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229: Young Livia and the Makings of the Empress of Rome
In 29 AD, Livia, the Empress of Rome and the widow of Emperor Augustus, died at the age of eighty-six. Although she was the mother of Tiberius, the current emperor of Rome, and an empress through her own marriage to Augustus, her funeral was very low-key by the standards of the Roman imperial family.
But Livia’s cult had grown throughout the empire even during her lifetime, and upon her death, Livia would have been the first woman in Rome's history to be pronounced a goddess.
Key quotes:
"When Augustus’ sister Octavia died in 11 BC, her funeral oration was delivered by Augustus himself in his capacity as both Octavia’s brother and Emperor of Rome."
"By contrast, the only person who spoke at Livia’s funeral was her great-grandson Caligula before Livia was buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus with minimal ceremony."
"The senate also voted for an arch to honor Livia in remembrance of her deeds of charity and goodwill. However, the plan never came to fruition as, although Tiberius did not immediately resist this plan, he instead promised rather heroically to build the arch with his own money instead of using the public funds."
"Among his first actions were the divine honors bestowed to Livia on the anniversary of her marriage to Augustus as well as what would have been her one-hundredth birthday."
"Livia was still held in high regard during Nero’s reign, and she was still highly regarded after the Julio-Claudian dynasty ended in 68 AD."
Dive into the world of Rome's first Empress and discover the makings of a legend. Tune in now!
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.
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By Martini FisherIn 29 AD, Livia, the Empress of Rome and the widow of Emperor Augustus, died at the age of eighty-six. Although she was the mother of Tiberius, the current emperor of Rome, and an empress through her own marriage to Augustus, her funeral was very low-key by the standards of the Roman imperial family.
But Livia’s cult had grown throughout the empire even during her lifetime, and upon her death, Livia would have been the first woman in Rome's history to be pronounced a goddess.
Key quotes:
"When Augustus’ sister Octavia died in 11 BC, her funeral oration was delivered by Augustus himself in his capacity as both Octavia’s brother and Emperor of Rome."
"By contrast, the only person who spoke at Livia’s funeral was her great-grandson Caligula before Livia was buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus with minimal ceremony."
"The senate also voted for an arch to honor Livia in remembrance of her deeds of charity and goodwill. However, the plan never came to fruition as, although Tiberius did not immediately resist this plan, he instead promised rather heroically to build the arch with his own money instead of using the public funds."
"Among his first actions were the divine honors bestowed to Livia on the anniversary of her marriage to Augustus as well as what would have been her one-hundredth birthday."
"Livia was still held in high regard during Nero’s reign, and she was still highly regarded after the Julio-Claudian dynasty ended in 68 AD."
Dive into the world of Rome's first Empress and discover the makings of a legend. Tune in now!
For more historical insights, visit Martini Fisher’s website and check out her book “Time Maps: Matriarchy and the Goddess Culture”.
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