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Agrippin­a the younger source. Analysis and notes

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Agrippina the younger source

analysis and notes


Table to be used to record information for Part B



Source



Origin of source


Physical Description


How is Agrippina represented?


Significance or propaganda value


1



Roman coinage minted in AD 37-38.

On the observe side (left hand image) of the coin, the bust of the Emperor Caligula, known by his actual name of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus is featured surrounded by the words ‘C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT’

The reverse side of the coin (right) features full body models of the contemporary Emperor’s sisters, Drusilla, Livilla and Aggrippina. Around the three sisters, are there names as well as the letters ‘SC’.

Featured on the reverse side of the coin, along with her two sisters Drusilla and Livilla, Agrippina is represented with Goddess like qualities. In this depiction, Agrippina represents Securitas the goddess of security and stability. Agrippina is shown leaning against a column which Securitas is often depicted doing. In her other hand his is shown holding a cornucopia (the horn of plenty), which symbolises abundance, prosperity, nourishment and fertility.

This was significant as never before had the Emperor’s sisters been depicted on Roman coinage.  In a time where woman had no political power this can be considered an elevation of imperial women and their value.


The propaganda value of the coinage was that it demonstrated the Emperor Caligula and his 3 sisters. This representation considerably raised the status of Agrippina and her sisters as well as displayed the Julian family.



2


Photo of Agrippina the younger statue located in Capitoline Museum, Rome. Statue made approximately 1st century AD

This marble statue displays Agrippina the younger, seated on a chair in a relaxed but powerful position.

In this statue Agrippina is represented as a powerful figure. Usually present only in statues accompanied by men such as Nero, in this statue Agrippina is on her own, seated in the position of an Emperor.

This statue is significant as an Imperial woman’s value was determined by the success of the men in her life. This particular statue shows Agrippina alone, seated in the position of an Emperor, displaying her as powerful and independent. The propaganda value of this statue is that it shows Agrippina’s power and influence.

3

               The Gemma Claudia is an onyx cameo that dates back to 49 AD. The date the piece was created co-insides with the marriage of Claudius and Agrippina so it is believed to be a wedding gift.  The artist of the piece is unknown.              The Gemma Claudia is a five-layered onyx cameo which features Agrippina’s parents -Germanicus (front right) and Agrippina the elder (back right).

On the left hand side of the onyx cameo, the Emperor Claudius is depicted in front of his wife Agrippina. All four busts are protruding from cornucopias with an eagle situated between them.    Along side her husband, facing her parents; Agrippina is represented as a figure of power and prosperity.  In the Gemma Claudia, Agrippina is represented as Cybele, the Roman Goddess of fertility.


               The significance of this piece is the presence of Germanicus and his wife Agrippina the Elder.  Before their deaths, Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder were very popular with the Roman people, so by connecting these four busts, the popularity of the Germanicus and his wife is linked and influences the popularity of Agrippina and Claudius.

The use of these Germanicus and Agrippina is also a means of propaganda to promote the Julian family.

The four heads displayed on the cameo are shown to rise out of cornucopias (the horn of plenty). Singularly, Cornucopias represent abundance, prosperity, nourishment and fertility. Combined with the busts of these influence people of the Roman empire, this symbolises the prosperity of .....[read full text]

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5


               Statue of Agrippina and Claudius from the Sebasteion in Aphrodisias. Around 1st century AD.        This statue features Agrippina (left), Claudius (middle), and a headless figure (right). Claudius is the centre and focus of the statue. In the carving Claudius and Agrippina are holding hands.  In this sculpture, Agrippina is represented as a loving wife.

Agrippina and Claudius are holding hands, which symbolises Concordia (harmony) and marital affection.  In this statue it seems that Agrippina is wearing the oak wreaths. Oak wreaths are the second highest military decoration. This symbolises the many honours that she has received such as the Augusta title. 


               The propaganda value of  this piece is to demonstrate the unity of the two Claudian branches and pr.....

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The cornucopia held by Agrippina symbolises prosperity and good fortune. This can be interpreted as prosperity and good fortune for her son Nero and the Empire he now rules.

7

 

               Roman coinage minted in AD54         The gold coin features the busts of Nero (left) and Agrippina (right) on the obverse side of the coin. Surrounding them are the words ‘AGRIPP AVG DIVI CL AVD NERONIS CAES MATER’. On the reverse side of the coin surrounding a oak-wreath are the words ‘NERONI CLAVD DIVI F CAES AVG GERM IMP TR P’. Inside the oak-wreath are the letters ‘EX S C’.  On this coin Agrippina is depicted as the mother of the Emperor Nero, as well as a figure of power.

