Ancient History Introduction Essay

Submitted By horia1997
Words: 653
Pages: 3

Agrippina the Younger
Agrippina had a disrupted childhood, her family was constantly moving and her parents and siblings died young. Agrippina’s father Germanicus, was an adopted member of the Julian family and he held various political and military positions. In AD 14, Augustus died and was succeeded by Tiberius. In AD 19 the family travelled to Egypt, where the family was met with goodwill and celebration. The popularity of the family irritated Tiberius. Whilst in Egypt, Germanicus argued with Piso, Tiberius’s representative in Syria. Relations between Germanicus and Piso became very difficult. Germanicus became ill and died at Antioch in October 19 AD. Agrippina the Elder was convinced that her husband had been poisoned by Piso, and suspected Tiberius as well. The family returned home with Germanicus’s ashes and held a funeral. Tiberius and his wife Livia were absent from the funeral. There absence from the funeral caused many to speculate about their involvement in the death of Germanicus.

Source 1
It is even believed that (Tiberius) arranged for Gnaeus Piso, the governor of Syria, to poison Germanicus; and that Piso, when tried on this charge, would have produced his instructions had they not been taken from him when he confronted Tiberius with them, whereupon he was executed. As a result of these events, ‘Give us back Germanicus!’ was written on the walls throughout Rome and shouted all night. Tiberius later strengthened popular suspicion by his cruel treatment of Germanicus’ wife Agrippina and her children.
Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, trans by R. Graves, p. 125.

Source 2
His death occurred at Antioch as the result of a plot formed by Piso and Plancina. For bones of men that had been buried in the house where he dwelt and sheets of lead containing curses together with his name were found while he was yet alive; and that poison was the means of his carrying off was revealed by the condition of his body, which was brought into the Forum and exhibited to all who were present. Piso later returned to Rome and was brought before the Senate on the charge of murder by Tiberius himself, who thus endeavoured to clear himself of the suspicion of having destroyed Germanicus; but Piso secured a postponement of his trial and committed suicide.
Cassius Dio, Roman History, trans. By E. Cary, Vol.7, pp. 163-65 us The next ten years were difficult for Agrippina. Her mother, Agrippina the Elder and Tiberius constantly argued as she blamed him for the