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.

Marriage to Augustus

She was born in 58 BC as the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus by his wife Alfidia. Her mother Alfidia was a daughter of Aufidius Lurco, a Roman Magistrate from an Italian town. In 42 BC, her father committed suicide in Philippi, Greece along with Cassius and Brutus, the assassins of Julius Caesar, who were defeated by Octavian and Mark Antony. The diminutive Drusilla often found in her name suggests that she was second daughter. For Livia's portraiture and representations see: Rolf Winkes, Livia, Octavia, Iulia- Porträts und Darstellungen- (Archaeologia Transatlantica XIII) Louvain-la-Neuve and Providence 1995.

Related Topics:
Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus - 42 BC - Philippi - Greece - Cassius - Brutus - Julius Caesar - Octavian - Mark Antony

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Around 42 BC she married Tiberius Claudius Nero, her cousin of patrician status. After the civil war that followed the assassination of Julius Caesar, Claudius Nero was on the opposite side of Octavian. The family survived the prosecutions and met Augustus in 39 BC. At this time, Livia already had a son, the future emperor Tiberius, and was pregnant with the second (Drusus the Elder). Legend said that Augustus fell immediately in love with her and they got married the day after both their divorces were announced. Apparently, Claudius Nero agreed to let her go and was present at the wedding. The importance of the patrician Claudii to Augustus' cause against opposition, and the political survival of Claudius Nero are probably the more rational explanations for the tempestuous union. Nevertheless, Livia and Augustus remained married for the next 52 years, despite the fact that they had no children, and she always enjoyed the status of a privileged councillor to her husband.

Related Topics:
42 BC - Patrician - Octavian - 39 BC - Tiberius - Drusus the Elder

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