The Palatine
(9 threads, 2156 posts)
 Agrippina
General Thread
|
all about agie
The Relationship Between Nero and Agrippina
The relationship between Nero and Agrippina has been analyzed and studied for years. However, it is still uncertain exactly how much of the corruption, manipulation, and incest surrounding these two is fact, and how much is fiction. Most Historians argue that there is evidence to prove that Agrippina was a foul manipulative temptress, but recently a few individuals have challenged this argument.
Traditionally the story of Agrippina that is told is that of how her plan finally succeeded and Nero became Emperor at the age of only 17. Nero, was young and inexperienced and as the story goes, and Agrippina manipulated him so much that she basically ran the empire from behind the scenes. She supposedly used Nero as a pawn, influencing him with acts of a sexual nature, as well as controlling him psychologically, and taking advantage of his young age and vulnerability. There is evidence to support that at one point in time Agrippina was the most powerful person in Rome. Those who support this idea argue that this manipulation eventually drove Nero crazy, and this is why he ended up ordering her murder.
This story is believable and has been accepted for centuries, but in order to present a non-biased examination of the relationship of these two it is important to examine the other side of the story as well. Those who support this side of the story claim that it was recorded by men living in a time period that did not approve of women having power or being in the spotlight. Consequently, they argue that the story of Agrippina’s role is biased and has been blown out of proportion. They admit that she possibly had some influence over Nero’s reign when he was young, but just until he was able to get his feet on the ground and know what he was doing. This side of the story also does not deny that Agrippina manipulated those around her to get what she wanted using cunning plans. The basic point of this side of the story is that Agrippina’s character, as well as her relationship with Nero has been exaggerated. It is not uncommon for history to exaggerate stories to make them more interesting and memorable, and who is to say that this isn’t what happened with Agrippina? It is very possible that Agrippina is portrayed in a negative light based on a few things she did that have been blown out of proportion. The fact that her mother, Agrippina the Elder, is also portrayed in a negative manner, does not help Agrippina the younger out. It is believable that some of the negative controversy surrounding Agrippina the Elder’s scandalous acts was passed down unjustly to her daughter Julia Agrippina.
Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure which side of the story is correct. Perhaps we will never know the real truth of what went on in the relationship between Agrippina and Nero, but what we can do is consider all sides of the story with an open mind and then make our own conclusions based on the evidence we have.
*Source:
Barrett, Anthony. Agrippina: Sex, Power, and the Politics in the Early Empire. Yale University Press, 1996.
Germanicus, father of Agrippina.
Nero was one of the most infamous emperors in Roman times, but behind every great emperor there is a great mother. In this case, Agrippina the younger was the source of power and strength for her famous son Nero. "It is possible, as Tacitus says, that marriage with Claudius was the height of Agrippina’s ambition, but it is also possible that it was an act of supreme self-sacrifice on the part of a woman who had been educated in the tradition of the Roman aristocracy, and who therefore considered herself merely a means to the political advancement of her relatives and her children" (Ferrero 276). Agrippina led a life filled with scandal and controversy, and she was well known for her relentless scheming. Perhaps this outrageous lifestyle ran in the family. Growing up under the influence of her mother, Agrippina the elder, Julia learned to mimic the ambition and deceit modeled by her mother’s behavior.
Julia Agrippina the younger was born on November 6 in 15 B.C.E. in Ara Ubiorum. She was of Roman heritage and born a free woman. For most of her childhood she lived in Rome in the house of her father, Germanicus. Upon her mother’s arrest in 28, Agrippina now thirteen, went to live in the house of Livia. Later that year, she was married to her first husband Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. Domitius did not have appealing qualities as a man, but was very wealthy. He was known for his foul temper and dishonesty. This was not the best match considering Agrippina’s disposition and strong will. However, in 37 the two had a son Nero Claudius Caesar, that later would become emperor of Rome during her third marriage. In 41 Domitius died, and shortly afterwards Agrippina married Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus, who she later allegedly poisoned in 47. In 49, she married her third husband and uncle Tiberius Claudius Caesar after the Senate removed the prohibition against the legal marriage between uncle and niece. Using her cunning tactics Agrippina persuaded Claudius to adopt Nero in 50, making Nero one of his two sons, and heir to the throne in place of his own son Britannicus. In 54 Claudius died, possibly as a result of being poisoned by Agrippina, and Nero claimed the throne.
When Nero became emperor he was only seventeen, and could not legally rule so for the first year of his reign Agrippina basically ran the empire until he was of legal age. She was the first woman in the history of Rome to be given the title of empress. Her picture later appeared on coins with her son; she was the first woman of the imperial household to be pictured on coins while she was still alive. Agrippina had a powerful influence over Nero while he ruled, but eventually he grew tired of her, and plotted to have her killed. His first plan was to have a boat she was on sink and have her drowned. He sent her out on the Bay of Naples in a ship, the ship was supposed to collapse, however when it did she managed swam to safety unharmed except for a shoulder wound. When Nero discovered this he sent a group of naval officers to kill her. The officers found her in her bed where they used clubs and swords to finish the deed.
Perhaps this was a justifiable death for Agrippina, whose own life had been filled with corruption, and devious plotting and acts. However, in spite of this, she was a very influential woman in ancient Rome and should be recognized for her accomplishments. She did abuse her power and manipulate people, but for the most part her goal was to ensure her family bloodline, as well as the success of her son Nero.
Agrippina's alleged lovers:
Caligula, her brother
Aemilius Lepidus, husband of her late sister
Tigellinus, later prefect of the guard
Seneca, her son's tutor
Claudius, her uncle before their marriage
Faenius Rufus, later prefect of the guard
Pallas, the freedman
Aulus Plautius, young nobleman
Rubellius Plautus, son of Julia, Granddaughter of Tiberius
Nero, her son
Coin Portrait of the Empress Agrippina the younger
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greek Imperial Coin, Seleucis and Pieria
Nero (A.D. 54-68) and Agrippina (A.D. 16-59)
AR Tetradrachm
Diameter 26 mm.; weight 14.2 g.
Mint of Antioch
Date of issue: A.D. 50-54
Description of reverse: Bust of Agrippina, facing right. Greek inscription with name and title of Agrippina; year of emperor's reign.
(Acc. no. 60.44)
The actual size of the coin is 26 mm.
Claudius, Agrippina's third husband and one of her alleged victims.
Agrippina's alleged victims:
Passienus, her second husband, poisoned
Calpurnia, distinuished woman admired by Claudius, banished and later executed.
Lollia Paulina, ex-wife of Caligula, candidate for marriage to Claudius, executed
Titus Statilius Taurus, consul in 44ad, forced into suicide
Domitia Lepida, mother of Messalina and sister-in-law of Agrippina, executed
Claudius, her husband, poisoned
Marcus Junius Silanus, potential rivil to Nero, poisoned
Britannicus, stepson, poisoned
Junia Silana, enemy of Agrippina, exiled
Calvisius and Iturius, clients of Junia Silana, exiled
Atimetus, freedman of Domitia Lepida, executed
|
1 Posts Viewing 1 - 1 |
An interesting side note on Britannicus' death - ( * Julilla Sempronius )|
1 Posts Viewing 1 - 1 |
