Influence of Agrippina
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Assess the power and influence of Agrippina the Younger in Julio-Claudian family. (10)
"Daughter," "Sister", "Niece," "Wife," "Mother". Each of these headings, defines Agrippina by her relationship to the main in power" (Anthony Barrett). This depicts the way Agrippina gained power and influence in Rome. By having incestuous relationships with most of her male family members. It was the perfect plan as a stepping stone to supreme authority she yearned for.
Agrippinas father was Germanicus, who was popular amongst the armies in the Roman Empire. He was also from the blood line of Augustus and thus Agrippina had already established a name for herself since her birth. "she derived prominence from her famous military father" (E.A Judge). Her mother, Agrippina the elder, was an head strong woman who Agrippina the Younger looked up too "The techniques of the two women were very similar. Both cultivated the military" (Bauman)
This establishes that Agrippinas parents were a major factor in her life even though they werent around for most of it. Her father died when she was four years old and her mother died sometime after in prison. Her father had given her prestige and her mother had shaped her cunning personality.
When Gaius (her brother) became emperor he offered Agrippina as well as her sisters, the highest honours a woman could ever have in Rome. "[received] the privileges of the Vestals" (Barrett). They were allowed to watch the public games from the imperial seats, be included in the annual vows of allegiance to the emperor and have their figures appearing on the coins. This increased Agrippinas status dramatically because if Gaius, the emperor respected her, ultimately the majority of people of Rome would.
After reclaiming a grand amount of wealth after the death of her second husband Pallas she married Claudius, her own uncle who was emperor at the time. This was "a stepping-stone to supremacy." (Tacitus) because Claudius was the highest respected authority figure in Rome. Thus, being wife to him gave her absolute influence. She could use her cunning wit to have her way with Claudius and hence managed to totally dominate him. She made him perform ruthless behavior including the death of a woman Claudius had considered as pretty. The ancient historian Tacitus believed that "complete obedience was accorded to a woman" This further portrays the influence Agrippina was creating for herself in Rome thanks to her Julio-Claudian descent.
She had Claudius adopt her son Nero so he would become heir the throne and not Claudius own son Brittanicus.
When Claudius died Nero became emperor.
deemed by Nero "Best of Mothers"
picture appeared on the emperors side of the coin
involved in political affairs including meetings of the senate
killed off any political rivals
Sorry about the unfinished adequate ending but i hope you get the idea