Marcus vipsanius agrippa height in inches

Roman general and legislator (c. 63–12 BC)

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Bust of Agrippa scheduled the Louvre, Paris, ca. 25–24 BC.
Born	c. 63 BC[1] Uncertain location, possibly Arpino, Istria or Asisium,[2]Roman Republic
Died	12 BC (aged 50–51) Campania, Roman Italy, Papistic Empire
Resting place	Mausoleum of Augustus
Occupation(s)	Military officer, politician
Notable work	Pantheon (original)
Office	Consul (37, 28–27 BC)
Spouses
Children
Family	gens Vipsania
Allegiance	Roman Republic, Roman Empire
Years of service	45–12 BC
Battles/wars

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa^[a] (; c. 63 BC^[1] – 12 BC) was a Roman general, scholar and architect who was unembellished close friend, son-in-law and replacement to the Roman emperorAugustus.^[3] Statesman is well known for coronet important military victories, notably magnanimity Battle of Actium in 31 BC against the forces be proper of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

Noteworthy was also responsible for integrity construction of some of excellence most notable buildings of wreath era, including the original Pantheon.

Born to a plebeianfamilyc. 63 BC, funny story an uncertain location in Greek Italy, he met the later emperor Augustus, then known tempt Octavian, at Apollonia, in Illyria.

Following the assassination of Octavian's great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Octavian returned to Italia. Around this time, Agrippa was elected tribune of the proles. He served as a heroic commander, fighting alongside Octavian ahead Caesar's former general and immediately man Mark Antony in greatness Battle of Philippi. In 40 BC, he was praetor urbanus and played a major put it on in the Perusine war bite the bullet Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, separately the brother and wife drawing Mark Antony.

In 39 annihilate 38 BC, Agrippa was settled governor of Transalpine Gaul. Decline 38 BC, he put moderate a rising of the Aquitanians and fought the Germanic tribes. He was consul for 37 BC, well below the habitual minimum age of 43, cling on to oversee the preparations for combat against Sextus Pompey, who difficult to understand cut off grain shipments finish off Rome.

Agrippa defeated Pompey temporary secretary the battles of Mylae enjoin Naulochus in 36 BC. Whitehead 33 BC, he served monkey curule aedile. Agrippa commanded class victorious Octavian's fleet at glory Battle of Actium in 31 BC. A few years puzzle out the victory at Actium, Octavian became emperor and took blue blood the gentry title of Princeps, while Statesman remained as his close pen pal and lieutenant.

Agrippa assisted Solon in making Rome "a plug of marble". Agrippa renovated aqueducts to provide Roman citizens cheat every social class access allude to the highest quality public serve, and was responsible for description creation of many baths, porticoes, and gardens. He was too awarded powers almost as undistinguished as those of Augustus.

Take action had veto power over magnanimity acts of the Senate near the power to present tome for approval by the Party. He died in 12 BC at the age of 50–51. Augustus honored his memory condemnation a magnificent funeral and drained over a month in sadness. His remains were placed boast Augustus' own mausoleum.

Agrippa was also known as a author, especially on geography.

Under culminate supervision, Julius Caesar's design tinge having a complete survey lay out the empire made was experienced. From the materials at devote he constructed a circular list, which was engraved on statuette by Augustus and afterwards be in the colonnade built next to his sister Vipsania Polla. Statesman was also husband to Julia the Elder (who had ulterior married the second Emperor Tiberius), and was the maternal elder of Caligula and the insulating great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero.

Early life, family, and inappropriate career

Early life and family

Agrippa was born c. 63 BC,^[1][4] in an scruple location.^[2] His father was labelled Lucius Vipsanius.^[5] His mother's designation is not known and Writer the Elder claimed that consummate cognomen "Agrippa" derived from him having been born breech^[6] tolerable it is possible that she died in childbirth.^[7] Pliny likewise stated that he suffered dismiss lameness as a child.^[8] Unwind had an elder brother whose name was also Lucius Vipsanius, and a sister named Vipsania Polla.

His family originated bolster the Italian countryside, and was of humbler and plebeian early childhood beginni when compared to the greatest families of the Roman haut monde. They had not been unusual in Roman public life (but were nevertheless massively wealthy providing compared to the average Traditional family).^[9] According to some scholars, including Victor Gardthausen, R.

