❝ Cleopatra Selene was the most important royal woman of the early Augustan period…Despite the self destruction of her parents…Cleopatra Selene could point to them representing a lineage that typified the best of Hellenistic monarchy and Roman aristocracy. Her vigorous promotion of her mother’s legacy stood in sharp contrast to the negative image being disseminated in contemporary Augustan poetry. In theory, she could claim rule of almost all of North Africa and presumably was greatly respected throughout her actual territories. Her promotion of art and scholarship provided a transition between Hellenistic monarchy and Rome…She was also an important player in the establishment of the role of aristocratic women in the Augustan world….thus assisting in the elevation of women throughout the Augustan world. ❞

─ Duane W. Roller, Cleopatra’s Daughter: And Other Royal Women of the Augustan Era

She abused the indulgence of fortune no less than that of her father. Of course her love of literature and considerable culture, a thing easy to come by in that household, and also her kindness and gentleness and utter freedom from vindictiveness had won her immense popularity, and people who knew about her faults were amazed that she combined them with qualities so much their opposite.

Her father had more than once, speaking in a manner indulgent but serious, advised her to moderate her luxurious mode of life and her choice of conspicuous associates. (…) Augustus persuaded himself that his daughter was light-hearted almost to the point of indiscretion, but above reproach. (…) He used to tell his friends that he had two somewhat wayward daughters whom he had to put up with, the Roman republic and Julia.

One day she came into his presence in a somewhat risque costume, and though he said nothing, he was offended. The next day she changed her style and embraced her father, who was delighted by the respectability which she was affecting. Augustus, who the day before had concealed his distress, was now unable to conceal his pleasure. “How much more suitable”, he remarked, “for a daughter of Augustus is this costume!” Julia did not fail to stand up for herself. “Today”, she said, “I dressed to be looked at by my father, yesterday to be looked at by my husband.”

Here is another well-known story. At a gladiatorial show Livia and Julia drew the attention of the people by the dissimilarity of their companions; Livia was surrounded by respectable men, Julia by men who were not only youthful but extravagant. Her father wrote that she ought to notice the difference between the two princesses, but Julia wittily wrote back, “These men will be old when I am old”.

Julia’s hair began early to go grey, and she used to pluck out hairs in private; one day her father came in suddenly and surprised her beauty specialists at their work. Augustus noticed the grey hairs on their clothing. In another conversation some time later he raised the question of age, and asked his daughter whether as time went on she would rather be grey-haired, he contradicted her by saying, “So why are those women in such a hurry to make you bald?”

I always knew I could be the one Though I feel the endless pain of being And I am scorched by the sun Of humble origins and born of the cursed sex

Agrippa doesn’t want your power, he wants your love!

historical figures → octavia minor

Octavia, byname Octavia Minor, (born c. 69 BC—died 11 BC), was the full sister of Octavian (later the emperor Augustus) and wife of Mark Antony.

make me choose: julia augusti or livia: @chryseis

Julia Augusti Filia, (39 BCE - died CE 14) was the Roman emperor Augustus’ only child, whose scandalous behaviour eventually caused him to exile her.

Julia’s mother was Scribonia, who was divorced by Augustus when the child was a few days old. Julia was brought up strictly, her every word and action being watched. After a brief marriage to Marcus Marcellus, who died in 23 BC, Julia wedded Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Augustus’ chief lieutenant, in 21 BC. Their two eldest sons were adopted by Augustus in 17 BC and given the names Gaius and Lucius Caesar. Julia had a third son, Agrippa Postumus, and two daughters, Julia and Vipsania (later known as Agrippina the Elder).

With Agrippa’s death in 12 BC, Augustus’ wife, Livia, was able to convince him to favour her own sons by a former marriage, Tiberius and Drusus, as possible successors; Augustus forced Tiberius to divorce his wife and marry Julia in 11 BC. It was an unwanted and unhappy marriage for both of them. After an infant son by Julia perished in 6 BC, Tiberius went into voluntary exile, leaving Julia in Rome. Julia was accused of leading a promiscuous life, her adulteries becoming common knowledge in Rome. An affair with Mark Antony’s son Jullus Antonius was politically dangerous.

Finally Augustus discovered how Julia was behaving. After threatening her with death, he banished her to Pandataria, an island off the coast of Campania, in 2 BC. In AD 4 she was moved to Rhegium. Upon becoming emperor, Tiberius withheld her allowance, and Julia eventually died of malnutrition.

PERIOD DRAMA APPRECIATION WEEK | Day 1: Fav Period Drama

Diane Kruger as Helen of Sparta in Troy (2004)

make me choose: @elcctra: electra or orestes

Moodboards → Eivor Varinsdottir