Tacitus 's Influence On The Roman Empire

Many of Agrippina’s strengths were also her greatest weaknesses. Her political ability and ambition were great strengths of character, as was her determination, but at times she aimed too high and was ultimately brought down by the very traits that had enabled her to achieve positions of power. Agrippina was able to become one of the most significant women of the Ancient Roman World, but at the same time she was considered manipulative, and was despised by many, including eventually her son - the Emperor Nero, who had her killed in the year 59 CE. Despite holding no official political status, and being limited by her gender, Agrippina reached unprecedented heights and helped stabilise the Claudius Regime, demonstrating her strength as a

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, better known just by Claudius, was the fourth emperor of Rome. Born to the Roman general, Nero Claudius Drusus and his wife Antonia, Claudius was never seen as being capable to rule anything (Momigliano, 2017). This view was seen by many of his relatives, including his grandmother. According to ancient.eu, “When it was predicted that Claudius would rule the empire, she ‘prayed aloud that the Roman people might be spared so cruel and undeserved a misfortune’” (Wasson, 2011).

Throughout the period of Roman emperors, there were many good emperors who brought wealth and prosperity, but there were bad emperors who brought terror and poverty. Emperor Titus Augustus was one of the emperors who brought wealth and prosperity. He had one of the most popular rules, even though he only ruled for about 3 years. He was, also, nicknamed the “darling of the human race” by Suetonius (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Although Emperor Titus had a short rule, he brought wealth and prosperity, thus making his rule have a positive impact on the Roman Empire.

The accounts of emperor Tiberius’ reign by both Suetonius and Tacitus have qualities that serve to show how differing authors viewed Tiberius in various flattering and unappealing ways by their personal reasoning and desire to preserve truth as much as possible in scope of their respective intentions to provide scholars with treatments of him that give a through picture of his traits, strengths and weaknesses. Overall, by examining both accounts of Tiberius’ reign, readers are able to form independent judgement of Tiberius and if each description is biased beyond any semblance of objectively. Overall Suetonius and Tacitus leaves books that differ in style and accuracy but both do indeed want the residing public to understand the true

Agrippina the Younger is described to be well educated and aware of her potentially important place

The Julio-Claudian dynasty ran strong before and after the birth of Agrippina. She was born into power in 15 AD. She was a direct descendant of respected Augustus and was the daughter of the most popular couple in Rome, Germanicus and Agrippina

During her time, Agrippina the Younger was able to achieve unprecedented recognition and transcended the boundaries of imperial women to establish herself as a political player. Through her marriage to the Emperor Claudius, she formed a co-ruling alliance that allowed her to manipulate the order of succession to aid her son Nero in becoming Princeps. To a negligible extent, historians agree with Ferrero’s interpretation of Agrippina. Where Ferrero praises Agrippina’s personality, both ancient and modern sources oppose his description of her as ‘intelligent and simple’, often describing her as opportunistic and manipulative. Although they do agree that her upbringing amidst political affairs set her up to becoming a formidable and politically

The move from the Republic system to the principate, an autocratic system of government, meant the roles and status of main groups and genders of society would inevitably change. Specifically we see the traditional role of women change, going from the traditional ‘matrona’ to an independent imperial woman with a broadened influence over the state. Agrippina the younger is exemplary of this change and is viewed as one of the most influential women of her time. Ancient sources are hostile towards this ‘power hungry’ figure however modern revisionists give a deeper insight into the woman behind the hostile accounts. Nether less both ancient and modern sources agree Agrippina had a

