Honours and Legacy
Early into the reign of Caligula, she and her sisters were granted by Caligula the rights of the Vestal Virgins, among other honours. The Vestal Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The rights given to these ‘Vestales' were significant and included:
- being transported in a carpentum (a covered two-wheeled carriage), and holding the right-of-way
- there was a place of honour reserved for them at public games and performances
- unlike most Roman women, they were not subject to the Patria Potestas and so were free to own property, vote, and make their own will
- they could provide evidence without having to give an oath, as their word was trusted without question
- they were sacrosanct: they had escorts to protect them from assault and anyone who injured them received the death penalty
- they could free condemned prisoners and slaves by touching them
- being transported in a carpentum (a covered two-wheeled carriage), and holding the right-of-way
- there was a place of honour reserved for them at public games and performances
- unlike most Roman women, they were not subject to the Patria Potestas and so were free to own property, vote, and make their own will
- they could provide evidence without having to give an oath, as their word was trusted without question
- they were sacrosanct: they had escorts to protect them from assault and anyone who injured them received the death penalty
- they could free condemned prisoners and slaves by touching them
During Claudius’ reign, Agrippina was honoured by receiving the prestigious title of ‘Augusta’. Augusta was the female equivalent of Augustus. It was given to only a handful of women, as an indicator of worldly power and influence, and a status near to divinity. There was no qualification with higher prestige, demonstrating the immense power and influence Agrippina held at the time, and the respect and acknowledgement she received from this power. Agrippina would also be known for her recall of Seneca from exile who went on to become one of Nero’s most influential teachers. She also provided most of his financial resources, which he used to complete many works of significant influence on the Stoic tradition.
Agrippina the Younger was an extremely influential woman who held nearly unmatched power in the ancient world. Whilst she held very little direct authority to use this power, she manipulated the men around her, such as Caligula, Claudius and Nero to do her bidding, throughout the use of her sexual intrigue and dominating personality. She formed webs of political alliances that would overturn laws and break any barriers that stood in her way, overcoming the many challenges thrown at her throughout her life. Whilst her dominating personality eventually led to her downfall, she left a legacy and would set the example for many powerful women to come.
Agrippina the Younger was an extremely influential woman who held nearly unmatched power in the ancient world. Whilst she held very little direct authority to use this power, she manipulated the men around her, such as Caligula, Claudius and Nero to do her bidding, throughout the use of her sexual intrigue and dominating personality. She formed webs of political alliances that would overturn laws and break any barriers that stood in her way, overcoming the many challenges thrown at her throughout her life. Whilst her dominating personality eventually led to her downfall, she left a legacy and would set the example for many powerful women to come.