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Livia, later known as Julia Augusta, was one of the most powerful women in Roman imperial history. She manipulated, tricked and poisoned many leaders to assure the eventual succession of her son, Tiberius to the throne. Livia was beautiful, intelligent and wise and used these characteristics to get what she wanted. No other women of her time had such a unique, ambitious character.
Livia was born in 58 B.C. and died in 29 A.D. She was the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudius, who was part of the noble Claudian family. The author has been unable to find Livia's place of birth because most of her written history starts when she married Tiberius Claudius Nero.
At the time of their marriage, Caesar had already died and two leaders were fighting to be ruler: Octavian (later known as Augustus) of the west and Mark Anthony of the east. After Livia gave birth to her first child, Tiberius, she set out to marry Augustus because he was very powerful. She lied to her husband, Tiberius Claudius Nero and claimed that the second child she was carrying was not his. She also lied to Augustus and told him that his wife, Scribonnia, had commited adultery with a close friend. Immediately after Scribonia gave birth to his daughter, Julia, Augustus married Livia and three days after their marriage, Livia gave birth to her second son Drusus.
Livia sent her two sons, Tiberius, the eldest, and Drusus, to live with their father who educated them himself. Livia was furious when she found out about their education and Tiberius Claudius Nero suddenly died from poison at a dinner party. Livia and Augustus just happened to be guests!
Robert Graves states, "Augustus ruled the world, but Livia ruled Augustus." (Graves, 21) Augustus became ruler of the Roman Empire after a huge sea battle in 31 B.C. Livia and Augustus then moved to the palace in Rome. Livia had a great influence over Augustus on both political and family matters.
Augustus adopted Marcellus, the son of his sister Octavia as his own son. Augustus and Livia never had children. Marcellus later married Julia, Augustus's daughter, and his status and reputation became greatly enhanced. Marcellus was sure to become heir to the throne. Livia made Agrippa, who was the most important man in Rome at the time besides Augustus, jealous of Marcellus. Suddenly Augustus became ill in 23 B.C. when Livia prepared his food. Augustus asked her to pick the heir to the throne. After Agrippa officially became heir, Augustus miraculesly recovered! Soon after, Marcellus died from the same symptoms and Julia married Agrippa.
Livia secretly read a letter that Drusus had sent his brother, Tiberius. This letter talked harshly of Livia's powerful influence. Soon after, Drusus died of a small wound even though Livia had sent her own personal doctor.
Gaius and Lucius were the children from Julia and Agrippa's marriage. They were well liked by their grandfather Augustus, and would probably become his successors. Lucius died in 2 A.D. on his way to Spain. Gaius died in 4 A.D. when he was returning from Armenia. It has been said that Livia had a hand in all three deaths.
When Agrippa unexpectantly died, Tiberius was forced to divorce his first wife, Vipsania and to marry Julia. Tiberius was very unhappy and Augustus became insulted because it was evident that his daughter, Julia was not good enough for Tiberius. Augustus was not fond of Tiberius and did not want him to inherit the throne. After the mysterious deaths of Drusus, Gaius and Lucius, however, Augustus had no choice.
Some historians have claimed that Livia poisoned Augustus's figs because he was thinking of having Agrippa Postumus become heir instead of Tiberius. In 14 A.D. Augustus died in the arms of Livia as he said, "Farewell, Livia, live mindful of our marriage.' Suetonius wrote that, 'Although she bore hime no children, Augustus loved Livia until his death." It is interesting to speculate whether Augustus knew of his wife's plotting and manipulation to be the power behind the throne.