Cassius Dio insists the empire and Augustus owe an extraordinary amount to Gaius Maecenas, Marcus Agrippa, and to a lesser extent, Livia. While the empire had problems with stability from time to time, the three of them had their roles in cultivating prosperity. The role of lifelong friend and confidante is attributed to Agrippa, as his loyalty ceased to cultivate throughout the years. The trifecta aided Augustus in ruling and improving the empire, while sporadically corralling the Octavian mindset inside of Augustus. Augustus single-handedly appointed Agrippa to settle disputes that arose on the frontier, and in Rome. He was the ultimate plug-n-play general of the empire, and proved his worth early on until his death in 12 B.C through military ventures and building projects. Gaius Maecenas had a profound impact on Augustus’ decision to retain the power that he acquired after defeating Marc Antony and Cleopatra, which shaped the government into what eventually existed in Dio’s time. He also handled important business in Rome while the emperor was absent, acting as a sit-in caesar, if you will. Livia attempted to promote the women of Rome, while also helping Augustus soothe relationships with the latter’s enemies. However, mischievous presumptions loom from Dio around Livia regarding certain disastrous events. Nonetheless, without Livia, Maecenas, and especially Agrippa, Octavian might not have ever had the chance to rule Rome.

Family background and status • Agrippina the Younger lived during the Julio-Causian Dynasty . • Agrippina the Younger was born in modern day city of Cologne in Germany on November the 6th, 15AD in • She was the eldest daughter of Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus but the fourth child in the family. • She came from imperial blood, she was Augustus’s great-granddaughter through her maternal side and her father Germanicus was adopted by Tiberius. • Her elder brothers Nero, Drusus and Gaius, and her younger sisters, Drusilla and Julia Livilla. • Her third brother Gaius, succeeded Tiberius and became emperor, he was also known as Caligula • When Agrippina was 13 years old, she was married her first husband Domitius Ahenobarbus by Tiberius

Agrippina the Younger had a fairly difficult but calculated life, she had many key times in her life that both assisted her life and others that significantly impacted her during this time. Agrippina was born into royalty, given opportunities for power, and readily looking for ways to gain power and influence, while also having to deal with deaths, murder plots and criticism. Agrippina the Younger during AD 28 after her 13th birthday, was given an arranged marriage by Tiberius to Gnaeus Dominitus Ahenobarbus also ordering Rome to celebrate. This marriage would have set up Agrippina with a source of power and influence as Gnaeus Dominitus Ahenobarbus came from a distinguished family of consular rank, Domitius was directly related to Augustus giving him great influence thus furthering Agrippina’s power during the marriage.

Imperial Rome, during the first century A.D. was expanding it's boundaries by adding new territories. They expanded into northern Europe and Britain and conquered or attempted to conquer various types of people. Based on my reading of Tacitus' The Agricola and The Germania, I have knowledge of the life and customs of the Britons, subject of the Agricola, and the Germans, subject of the Germania. This of course being the Romans, and more specifically Tacitus,' observation and view of these groups of people.

Julius Caesar, born Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, was born into a family of patricians. In fact, he was able to trace his lineage back to Romulus, the first king of Rome (Gill, N.S.). His birth of around July 12, 100

She was angered by the moderate advice of Nero’s advisors; his former tutor Seneca and the commander of Pretorian Guard, Burrus. Although Nero was the young emperor, Agrippina still had influence among the decisions he made and the actions he performed. Once Agrippina demanded Nero cease his affair with Claudia Acte, a former slave, he had no option but to banish his mother from the family place so her influence could not bother him any more (Richard A, 14-117 A.D.). In 55 A.D. Britannicus died, the day before he was to be proclaimed an adult (Thomas W, 1989). It is widely interpreted that Nero poisoned Britannicus, although Nero claimed that he died from a seizure (Pamela B, 1990). Nero’s murderous habit did not only stay with his non-immediate family. In 58 A.D. Agrippina was murdered at Nero’s command, as her influence towards his actions and her interference with his plans for Rome had become too much. This heinous display of power, ultimately highlights the immense anger and frustration Nero he felt towards his mother, and primary sources such as ‘The Annals, By Tacitus, Written 109 A.C.E., Book XIII’ confirm that once this act had been accomplished, Nero showed no remorse or

Cognition Based on parental report and direct observation Roman displayed various strengths and weaknesses. Roman can perform the following: combined two related objects during play; looked at a picture book with an adult and may name or point to simple objects, and demonstrated appropriate use of everyday items. On the other hand, Roman had difficulty with the following: telling his own age; telling if an object is “heavy” or “light”, stating accurately rather he is a boy or girl, and understood the concept of “more” and “less”. Communication