Julio-Claudian

As far as expansion under the Empire goes, Njorl is right that most of the expansion under the Julio-Claudian Emperors was basically just the annexation of client kingdoms when their dynasties died out – e.g. Egypt, Galatia, Cappadocia, Mauretania.

Matthew Yglesias » What Would The Roman Empire Do? 2009

Now around twenty-five, she had already received a thorough grounding in the cutthroat world of Julio-Claudian politics that had resulted in the death or exile of so many of her relatives, including most of her immediate family.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

When the remains of this complex, known as a Sebasteion after the Greek word Sebastos, meaning “Augustus” were found, only around half of the original sculptural relief panels survived, but several images of a stellar line-up of the key Julio-Claudian players remained.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

By deifying them he was ensuring that the Spaniards of the Trajanic-Hadrianic dynasty would be well represented in the corridors of heaven, an exercise in one-upmanship over the Julio-Claudian and Flavian clans.30

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

Suddenly the unthinkable was possible for the modestly born Vespasian, a man with no ties whatsoever to Livia or any branch of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

Perhaps in keeping their wives and daughters out of the limelight Trajan, Hadrian, and the other good emperors of the second century succeeded where their Julio-Claudian, and to some extent their Flavian, predecessors failed.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

In 31 Antonia received word that a conspiracy against Tiberius was being masterminded by Sejanus, ambitious to interrupt the Julio-Claudian succession and seize power for himself.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

How do we choose, for example, between the contrasting versions of Livia: the uncomplimentary descriptions of her as an unruly bully by the great Roman historian and fierce Julio-Claudian critic Tacitus; the sly flattery of her as a chaste matron with the beauty of Venus by the poet Ovid; and the appreciation of her stoic fortitude in the face of bereavement by the philosopher Seneca?

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

The future of the Julio-Claudian dynasty now rested in the hands of these four.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010

Such arrangements made great PR for the Julio-Claudian regime, reinforcing their territorial authority as well as earning Livia and Antonia veneration as the maternal figureheads of the empire.

Caesars’ Wives Annelise Freisenbruch 2010