Nero’s power and strength derived from his mother, Agrippina the Younger. At the beginning of his rule Agrippina acted as a regent, taking control of many aspects of the empire. She manipulated Nero so much that she in essence ran the empire from behind the scenes. Her constant predilection for manipulation eventually causing her son’s rebellion and possible madness as he began to despise her, giving way to her fall of power and ultimately her death. In the words of Tacitus, “she could give her son the empire, but not endure him as emperor”.
Livia was portrayed as the patron of family life being both the first wife and mother of the state, symbol of chaste and old-fashioned Roman womanhood. As Livia was the wife of Augustus, she was granted many privileges. Firstly, in 35BC she was given the sacrosanctity of a tribune. This was significant as this was the first time it had ever been given to a woman who was not a Vestal Virgin. In 35BC she was given the unprecedented honour of managing her own finances, this was important because it gave Livia independence and had set an example to the woman of Rome which had then influenced the woman to be of the same.
In AD 39, Agrippina was exiled because she was accused of aligning with others in order to overthrow her brother, Gaius Caesar. However, in AD 41, Gaius was assassinated and Claudius became Princeps. Agrippina was recalled back to Rome and was considered to be a candidate for Claudius’ fourth marriage, after his marriage to Messalina had failed. Agrippina, had the advantage of a niece, and used it to make sexual advances upon Claudius. Her alliance with Marcus Antonius Pallas proved to be a significant factor in Agrippina’s marriage to Claudius.
Accounts differ greatly, but the results are the same, Claudius is dead and Agrippina’s son became Emperor. ‘…the fact remains that the death of Claudius certainly did not happen just by chance to complete a carefully laid plan and that Agrippina was not the woman to be deterred by scruples from putting the finishing touches to her work.’ Agrippina wanted her son to be emperor, thereby increasing her own power and influence. The highly suspicious and transparent way in which she got rid of Claudius lead many of the senate, even those who supported her, to be wary. ‘Agrippina with unscrupulous skill had so prepared the way for her sixteen-year-old son that the transference of power from Claudius to Nero was
Ancient History Assessment: Agrippina the Younger 1. Describe the representations of Agrippina the younger in the ancient sources Agrippina the Younger was the only woman to be a sister, a wife and a mother to three of the four emperors. Due to this, her role in the workings of the Roman government was significant, emphasising her power within her family and her ability to manipulate those around her. Representations of her can been seen in an assortment of places in both literary and archaeological sources, depicting the many ways she was interpreted during her time. Statues and sculptures of Agrippina were designed to show her brilliance and power she held in society, especially the sculpture from the Sebasteion in Aphrodisias.
While Edward was in power, Queen Elizabeth I was allowed to live quietly; after Edward’s death in 1553, Mary became queen. Mary was a Roman Catholic, but Queen Elizabeth I was not a religious person; however, she understood Mary’s decision to marry the Catholic Prince Phillip II of Spain (Ellis). Later, while Phillip saw his wife childless and ill, he saw Queen Elizabeth I as a very suitable woman to assume the position of queen (Ellis). Mary died on November 17, 1558, and Queen Elizabeth I finally became queen at the age of 25. Queen Elizabeth I had to undergo a tremendous amount of pain, grief, and suffering to acquire the throne, but once she received it, she was the greatest ruler that England had.
It is obvious an issue that women politicians face. I would say that fact was proven, when the Republican party decided to elect Sarah Palin for its Vice President. Not only did Palin give the Republican a running mate that could hopefully pull from the Hillary Clinton supporters, but it also gave them someone almost opposite of Hillary. Palin was younger, a former beauty queen, yet nowhere near as knowledgable as Clinton. The supposed unfair treatment did not go unnoticed.
Agrippina the Younger Agrippina was one of the most influential women of her time. She had achieved powers and honours, previously unachievable by Roman women. Even Livia, wife of the great Augustus Caesar, did not hold the range of powers bestowed on Agrippina herself. The reason behind her power is her use of her incredible linage to impose herself upon the political scene. Part of the reason behind Agrippina’s power was her close proximity to some of the most powerful men in the ancient world, she was the great-granddaughter of the great Augustus: who also had achieved a deified status, daughter of Germanicus: said to be the reincarnation of Apollo himself, sister of an emperor (Caligula), wife of an emperor (Claudius), and mother of an emperor (Nero).
The power of the factions was mainly determined by the woman in Henry's life at the time. Due to Henry's Marriage to Catherine Howard between 1540 -1542 the conservative faction had the upper hand. She had been a key player in Norfolk's scheme to lure Henry away from Cromwell to ensure the rise of the conservative faction. However, the power of the conservatives was short lived as the fall of Catherine Howard was disastrous for Norfolk and the conservative faction. In 1543 a very weak and ill Henry married his last wife, Catherine Parr.
Medea cause more damage to others in the play; however, Jason is the reason Medea causes damage to others. Jason left Medea for a princess, after Jason marries the princess Medea wanted revenge for him leaving her. “For Jason had turned from her; he calls the old bond a barbarian mating, not a Greek marriage he has cast her off.” (Euripides 85) Since Jason caused damage to Medea by leaving her and re-marrying and abandoning his children , she wants to make Jason feel as much pain as