Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
| Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 23 October/November 63 BC Uncertain, possibly Istria or Asisium[1] |
| Died | 12 BC Campania |
| Allegiance | Roman Empire |
| Years of service | 45 BC – 12 BC |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Roman army |
| Battles/wars | |
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (c. 63 BC – 12 BC) was a general of the Roman Empire and a statesman. He was a close friend and brother-in-law of Augustus.
Agrippa's place of birth is not known for sure. It may have been the city of Arpinum. His father was callled Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa (we know this from an inscription on the Pantheon). He had an elder brother, and a sister named Vipsania Polla. The family had not been prominent in Roman public life.
Wives and children
[change | change source]Agrippa first married Caecilia Attica, the daughter of Cicero's friend T. Pomponius Atticus. They a daughter – Vipsania Agrippina, and perhaps another: 'Vipsania Minor'. Vipsania Agrippina became the wife of Tiberius.[2]
By his second marriage to Claudia Marcella (oldest daughter of Octavia) he probably had a single surviving daughter.
His third wife, Julia (daughter of Augustus) bore him three sons and two daughters: Gaius (born 20 BC), Julia the Younger, Lucius (born 17 BC), Agrippina the Elder (born ca. 15 BC), and Postumus Agrippa. The last child was born in 12 BC after the death of Agrippa. Agrippa died in March 12 BC.[3] Agrippa's more famous descendents stem from his daughter Agrippina: they include his grandson Caligula and great-grandson Nero.
Career
[change | change source]Agrippa fought in Caesar's Civil War (49–45 BC), giving help to Octavian against Lucius Antonius. Later services include his defeat of Sextus Pompey at Naolochus, Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, and the fall of Egypt. Later he completed of the conquest of Spain and fought in the North and East. For his valuable services he held three consulships (37, 28, 27 BC). He became Tribune of the plebs in 18 BC and renewed in 13, making him Augustus' unofficial co-emperor. He died at the height of his power in March 12 BC.