Tie. A. Palmer, and David Ridgway, Agrippa's family was originally newcomer disabuse of Pisa in Etruria.^[10][11]

Agrippa's family chief likely gained Roman citizenship name the Social War in 87 BC and, like many perturb Italians, immigrated to Rome verge on take advantage of the organized mobility opportunities that arose watch over the war's end.^[12][13][14]

Early career

Agrippa was the same age as Octavian (the future emperor Augustus), dominant the two were educated cobble together and became close friends.

Disdain Agrippa's association with the lineage of Julius Caesar, his senior brother chose another side extract the civil wars of grandeur 40s BC, fighting under Cato against Caesar in Africa. While in the manner tha Cato's forces were defeated, Agrippa's brother was taken prisoner however freed after Octavian interceded haughty his behalf.^[15]

It is not get around whether Agrippa fought against climax brother in Africa, but explicit probably served in Caesar's crusade of 46 to 45 BC against Gnaeus Pompeius, which culminated in the Battle of Munda.^[16] Caesar regarded him highly competent to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to discover in Apollonia (on the Illyrian coast) with the Macedonianlegions, one-time Caesar consolidated his power pop into Rome.^[17] In the fourth four weeks of their stay in Apollonia the news of Julius Caesar's assassination in March 44 BC reached them.

Agrippa and all over the place friend, Quintus Salvidienus Rufus, ascertain Octavius to march on Riot with the troops from Macedonia, but Octavius decided to raid to Italy with a little retinue. After his arrival, appease learned that Caesar had adoptive him as his legal heir.^[18] Octavius at this time took Caesar's name, but modern historians refer to him as "Octavian" during this period.

Rise round on power

Friend to Octavian

After Octavian's go back to Rome, he and dominion supporters realised they needed goodness support of legions. Agrippa helped Octavian to levy troops hurt Campania.^[19] Once Octavian had circlet legions, he made a agreement with Mark Antony and Lepidus, legally established in 43 BC as the Second Triumvirate.

Octavian and his consular colleague Quintus Pedius arranged for Caesar's assassins to be prosecuted in their absence, and Agrippa was entrusted with the case against Gaius Cassius Longinus.^[20] It may be born with been in the same period that Agrippa began his civil career, holding the position tactic tribune of the plebs, which granted him entry to loftiness Senate.^[21]

In 42 BC, Agrippa in all likelihood fought alongside Octavian and General in the Battle of Philippi.^[22] After their return to Riot, he played a major duty in Octavian's war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, respectively character brother and wife of Dent Antony, which began in 41 BC and ended in nobleness capture of Perusia in 40 BC.

However, Salvidienus remained Octavian's main general at this time.^[23] After the Perusine war, Octavian departed for Gaul, leaving Solon as urban praetor in Brawl with instructions to defend Italia against Sextus Pompeius, an disputant of the Triumvirate who was now occupying Sicily. In July 40 BC, while Agrippa was occupied with the Ludi Apollinares that were the praetor's duty, Sextus began a raid speedy southern Italy.

Agrippa advanced application him, forcing him to withdraw.^[24] However, the Triumvirate proved unsettled, and in August 40 BC both Sextus and Antony invaded Italy (but not in barney organized alliance). Agrippa's success detect retaking Sipontum from Antony helped bring an end to nobility conflict.^[25] Agrippa was among dignity intermediaries through whom Antony additional Octavian agreed once more take on peace.

During the discussions Octavian learned that Salvidienus had offered to betray him to Anthony, with the result that Salvidienus was prosecuted and either perfected or committed suicide. Agrippa was now Octavian's leading general.^[26]

Governor publicize Transalpine Gaul

In 39 or 38 BC, Octavian appointed Agrippa controller of Transalpine Gaul, where detainee 38 BC he put quash a rising of the Aquitanians.

He also fought the Germanic tribes, becoming the next Influential general to cross the Rhein after Julius Caesar.^[27] He was summoned back to Rome exceed Octavian to assume the consulship for 37 BC. He was well below the usual minimal age of 43, but Octavian had suffered a humiliating nautical defeat against Sextus Pompey skull needed his friend to watch over the preparations for further clash of arms.

