Rome's First Empress

Livia was a pivotal figure in ancient Rome and the Roman Empire in general. Her unique role as the first Roman empress is reflected in the series of honours she received and tasks she accomplished, many of which had never been possible for a Roman woman and some of which would only ever be achieved by her. Her life ushered in several historical changes and many firsts, particularly after her second husband Octavian ended the Roman Republic and founded the Roman Empire. Octavian then became Rome's first emperor and officially took on the title Augustus while Livia, as his wife, became empress and Augusta. Despite her long life, it is difficult to formulate a well-rounded picture of Livia. This is partially a result of the nearly two thousand years that have elapsed since her death. Another contributing factor is that ancient authors often pay little attention to women, and when they discuss them they often provide stereotypes and few personal details. In Livia's case, she is repeatedly overshadowed by the accomplishments of her second husband, the emperor Augustus, and her son, the emperor Tiberius. Even when we do find references to her, some are inherently biased, making it difficult to separate the real story from the spin. Nevertheless, Livia's biography yields important insights into the early period of the Roman Empire. Although many of the places associated with her can no longer be seen, visits to areas such as the Palatino that were significantly associated with Livia provide a deeper connection to her and to the world that she inhabited.

Early Life and First Marriage

We know very little about Livia Drusilla's early life. She was born on January 30 of 59 or 58 in Italy, perhaps in Rome. Her father's family was very distinguished: he came from the Claudius family and was adopted into the Livius family. The Claudii boasted such ancestors as Appius Claudius Caecus, the commissioner of Rome's first aqueduct and its first consular road. The Livius family, on the other hand, included Marcus Livius Drusus, famous for his defence of the plebeians’ rights in Rome at the time of the Gracchi. In contrast, Livia's mother Alfidia likely came from a wealthy family that had not participated in Roman government. Livia was probably their only natural child.