Livia

Livia Drusilla, known later as Julia Augusta, was a very important woman in ancient Rome. She lived from 30 January 59 BC to AD 29. She became Roman empress in 27 BC when she married Augustus, the first Roman emperor. For many years, she helped her husband make big decisions and gave him advice. People listened to her, and she had many friends in important places.

Before marrying Augustus, Livia was married to another man named Tiberius Claudius Nero, and they had two sons. But she later divorced him to be with Augustus. Even after Augustus died in AD 14, Livia kept helping the new emperor, her son Tiberius. She had her own group of supporters and used her influence to affect many things in the Roman government.

Livia was also a grandmother and great-grandmother to future emperors, which made her a very important figure in the royal family. After she died, a later emperor named Claudius honored her by considering her a god, giving her the title Diva Augusta.

Birth and first marriage to Tiberius Claudius Nero

Livia Drusilla was born on January 30, 59 BC. She was the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus and his wife Alfidia. She married Tiberius Claudius Nero around 43 BC. Tiberius Claudius Nero was a leader who fought against Octavian.

Livia and Tiberius had their first child, the future emperor Tiberius, in 42 BC. In 40 BC, they had to leave Italy to avoid danger after the siege of Perusia. They went to Sicily to join Sextus Pompeius, and later moved to Greece with their young son.

Wife to Augustus

After peace was made in Rome, Livia met a man named Octavian in 39 BC. At the time, she already had a son named Tiberius and was expecting another child named Drusus. Octavian quickly asked to marry her, even though he was already married. He divorced his wife the same day she gave birth to their daughter, Julia the Elder.

Octavian and Livia got married when she was still pregnant. An old story says an eagle dropped something special into her lap as a sign. They stayed married for over 50 years, even though they only had one child together who was born too early and did not survive. Livia helped Octavian make decisions and supported many people, which was unusual for women at that time.

When Octavian became known as Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, Livia became an important example for Roman women. She took care of their home and supported her husband’s work. She also managed her own money and lands, helping many people become leaders in Rome. She encouraged her sons, Tiberius and Drusus, to take important roles, though Drusus sadly died in an accident.

Reign of Tiberius

After Augustus died on 19 August AD 14, he was honored by the Roman Senate. In his will, he left one third of his property to Livia, and the rest to his stepson, Tiberius. Augustus also adopted Livia into the Julian family and gave her the important title of Augusta. From then on, she was known as Julia Augusta.

Some people at the time spread stories that Livia might have played a part in Augustus’s death, but most historians think these were just false claims made by political opponents. For a while, Livia and Tiberius, the new emperor, seemed to work well together. Speaking against Livia became a serious crime in AD 20. In AD 24, Tiberius even allowed her to sit with the Vestal Virgins during shows. Livia had a lot of hidden influence in Rome, even though she did not hold an official position. Over time, Tiberius grew unhappy with his mother’s power and influence, especially because he felt she had helped put him on the throne.

Historians describe Livia as someone who sometimes tried to control Tiberius’s decisions. There were a few well-known cases where she used her friendship to protect others, even when they were in trouble. In AD 22, Livia put up a statue of Augustus in Rome, listing her own name before even Tiberius’s.

Some writers say Tiberius chose to live on the island of Capri because he could no longer get along with his mother. Until AD 22, things between them seemed calm, though some believe Tiberius already disliked her deeply when he became emperor.

Death and aftermath

In AD 22, Livia became ill, and her son Tiberius hurried back to Rome to be with her. But when she became very sick and passed away in AD 29, Tiberius stayed on the island of Capri, saying he was very busy. He sent someone else to speak at her funeral.

Many years later, in AD 42, during the time when her grandson Claudius ruled, her honors were restored. She was called Diva Augusta (The Divine Augusta), and her image was shown in public games pulled by an elephant. A statue of her was placed in the Temple of Augustus next to her husband’s statue. Races were held to honor her, and women were asked to use her name in special promises.

Her home near Rome, called the Villa ad Gallinas Albas, is being dug up by scientists today. Some beautiful paintings from that home can be seen at the National Roman Museum. One of the most famous statues of her husband Augustus, known as the Augustus of Prima Porta, came from the grounds of that home.

Personality

Livia was remembered as a proud and faithful wife to the first Roman emperor, Augustus. Ancient writers shared some of her words and actions, showing her wisdom and respect for others.

She helped raise her children, including the future emperor Tiberius, and was an important figure in the Roman imperial family.

Legacy

The Roman tribe Livia was named to honor her.

In literature and popular culture

Ancient writers often described Livia as a close advisor to Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Some believed she had great influence over him, though others thought her enemies spread bad rumors about her.

Livia appeared on coins and in portraits, showing how important she was in Roman society. She was known for representing good qualities of Roman women and was seen as a motherly figure.

In modern books and shows, Livia is shown in many ways. In some stories, she is a clever advisor, while in others, she plays key roles in dramas about ancient Rome. She has been portrayed by many actors in television series over the years.

Main article: I, Claudius

Main articles: Rome, Domina

Descendants

Livia had one child with her husband Octavian, but the child died very early. However, because of her sons from a previous marriage, Tiberius and Drusus, she was an ancestor of all the emperors from the Julio-Claudian family and many others in that group.

Livia's family included many important people, such as:

1. Tiberius Claudius Nero (Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus), who had two children.
2. Nero Claudius Drusus, who had three children, including Germanicus Julius Caesar, who had six children.

These family members continued Livia's legacy through their own children and helped shape the Julio-Claudian imperial family.