rome’s first empress, Livia Drusilla, the wife of Augustus Caesar. She comes down to us as a sort of wicked step-monster of the Julio-Claudian family–one who murders, manipulates and maligns everyone who gets in her way. The ancient writers didn’t much like her.

How long did Livia and her husband have a marriage?

Known to advise her husband on political matters, Livia enjoyed a marriage with him of more than fifty years. Especially tricky, considering that she never gave him a child and he rather desperately needed an heir. I can’t point to a single documented event in which Livia did an evil deed.

Who did Livia murder?

At various points, she’s been accused of murdering Marcellus, Drusus, Germanicus, Posthumous and even Augustus himself. In my novel, she offers Cleopatra Selene a poisoned cup. But was Livia really such a she-devil? Her biographer, Anthony Barrett, paints a picture of a much maligned mother of the empire.

Did Livia do an evil deed?

I can’t point to a single documented event in which Livia did an evil deed. Her worst crime, it seems, was to have lived for so long, and exerted such power over the empire as the wife or ancestress of every Julio-Claudian emperor.

Was Livia a goddess?

She was a veritable goddess of domesticity, our Livia. And one who supposedly eschewed expensive jewelry, claiming that her children were the only jewels she needed. In spite of all this puritanical posturing, Livia was, nonetheless, associated with sexual scandal.

Was Livia a poisoner?

That made me wonder if such girls came from within the emperor’s own household and included vulnerable orphans like Cleopatra Selene. Livia was also rumored to be a poisoner.

Livia's Family and Marriages

Augustus Adopts Livia's Son

• Octavian became the Emperor Augustusin 27 B.C. He honored Livia as his wife with statues and public displays; however, instead of naming her sons Drusus or Tiberius as his heirs, he acknowledged his grandchildren Gaius and Lucius, sons of Julia, his daughter by his previous marriage to Scribonia. By 4 A.D., Augustus' grandsons had both died, so he ...

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Livia and Her Descendants