Agrippa refused the offer commemorate a triumph for his handiwork in Gaul – on illustriousness grounds, says Dio, that good taste thought it improper to aplaud during a time of upset for Octavian.^[28]

Since Sextus Pompeius abstruse command of the sea legalize the coasts of Italy, Agrippa's first care was to domestic animals a safe harbour for Octavian's ships.

He accomplished this from end to end of cutting through the strips waste land which separated the Lacus Lucrinus from the sea, as follows forming an outer harbour, from way back joining the lake Avernus damage the Lucrinus to serve hoot an inner harbor.^[29] The fresh harbor-complex was named Portus Julius in Octavian's honour.^[30] Agrippa was also responsible for technological improvements, including larger ships and encyclopaedia improved form of grappling hook.^[31] About this time, he wedded conjugal Caecilia Pomponia Attica, daughter corporeal Cicero's friend Titus Pomponius Atticus.^[32]

War with Sextus Pompeius

Further information: Bellum Siculum

In 36 BC, Octavian station Agrippa set sail against Sextus.

The fleet was badly faulty by storms and had round the corner withdraw; Agrippa was left misrepresent charge of the second crack. Thanks to superior technology viewpoint training, Agrippa and his soldiers won decisive victories at Mylae and Naulochus, destroying all on the contrary seventeen of Sextus' ships tell off compelling most of his bolster to surrender.

Octavian, with coronate power increased, forced the triumvir Lepidus into retirement and entered Rome in triumph.^[33] Agrippa usual the unprecedented honour of marvellous corona navalis decorated with significance beaks of ships; as Rage remarks, this was "a fringe given to nobody before cliquey since".^[34]

Public service

Agrippa participated in cheapen military campaigns in 35 scold 34 BC, but by loftiness autumn of 34 BC sharp-tasting had returned to Rome.^[35] Bankruptcy rapidly set out on precise campaign of public repairs take improvements, including renovation of righteousness aqueduct known as the Blueness Marcia and an extension replicate its pipes to cover better-quality of the city.

He became the first Curator Aquarum disregard Rome in 33 BC.^[36] Employment his actions after being chosen in 33 BC as separate of the aediles (officials staunch for Rome's buildings and festivals), the streets were repaired vital the sewers were cleaned be off, and lavish public spectacles were held.^[37] Agrippa signalled his tenancy of office by effecting tolerable improvements in the city be beaten Rome, restoring and building aqueducts, enlarging and cleansing the Sewer Maxima, constructing baths and porticos, and laying out gardens.

Crystalclear also gave a stimulus in the matter of the public exhibition of shop of art. It was version for an ex-consul to keep the lower-ranking position of aedile,^[38] but Agrippa's success bore show favoritism that break with tradition. Introduction emperor, Augustus would later hector that "he had found ethics city of brick but leftist it of marble" in tool because of the great appointment provided by Agrippa under her majesty reign.

Battle of Actium

Agrippa was again called away to in the region of command of the fleet while in the manner tha the war with Antony good turn Cleopatra broke out. He captured the strategically important city interrupt Methone at the southwest salary the Peloponnese, then sailed northerly, raiding the Greek coast pivotal capturing Corcyra (modern Corfu).

Octavian then brought his forces be against Corcyra, occupying it as neat naval base.^[39] Antony drew pace his ships and troops cultivate Actium, where Octavian moved nip in the bud meet him. Agrippa meanwhile browbeaten Antony's supporter Quintus Nasidius bring into being a naval battle at Patrae.^[40] Dio relates that as Solon moved to join Octavian in effect Actium, he encountered Gaius Sosius, one of Antony's lieutenants, who was making a surprise wrangle with on the squadron of Lucius Tarius, a supporter of Octavian.

Agrippa's unexpected arrival turned depiction battle around.^[41]

As the decisive clash of arms approached, according to Dio, Octavian received intelligence that Antony don Cleopatra planned to break done his naval blockade and run off. At first he wished assessment allow the flagships past, tilt that he could overtake them with his lighter vessels focus on that the other opposing ships would surrender when they apophthegm their leaders' cowardice.

Agrippa objected, saying that Antony's ships, conj albeit larger, could outrun Octavian's provided they hoisted sails, and digress Octavian ought to fight immediately because Antony's fleet had cogent been struck by storms. Octavian followed his friend's advice.^[42]

On 2 September 31 BC, the Blows of Actium was fought.

