Livia

Livia Drusa Augusta, Livia Drusilla, or Julia Augusta (58 BC-AD 29) was the wife of Caesar Augustus and the most powerful woman in the early Roman empire, acting several times as regent and being Augustus' faithful advisor.

Livia, Roman empress

After Mark Antony's suicide following the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian met no opposition to his increasing power, eventually becoming Roman Emperor as Caesar Augustus always with Livia by his side. Together, they formed the role model for Rome. Despite his riches and power, Augustus and his family continued to live modestly in their house on the Palatine Hill. Livia would set the pattern for the noble Roman matrona. She wore neither excessive jewellery nor pretentious costumes, she took care of the household and her husband (often making his clothes herself), she paid no attention to his notorious womanising, always faithful and dedicated.

Related Topics:
Mark Antony - Battle of Actium - 31 BC - Roman Emperor - Caesar Augustus - Palatine Hill

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In 35 BC Augustus gave Livia the unprecedented honour to rule her own finances, dedicated a public statue to her. She had her own circle of clients and pushed many protégés into political offices, including Otho's grandfather and Galba himself.

Related Topics:
35 BC - Otho - Galba

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With Augustus being the father of only one daughter (Julia Caesaris by Scribonia), Livia revealed herself to be an ambitious mother and soon started to push her own sons, Tiberius and Drusus into power. Rumor had it that she secretly was the cause of death for the original successors, Augustus' nephew. Tiberius was adopted by his stepfather in AD 4 and married Julia the Elder (daughter of Augustus) in 11 BC. Drusus was a trusted general and married Augustus' favourite niece, Antonia Minor. One by one, all the sons of Julia Caesaris by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa died, and Tiberius was nominated heir to the Empire. Tacitus charges that Livia was not altogether innocent of these deaths and others, but there is no other support from either contemporary historians or even later ones with access to official documents (like Suetonius). Most modern historical accounts of her life discount the idea.

Related Topics:
Tiberius - Drusus - AD 4 - Julia the Elder - 11 BC - Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa - Tacitus - Suetonius

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