Livia Drusilla is certainly one of the most influential women in history, yet most people have never heard her name.
For 50 years, she ruled alongside her husband, Augustus, by all accounts assisting him and having a say in the decision-making. Her favor could make or break the fortunes of many people. Even after Augustus’ death, she continued to hold a great deal of sway in the political arena. Still, because of the customs of the times in which she lived, Livia had to appear a modest wife, mother, and widow.
Livia belonged to an upper class…
family from Rome. She was first married to a man named Tiberius Claudius Nero, a friend of Julius Caesar. In the turmoil that gave rise to the second Triumvirate (see page 7), Tiberius Nero had sided with Mark Antony and not Augustus. In time, Tiberius returned to Rome to make peace with Augustus. With him was Livia. They had one son, and Livia was pregnant with a second child. Augustus was married to Scribonia, who was also expecting a child—a daughter whom they named Julia.
When Augustus saw Livia…
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