Agrippina the Younger Case

Agrippina the Younger attained a level of power in first-century Rome unprecedented for a woman. Assess how she gained this power and how she used it.

Introduction

Agrippina the younger was one of the most influential women of her time. She achieved powers and honours, previously unachievable by Roman women. She possessed a prestigious linage through birth and marriage which she used to gain influence upon the political scene. Agrippina was the great-granddaughter of the great Augustus, daughter of Germanicus - said to be the reincarnation of Apollo himself, sister of an emperor (Caligula), wife of an emperor (Claudius), and mother of an emperor (Nero). However Leadbetter notes "Agrippina was born to power and also to its shadow" and this is reflected in her rise and downfall. Ancient sources paint her as a sinister, villainous woman who used sexual exploitation and murder to feed her insatiable lust for power. Tactitus accuses her of plotting against her brother, murdering two husbands, one of which was an Emperor, and sleeping with her son to control him. However, much of the treachery attributed to her may be little more than the ancient writers embellishing popular rumours biased by the patriarchal culture in which they lived. Many modern scholars cast a different light upon her contributions arguing that as a politically ambitious woman in a monarchical structure, she used the only source of power available to her - proximity to male power. They argue that her contribution, when judged by her achievements, rather than by her personality or character, is overall a positive one.

Agrippina, her power and her uses of it in Ancient and Modern Sources

Sources from ancient historians tend to be more unsympathetic towards Agrippina because she was a woman and she stepped outside the traditional role of a Roman matriarch. The ancient sources, mainly Tacitus, Suetonius and Dio, depict and write of Agrippina the Younger as a cruel and treacherous ruler who would stretch the tenuous power of women to limits unseen before. Tacitus describes her as a woman having a "masculine despotism". In contrast to this, modern historians take into account the context of her time and view her with a more neutral approach.

Modern interpretations of Agrippina such as Bauman, Barrett and Hurley present her as a woman of determination, skill and power. A woman able to dominate her husband and able to achieve what was thought impossible for a woman of her time. Barrett acknowledges that "Agrippina was the product of her society: a monarchical system will encourage any sort of behaviour, no matter how cruel, in pursuit of the all-important succession of one's own blood line, while a political system that gives females no official voice will oblige intelligent women to learn devious and manipulative behaviour in order to act through others." (cited in Wood, 2011, p.1)

Early Life and Influences

When Agrippina the Younger was born at Oppidum Ubiorum, she came into a very strong and prominent bloodline. Tactitus describes her heritage as "exceptionally illustrious" pointing to her dynastic connections to both the Julian and Claudian lines, Rome's two greatest families. Agrippina's birth to the popular and well- connected Germanicus , and his wife Agrippina the Elder ensured a great status and reputation for Agrippina. Her father Germanicus was cherished by the people in Rome, and was portrayed in glowing terms by ancient sources such as Suetonius. Suetonius described Germanicus as "a remarkable example of filial respect and determination "handsome, courageous... (and had a) capacity for winning respect and inspiring affection". This skill was passed on to Agrippina and served her well in navigating her treacherous rise. Having a father with such high ranks in his legion of the Roman army acted as a huge power base for Agrippina even at the young age of four as it offered protection after her father's death in 19 AD, and Agrippina had the loyalties of the army behind her.

Germanicus' sudden death caused much public grief in Rome. Agrippina the Younger was subsequently brought up by her mother, her paternal grandmother Antonia Minor, and her great-grandmother, Livia, all of them remarkable, influential, and powerful women from whom she learnt how to think and how to survive in a male dominated intrigue of early Rome's ruling houses.

Agrippina's marriages

Agrippina the Younger's three marriages were important in her rise to prominence as they all aided her political advancement; protected her from enemies, brought her fortune and eventually, power in government.

Agrippina's First Marriage

At the age of 13 Agrippina was married to the 30 year old Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus - a man described as a "wholly despicable character" (Suetonius). The marriage was arranged by Tiberius and was described by Leadbetter as "a match to benefit the family". Arranged marriages were standard practice for all families of prominence and a matter of state business for the ruling house. With Her marriage, came protection for Agrippina and her siblings from those plotting against the family. Ahenobarbus was wealthy and had political connections, providing an opportunity for Agrippina to build a support base. In AD37 Agrippina gave birth to her first and only child, Nero, born as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus.

During this time Agrippina and her two sisters Drusilla and Livilla, received various honours from their brother Caligua when he became the new Emperor following Tiberius' death. The young emperor had little family to support him and so he elevated and honoured all he could muster - his uncle Claudius and his three sisters. The sisters were included in the annual vows taken publicly by the people of Rome each year "I will not value my life or that of my children less highly than I do the emperor Gaius and his sisters...Good fortune attend the emperor Gaius and his sisters." - Suetonius. The sisters' images were included on coins. This is unparalleled and portrays the great distinction given to the sisters; the fact they appeared as god-like figures emphasises their importance to Rome and the principate. The sisters took turns occupying the traditional wife's position at the Emperor's table. This prompted rumours of incest. But the favourable treatment soon ended. Details are unclear, but Agrippina was sent into exile on islands off the coast of southern Italy. In January 40, Agripinna's first husband Domitius died of