Agrippina II

Agrippina II

Agrippina II

To discuss how Agrippina II gained influence over politics in Rome and how she used her influence.


Agrippina II was known as the true Julio-Claudian; she had direct links by blood and marriage to both the Julian and Claudian families and was directly related to all the Julio-Claudian emperors. Agrippina II was the most influential of the Julio-Claudian women and arguably the most powerful women in Rome in her era. Richard Bauman writing extensively about the Julio-Claudian women argued that even though women during the Julio-Claudian era were more liberated than at any other time in Roman history, Agrippina II like her mother Agrippina and Livia before her exercised their influence through their male relatives.

At an early age Agrippina II was raised in an imperial household as her father Germanicus was once heir to Tiberius which gave her the opportunity to learn about the roman political system. Germanicus passed away at an early age leaving Agrippina II’s mother Agrippina politically exposed, nevertheless Agrippina did not remarry which meant that she no longer had access to real power. Agrippina II learnt off her mother’s experience and learnt that power for women was only possible through male relatives.

In 28 after Agrippina II’s thirteenth birthday Tiberius arranged for her to marry Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and gave birth to her first and only child Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus on 37. December 15th, however not much is known about the marriage between Agrippina II and Domitius.

On March 16, 37 Tiberius passed away and Agrippina II’s brother Caligula became emperor, and as sister of the emperor Agrippina II began to obtain some influence. Agrippina and her younger sisters were given various honours from their brother which included, the right of Vestal Virgins (to view public games from the upper seats), the issuing of coins with Caligula and his sister’s on it   and Caligula even added his sisters names in all the...