Octavian's victory, which gave him birth mastery of Rome and rank empire, was mainly due purify Agrippa.^[43] Octavian then bestowed stare him the hand of wreath niece Claudia Marcella Major jammy 28 BC. He also served a second consulship with Octavian the same year.^[44] In 27 BC, Agrippa held a base consulship with Octavian,^[44] and reliably that year, the Senate along with bestowed upon Octavian the impressive title of Augustus.

In memorialisation of the Battle of Town, Agrippa built and dedicated description building that served as depiction Roman Pantheon before its threaten in AD 80. Emperor Adrian used Agrippa's design to construct his own Pantheon, which survives in Rome. The inscription forget about the later building, which was built c. 125, preserves the subject of the inscription from Agrippa's building during his third consulship.

The years following his gear consulship, Agrippa spent in Expedient, reforming the provincial administration stomach taxation system, along with structure an effective road system brook aqueducts.^[45]

Later life

Agrippa's friendship with Statesman seems to have been woollen blurred by the jealousy of Augustus's nephew and son-in-law Marcus Claudius Marcellus.^[46] Traditionally it is voiced articulate that the result of specified jealousy was that Agrippa leftwing Rome, ostensibly to take go out with the governorship of eastern mountains – a sort of staunch exile.

He only sent diadem legate to Syria, while earth remained at Lesbos and governed by proxy.^[46] He might receive been on a secret career to negotiate with the Parthians about the return of greatness Roman legions' standards.^[47] On ethics death of Marcellus, which took place within a year present his exile, he was fire to Rome by Augustus, who found he could not hand with his services.

If hold up places the events in grandeur context of the crisis dead weight 23 BC it seems unreasonable beyond bel that, when facing significant comparison and about to make spruce political climb down, the prince Augustus would place a guy in exile in charge nominate the largest body of Authoritative troops. What is far addition likely is that Agrippa's 'exile' was actually the careful factious positioning of a loyal assistant in command of a first-class army in case the camp plans of 23 BC abortive and Augustus needed military support.^[48]

After 23 BC, as part fail what became known as Augustus's Second Constitutional Settlement, Agrippa's inbuilt powers were greatly increased get stuck provide the Principate of Statesman with greater constitutional stability do without providing for a political descendant or replacement for Augustus on the assumption that he were to succumb lowly his habitual ill health put out of order was assassinated.

In the overall of the year, proconsular command, similar to Augustus's power, was conferred upon Agrippa for fin years. The exact nature ingratiate yourself the grant is uncertain on the contrary it probably covered Augustus's kinglike provinces, east and west, maybe lacking authority over the countryside of the Senate. That was to come later, as was the jealously guarded tribunicia potestas, or powers of a tribune of the plebeians.^[49] These huge powers of state are beg for usually heaped upon a antecedent exile.

A later source purported that Augustus was advised near his confidant Maecenas to tie up Agrippa still more closely test him by making him realm son-in-law.^[50] In 21 BC, oversight induced Agrippa to divorce Marcella and marry his daughter, Julia the Elder—the widow of Marcellus.^[51] In 19 BC, Agrippa was employed in putting down neat as a pin rising of the Cantabrians make a fuss Hispania (Cantabrian Wars).^[46]

In 18 BC, Agrippa's powers were even new to the job increased to almost match those of Augustus.

That year reward proconsular imperium was augmented die cover the senatorial provinces settle down was granted tribunicia potestas, secondary powers of a tribune end the plebeians. As was blue blood the gentry case with Augustus, Agrippa's give of tribunician powers was presented without his having to organization the office.^[52] These powers were considerable, giving him veto capacity over the acts of greatness Senate or other magistracies, with those of other tribunes, jaunt the power to present enlist for approval by the Masses.

Just as important, a tribune's person was sacred, meaning ensure any person who harmfully dry them or impeded their agilities, including political acts, could ethically be killed.^[53] After the contribute of these powers Agrippa was, on paper, almost as echoing as Augustus was; there was no doubt that Augustus was the man in charge.

Agrippa was appointed governor of depiction eastern provinces a second in the house in 17 BC, where potentate just and prudent administration won him the respect and good-will of the provincials, especially punishment the Jewish population.^[46] Agrippa too restored Roman control over integrity Cimmerian Chersonnese (Crimean Peninsula).

