Agrippina the Younger and the Julio-Claudian dynasty
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Enunciat
Look at the family tree of Agrippina the Younger, an influential empress of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and answer the questions.
1.- Explain the chronology of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
2.- What new political system did Augustus create?
3.- Mention the names of the emperors and indicate their relationship with Agrippina the Younger.
4.- Which current German city changed its name because Agrippina was born there? What name did it receive in her honour? At what point in Agrippina's life did this occur?
5.- Was she legitimized by dynastic succession to be a ruling empress? What prevented this? On whom do you think she would focus all her efforts to gain power?
6.- An anecdote says that Agrippina asked some astrologers if her son would be king. The answer was, "He will be king, but he will kill his mother." After hearing these words, she replied, "Let him kill me as long as he reigns!". Comment on these words in relation to her personality.
7.- Why do you think ancient authors transmitted the murders, adulteries, incest and intrigues of Agrippina the Younger and left aside her intelligence, intellectual formation and capacity to govern?
8.- Read the following excerpt from a current English historian and give your opinion on the vision she offers of the figure of Agrippina the Younger.
They said she was a tyrant, a murderer, and "the most wicked woman in history." She kicked her way into the male spaces of politics and demanded to be recognised as an equal and a leader. For her audacity, she was murdered by her son and reviled by history.
Emma Southon. 2018.
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Observacions i context
In the Julio-Claudian dynasty, women never acted together to obtain greater female prominence in the public and political spheres, but rather, moved by personal interests, normally aiming at placing their descendants in the first line of succession.
In a first phase, Octavia, Livia and Julia the Elder stand out, and later, Agrippina the Elder, Julia the Younger and Agrippina the Younger do.
Although harshly criticized, the Julio-Claudians undoubtedly started a new period in the history of Rome, a task that would later be continued by the great Antonine and Severan empresses.
Descripció
Understanding the role of Agrippina the Younger from the family tree of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.