Livia Drusilla Tells About Her Role as the Brains and Support Behind Caesar Augustus

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My name is Livia Drusilla, and I was the wife of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, and one of the most powerful women in Roman history. I didn’t fight in battles or give speeches in the Senate, but believe me—I shaped the future of the Roman Empire from behind the scenes. I lived through the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, and helped build a dynasty that would rule Rome for generations. Let me tell you my story.

I was born in 58 BC into a prominent Roman family. My early life was marked by political chaos, as the Republic was falling apart. I was first married to Tiberius Claudius Nero, and we had a son—Tiberius, who would one day become emperor himself. But when I was still young, something unexpected happened. Gaius Octavius, who would become Augustus, met me and fell in love—despite the fact that I was already married and pregnant. In a bold and controversial move, he married me anyway, and we were together for more than 50 years.

Though I never held a political office, I was always deeply involved in politics. I was smart, well-educated, and knew how to navigate the world of Roman power. I advised Augustus, helped manage the imperial household, and promoted laws that supported traditional Roman values like marriage, motherhood, and morality. People came to me for guidance—and I gave it, quietly and skillfully. I made sure the empire ran smoothly while Augustus ruled.

Some say I was manipulative, even ruthless. Historians have accused me of poisoning rivals and plotting to make my son Tiberius the next emperor. Did I do all that? Well, I’ll let history debate that. But what’s true is that I worked hard to protect my family’s future and ensure a peaceful transfer of power after Augustus died. When he passed in 14 AD, Tiberius became emperor—thanks in no small part to my influence.

After Augustus died, he was declared a god, and I was given the title “Augusta,” the first woman in Rome to be honored in that way. I continued to guide and influence the empire during my son’s rule, even though our relationship became strained. I died in 29 AD, at the age of 86—a long life for anyone, especially someone at the center of so much political drama.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: power doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers. You don’t have to be the one on the throne to shape history. With wisdom, patience, and determination, even someone working behind the scenes can change the world. Thank you for listening.

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