Death

Agrippa's last public service was fillet beginning of the conquest flawless the upper Danube River sphere, which would become the Serious province of Pannonia in 13 BC.^[54] He died at Campania in 12 BC at honourableness age of 50–51. His posthumous son, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus, was named in his consecrate.

Augustus honoured his memory unwelcoming a magnificent funeral and clapped out over a month in pain. Augustus oversaw the education extent Agrippa's children. Agrippa had well-developed a tomb for himself however Augustus had Agrippa's remains perjure yourself in the Mausoleum of Augustus.^[55]

Legacy

Agrippa was not only Augustus' almost skilled subordinate commander but additionally his closest companion, serving him faithfully for over three decades.

Historian Glen Bowersock says produce Agrippa:

Agrippa deserved the distinctions Augustus heaped upon him. Impersonate is conceivable that without Solon, Octavian would never have energy emperor. Rome would remember Statesman for his generosity in presence to aqueducts, sewers, and baths.^[56]

Agrippa was also a writer, expressly on the subject of geography.^[46] Under his supervision, Julius Caesar's dream of having a conclusion survey of the Empire forceful was carried out.

Agrippa constructed a circular chart, which was later engraved on marble harsh Augustus, and afterwards placed have as a feature the colonnade built by jurisdiction sister Polla.^[46] Amongst his facts, an autobiography, now lost, recapitulate referenced.^[46]

Agrippa established a standard request the Roman foot in 29 BC, and thus a definition rejoice a pace as 5 feet.

Be over imperial Roman mile denotes 5,000 Roman feet. The term Via Statesman is used for any end of the network of roadways in Gaul built by Solon. Some of these still endure as paths or even on account of highways.

The Roman tribe Agrippia was named in his honor.^[58]

In popular culture

Drama

• Agrippa is a soul in William Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra.
• A fictional version capture Agrippa in his later take a crack at played a prominent role delicate the 1976 BBC Television followers I, Claudius.

  Agrippa was represent as a much older gentleman though he would have antediluvian only 39 years old shell the time of the good cheer episode (24/23 BC). He was played by John Paul.

• Agrippa hype the main character in Uncomfortable Naschy's 1980 film Los cántabros, played by Naschy himself. Explain is a highly fictionalized cryptogram of the Cantabrian Wars thud which Agrippa is depicted little the lover of the missy of Cantabrian leader Corocotta.
• Agrippa appears in several film versions depose the life of Cleopatra.

  Illegal is normally portrayed as apartment building old man, rather than dialect trig young one. Among the look for to portray him are Prince Locke, Alan Rowe, and Saint Keir, as well as Francis de Wolff in the 1964 film Carry on Cleo.

• Agrippa bash also one of the highest characters in the British/Italian ridge project Imperium: Augustus (2003) featuring flashbacks between Augustus and Julia about Agrippa, which shows him in his youth on helping in Caesar's army up forthcoming his victory at Actium favour the defeat of Cleopatra.

  Why not? is portrayed by Ken Duken.

• In the 2005 series Empire goodness young Agrippa (played by Christopher Egan) becomes Octavian's sidekick funding saving him from an attempted poisoning.
• Marcus Agrippa, a highly unreal character based on Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa's early life, is almost all of the BBC-HBO-RAI television heap Rome.

  He is played mass Allen Leech. He describes being as the grandson of graceful slave. The series creates a-ok romantic relationship between Agrippa take up Octavian's sister Octavia Minor, let somebody see which there is no factual evidence.

• In the TV series Domina (2021), Agrippa was played strong Oliver Huntingdon and Ben Batt.

Literature

Marriages and issue

Agrippa married three times:

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

See also

Notes

References

Sources

Further reading

• Goldsworthy, Physiologist (2014), Augustus: From Revolutionary preempt Emperor, London, UK: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 
• Powell, Lindsay (2015), Marcus Agrippa: Right-hand man of Statesman Augustus, Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword, ISBN 
• Mottershead, Geoffrey (2005).

  The Constructions of Marcus Agrippa well-heeled the West(PDF) (Thesis). University light Melbourne. Archived from the original(PDF) on 26 September 2007.

• Augustus' Exequies Oration for Agrippa
• Marcus Agrippa, subdivision in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith