The role of AgrippinaThe role of Agrippina

Dr David W.J. Gill

University of Wales Swansea

Introduction Introduction

Agrippina’s role The people behind Nero Agrippina’s death

The role of AgrippinaThe role of Agrippina

Suetonius probably read her memoirs (now lost)

Tacitus Ann. 13: ‘The senate voted her two official attendants and the Priesthood of Claudius’

appears on coinage with Nero

The role of AgrippinaThe role of Agrippina

favoured Claudius’ son Britannicus in 55 59 opposed Nero’s affair with Poppaea

Sabina– prefect of Misenum to drown her– this marked the end of the golden age

The death of M. Junius The death of M. Junius SilanusSilanus

Tacitus, Ann. 13: ‘The first casualty of the new reign was the governor of Asia, M. Junius Silanus. His death was treacherously contrived by Agrippina, without Nero’s knowledge ... Agrippina was afraid that he would avenge her murder of his brother ...’

Death of NarcissusDeath of Narcissus

Tacitus, Ann. 13– ‘Equally hurried was the death of Claudius’

freedman Narcissus. … Imprisoned and harshly treated, the threat of imminent execution drove him to suicide. The emperor, however, was sorry: Narcissus’ greed and extravagance harmonized admirably with his own still latent vices’

Restraints on AgrippinaRestraints on Agrippina

Tacitus Ann. 13.2– Sex. Afranius Burrus

‘by a soldier’s attention to detail and strictness of behaviour’

– L. Annaeus Seneca ‘by his lessons in eloquence and his combination of

dignity with affability’

– ‘Agrippina’s violence, inflamed by all the passions of ill-gotten tyranny, encountered their united opposition’

Sex. Afranius BurrusSex. Afranius Burrus

equestrian procurator of Livia Drusilla, Tiberius and Claudius

from Gallia Narbonensis favourite of Iulia Agrippina sole prefect of Praetorian Guard in 51

(Claudius)– continued under Nero

Sex. Afranius BurrusSex. Afranius Burrus

55: survived charge of conspiracy 59: controlled Nero’s affairs after murder of

his mother opposed Nero’s divorce from Octavia died in 62:

– Suetonius and Cassius Dio suggest that he was poisoned

L. Annaeus SenecaL. Annaeus Seneca

from Corduba in southern Spain, 4BC-AD 1 equestrian family second son of Elder Seneca

– brother was Gallio, governor of Achaia exiled for adultery in 41 under Claudius

– recalled through Iulia Agrippina 49 appointed tutor to Nero

Responsibilities of SenecaResponsibilities of Seneca

amicus principis write the emperor’s speeches exercise patronage manage intrigue!

Seneca’s fall from powerSeneca’s fall from power

compromised by murder of Britannicus (55) 59 criticised for murder of Agrippina 59 criticised in the Senate

– Tac. Ann. 13.42: how did he made 300 million HS in four years?

62 death of Burrus 65 forced to commit suicide for alleged links

with Piso’s conspiracy

Jealousy over ActeJealousy over Acte

Nero had affair with a slave Acte Agrippina saw her as a ‘rival’ (Tac. Ann.

13) Nero tried to win back his mother’s favour

BritannicusBritannicus

Agrippina claimed that Britannicus was the true heir– son of Claudius

When Britannicus acquired the toga virilis Nero invited him to sing– growing jealousy and hated him (Tac. Ann. 13)– ‘afraid that the common people might be less

attached to Claudius’ adopted son than to his real one’ (Suet. Nero 33)

BritannicusBritannicus

Britannicus poisoned at dinner– assisted by Locusta, a poisoner (Suet. Ner. 33)– ‘Nero lay back unconcernedly’– ‘here was Nero murdering a relation’– ‘the poor boy had “long been subject to these

epileptic seizures”’ (Suet. Nero 33)

Murdering relationsMurdering relations

Nero later referred to mushrooms as ‘food of the gods’– Suet. Ner. 33

Agrippina’s reactionAgrippina’s reaction

supported Octavia, Nero’s wife Nero tried to alienate her by

– removing her bodyguard– giving her a separate palace

Nero started plotting to kill his mother

Nero’s reactionNero’s reaction

Suet. Nero. 34– ‘The over-watchful, over critical eye that

Agrippina kept on whatever Nero said or did proved more than he could stand. He first tried to embarrass her by frequent threats to abdicate and go into retirement in Rhodes’

The plot to kill AgrippinaThe plot to kill Agrippina

Suet. Nero 34– tried to poison her 3 times

– ‘he rigged up a machine in the ceiling of her bedroom which would dislodge the panels and drop them on her while she slept’

– a collapsible cabin-boat

– accidental collision with her galley near Baiae and offered her a collapsible boat for return trip!

– but Agrippina swam to safety

– eventually had her killed

Death of AgrippinaDeath of Agrippina

Tacitus, Ann. 13– Anicetus broke into her home– ‘Strike here!’ - pointing to her womb