THEME LIVIA AND THE AUGUSTAN PRINCIPATE MOTHER OF THE NATION

Livia, the wife of Rome's first emperor Augustus, is often thought of today as a poisoning schemer who pushed her son Tiberius into power. Her real story is even more interesting. Once a refugee in civil war, she went on to become Rome's wealthiest and most influential woman whose popularity helped the Augustan principate become a permanent form of government with widespread support.

Josiah Osgood

THEME: The age of Augustus When Augustus died in AD 14, he left behind two heirs: Livia, his wife of over fifty years, and Tiberius, her son. A decade earlier, Augustus had adopted Tiberius, and now Tiberius would succeed Augustus as princeps, the first man of Rome. Tiberius was to take the name 'Augustus', and, following the terms of Augustus' will, Livia was officially known as 'Julia Augusta'. Livia had reached a level of power and prestige no Roman woman had enjoyed before. In an echo of Augustus' will, the Senate proposed new honors for her. Some suggested that she be granted the title 'Parent of the Nation', others 'Mother of the Nation'. Many senators, according to the historian Tacitus, wanted Tiberius to add 'the son of Julia' to his…

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Ancient History (Digital) - 1 Issue, AH 50

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