Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

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Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa bigraphy, stories - Imperial Roman Consul

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa : biography

23 October/November 63 BCE – 12 BC

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (c. 23 October or November 64/63 BC – 12 BC) was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defence minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus and father-in-law of the Emperor Tiberius, maternal grandfather of the Emperor Caligula, and maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero. He was responsible for most of Octavian’s military victories, most notably winning the naval Battle of Actium against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII of Egypt.

Life in public service

Agrippa was also known as a writer, especially on the subject of geography. Under his supervision, Julius Caesar’s dream of having a complete survey of the Empire made was carried out. Agrippa constructed a circular chart, which was later engraved on marble by Augustus, and afterwards placed in the colonnade built by his sister Polla. Amongst his writings, an autobiography, now lost, is referenced.

Marriages and issue

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages:

  • By his first wife, Caecilia Attica, he had a daughter, Vipsania Agrippina, who was to be the first wife of the Emperor Tiberius, and who gave birth to a son, Drusus the Younger.
  • By his second wife, Claudia Marcella Major, he may have had a daughter, whose existence remains unclear, but this hypothetical figure is referred to as "Vipsania Marcella". It is possible that this daughter may have been a second daughter by Caecilia Attica, but there is no information to say one way or the other. The existence of this daughter rests solely on Publius Quinctilius Varus being mentioned as a relative by marriage of Agrippa in Augustus’ funeral oration for Agrippa.Kölner Papyrus I (1976), no. 10.
  • By his third wife, Julia the Elder (daughter of Augustus), he had five children: Gaius Caesar, Julia the Younger, Lucius Caesar, Agrippina the Elder (wife of Germanicus, mother of the Emperor Caligula and Empress Agrippina the Younger), and Agrippa Postumus (a posthumous son).

Descendants

Through his numerous children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, whose position he helped to attain, as well as many other reputed Romans.

(by Caecilia Attica)

1. Vipsania Agrippina I, 36 BC-AD 20, had at least 6 children by 2 husbands (1 by Tiberius, at least 5 by Gaius Asinius Gallus)

A. Drusus Julius Caesar, 13 BC-AD 23, had 3 children

I. Julia Caesaris, AD 5-43, had at least 1 child

a. Rubellius Plautus, AD 33-62, may have had several children
II. Tiberius Julius Caesar (?Nero) ‘Gemellus’, AD 19-37 or 38, died without issue
III. Germanicus Julius Caesar (?Nero) II ‘Gemellus’, AD 19-23, died young
B. Gaius Asinius Pollio, died AD 45, children unknown
C. Marcus Asinius Agrippa, died AD 26
D. (?Gnaeus) Asinius Saloninus, died AD 22 May be the ‘Gnaeus Asinius’ mentioned in the records of the townsfolk of Puteoli, to whom that man was a patron
E. Servius Asinius Celer,Consul suffectus in AD 38Seneca, The Pumpkinification of Claudius died before mid-47, had 1 child

a. Asinia Agrippina
F. (?Lucius) Asinius GallusCassius Dio (60.27.5)

(by Julia Caesaris)

2. Gaius Julius Caesar, 20 BC – AD 4, died without issue
3. Vipsania Julia (Julia the Younger), 19 BC – AD 28, had two children;

A. Aemilia Lepida (fiancee of Claudius), 4 BC – AD 53, had five children;

I. Marcus Junius Silanus Torquatus, 14 – 54, had one child;

a. Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus the younger, 50–66, died young
II. Junia Calvina, 15–79, died without issue
III. Decimus Junius Silanus Torquatus, d. 64 without issue
IV. Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus the elder, d. 49 without issue
V. Junia Lepida, ca 18–65, issue unknown
B. Unnamed illegitimate son (by Decimus Junius Silanus), d. AD 8 (ordered to be exposed by Augustus)
4. Lucius Julius Caesar, 17 BC – AD 2, died without issue
5. Vipsania Agrippina II (Agrippina the Elder), 14 BC – AD 33, had nine children, of whom three died young;

A. Nero Julius Caesar, 6–30, died without issue
B. Drusus Julius Caesar, 7–33, died without issue
C. Gaius Julius Caesar, bef. AD 12 – bef. AD 12CIL 06, 00889
D. Gaius Julius Caesar (Caligula), 12–41, had one child;

I. Julia Drusilla, 39–41, died young
E. Julia Agrippina, 15–59, had one child;

I. Nero Claudius Caesar (Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus), 37–68, had one child;

a. Claudia Augusta, Jan. 63 – April 63; died young
F. Julia Drusilla, 16–38, died without issue
G. Julia Livilla, 18–42, died without issue
H. Tiberius Julius Caesar, ? – ? (either born before Nero Caesar, between Drusus Caesar and Gaius Caesar (Caligula) or between Gaius Caesar (Caligula) and Julia Agrippina)CIL 06, 00888
?I. Son (name unknown), ? – ?CIL 06, 00890
6. Agrippa Postumus, 12 BC – AD 14, died without issue