She is depicted as an individual of power as her name is printed on the obverse side of the coin rather than her son, the Emperor.         The significance of this coin is the fact that Agrippina is presented on the front of the coin along with her name and titles, signifying her as a person of great importance.  It was the first and last time that a coin insinuated that that a woman, the emperor’s mother, was more important then the emperor.

The propaganda value of the coinage is that both her and her son ar.....

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In terms of success and biologically.

The reverse side of the coin signifies the connection of Agrippina and Nero to Augustus and Claudius.



Sources

Key – Nero, Caligula, Claudius.


The twelve Caesars


A history of the Roman World – E.T Salmon

·       Page 175- To secure her position Agrippina killed Nero’s Aunt, Domitia Lepida, and Augustus’ great-grandson, M. Junius Silanus.

·       Page 175 – Agrippina’s head on the observe side of the coin shows she was almost successful in becoming regent

·       Page 175- Although they were her supporters in Claudius’ lifetime, Burrus and Seneca did not like the idea of a woman ruling the roman world. Undermined her influence by suggesting to the princeps that Nero was the master of the world and did not need to share his power with anybody.

·       Page 176- Agrippina’s obvious eagerness to be invested in authority worked in Seneca and Burrus’ favour.

·       Page 176- Her face moves to the reverse side of the coin before .....

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·       Page 72 – Claudius’ task of confirming his position with the military, while immediate and urgent, would prove less complex than his relationship with the senate, a problem that would not be solved until the marriage with Agrippina.

·       Page 88 – Agrippinas son made her a more threatening target then her sister Livilla, and her blood relation to Augustus made her more formidable than rival Julia. It was believed that Agrippina was away from Rome after her revoked exile. Possibly in Asia, or Passienus’ Tusculan estate, or Padua – the home of Asconius Labeo, Nero’s tutor. Awaiting word that Messalina had become vulnerable.



Ancient History Skills Personalities and group

·       Page 84 – In September 39AD Gaius left Rome for the North where he aimed to carry out a campaign against Germany and Britain. On this trip Marcus Lepidus (Drusilla’s husband), Agrippina and Livilla joined him. Lepidus was accused of have an affair with his late wife’s sisters and all 3 were charged with conspiracy.

·       Page 84 – Agrippina’s Husband was suffering from dropsy and died the next year. She may have been aiming to marry Lepidus as he was a favorite with Gaius – this would have strengthened Nero’s claim to throne.

·       Page 84 – Lepidus was condemned to death and Agrippina was forced to carry his ashes in an urn from Mevania to Rome. All her possessions were sold and she was exiled to the Pontian isles

·       Page 85- After Gaius’ death in41AD, The new emperor Claudius could not claim direct decent to Augustus, but his later marriage to A.....

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·       Page 85 – this marriage improved her status, she was now the wife of the princeps.

·       Page 85 – by marrying Claudius she set up her son for the throne as well as put herself in a position of power.

·       Page 85 – 50AD Agrippina convinced Claudius to adopt Nero, but in order for the marriage to take place Octavia had to be adopted into another family.


From the Gracchi to Nero

·       Page 303- Agrippina was given the title ‘Augusta’

·       Page 303 – Even if she felt that the ultimate succession of her son Nero was secure, she may have wished to see him on the throne while he was still young enough to follow her advice and will. – Theory that she poisoned Claudius with mushrooms.

·       Page 305 - Agrippina intended to rule through her son. She murdered or drove to suicide potential foes, eg Domitia Lepida, Nero’s Aunt, the freed man Narcissus and a great grandson of Augustus

·       Page 305 – Her power was advertised on the coinage, with her and Nero on the obverse side, and Nero’s name and title on the reverse side.


.....

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·       Page 36 - Eastern coins hailed her as a goddess and a parent of a god. Coinage of the roman state openly declared her for the first and last time ever, more important than the emperor. People were told that Agrippina was the true leader.

·       Page 41 - By the time Nero had reigned for a dozen years, he was the only living descendent of Augustus.

·       Page 73 – Reason for Agrippina’s assassination, explained by Suetonius, was that Nero became frightened by threats that he was told Agrippina was making. Nero is seen eas.....



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