The Selfish Livia

1. The Selfish Livia Establishing the Julian-Claudian Dynasty AlissaBelcastro

2. Early Life • Livia Drusilla born in 58 BCE • Born into the gens Claudia • Married Tiberius Claudius Nero in 46/5 BCE • Married into the gens Claudia

3. Before Octavian • Father committed suicide in 42 BCE • Fled Rome to be with her husband in 40 BCE • Returned to Rome in 39 BCE

4. Meeting Octavian • Met in 39 BCE • Both were married and expecting • Octavian divorced Scribonia in October • Octavian asked Tiberius Claudius Nero to divorce Livia – he obliged • Married in January of 38 BCE • Livia was still pregnant

5. Backseat to Octavia • Sister of Octavian • Octavian’s original political pawn • Original materfamilias of Rome

6. First Honors • In 35 BCE, Octavian grants honors to Octavia and Livia • No tutor • Allowed to be honored with statue • Sacrosancity • Livia was an afterthought

7. Death of Marcellus • Marcellus, son of Octavia, died in 23 BCE • Octavia “retires” from the political life • Livia becomes materfamilias • New opportunities for Tiberius and Drusus

8. Agrippa • Agrippa married Julia and became the next heir to Rome • Tiberius married Vipsania • Tiberius was now the stepson of Augustus and the son-in-law of Agrippa

9. Competition • Agrippa’s sons: Gaius and Lucius • Adopted by Augustus • Death of Agrippa in 12 BCE • Tiberius forced to divorce Vipsania, married Julia • Tiberius became the son-in-law and the stepson of the emperor, and the stepfather of the future heirs to Rome

10. Tragedy and Honors • Death of Drusus in 9 BCE • Comparison of Livia and Octavia • Granted additional honors • Privileges of those who had three children • Additional honorary statues

11. Self-Exile of Tiberius • Tiberius left to study rhetoric in Rhodes in 6 BCE • Grew tired of his lack of power • Strained relationship between him and Julia

12. Tiberius Returns • Death of Lucius in 2 CE • Tiberius returned shortly after as a “private citizen” • Death of Gaius 5 CE

13. Hope Returns • Augustus had other options for heirs: • Germanicus, grandson of Octavia • Agrippa Postumus, son of Julia and Agrippa • Livia convinced Augustus to adopt Tiberius • On Augustus adopting Germanicus: “…he was dissuaded by his wife, Livia, and instead adopted Tiberius, while Tiberius adopted Germanicus.” Tacitus, Annals 4.57.

14. Confusing Endings • In 9 CE, Agrippa Postumus was banished to Planasia by Augustus • In 14 CE, nearing the end of his life, Augustus traveled with Fabius Maximus and reconciled with Agrippa Postumus • Livia ordered to have Fabius killed • After Augustus’s death, Livia and Tiberius had Agrippa Postumus killed

15. After Augustus • Tiberius became emperor • Livia granted more honors • Adopted by Augustus • Given the title Julia Augusta • Priestess to the cult of the deified Augustus

16. Prevented Honors • Tiberius prevented honors the Senate wished to give her • “Mother of the Country” • Addition to Tiberius’s title: “son of Livia”

17. Additional Honors • After falling ill in 22 CE, the Senate granted her additional honors • The right to sit with the Vestal Virgins during gladiatorial games • Given her own lictor

18. Death and More Prevented Honors • Livia died in 29 CE, age 86 • Tiberius refused to attend her funeral or execute her will • The Senate wished to deify her • Tiberius refused, claiming she did not wish to be deified • The Senate wished to build her an arch • Tiberius refused, claiming he wanted to do so, then never did

19. Conclusions • Livia linked to the deaths of important members of the imperial family • Received more honors and grants than any other woman had previously • Became deified in 42 CE under Claudius, her grandson • Granted the title “Diva Augusta” • Established the Julian-Claudian Dynasty