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Antonia – Wife

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Antonia

Antonia-Minor-3

36BC-38AD

The younger daughter of Marc Antony & Octavia
Mother of Emperor Claudius
Grandmother of Emperor Caligula


Antonia the Younger was the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia. Together, the couple produced two daughters, both of whom were named Antonia. The younger Antonia was born about 36 BC. Antonia was a woman of renowned character who had a reputation for honor and dignity. She married Nero Claudius Drusus, Emperor Tiberius’ brother, and Livia’s son, in 16 BC. Antonia was very much devoted to her husband. She gave birth to several children, including Germanicus, future Emperor Claudius, and a daughter named Livilla. Her husband died in 9 BC, and while Roman law prescribed that all widows should remarry, Augustus freed her of that obligation out of respect for her devotion to her husband. Antonia lived her life at court as a Roman matron.

Her elder sister Antonia, although overshadowed by her younger sister, married L. Domitius Ahenobarbus. They had a child named C. Domitius Ahenobarbus, who, in turn, was eventually the father of the future Emperor Nero. Therefore, in their ways, both Antonias contributed to the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Antonia the younger, spent most of her time in Rome or at her estate in Bauli. She was perhaps the closest friend of Livia, the wife of Augustus and her mother-in-law. Antonia was never one who sought power but instead was quite supportive of Emperor Tiberius, who was also her brother-in-law.

Antonia was the one person at court who worked hard to keep order among the often divided personal interests within the Julio-Claudian family. Following Tiberius’ rise to the throne, the conflicts between Antonia’s son Germanicus and Tiberius often placed her as mediator. After the death of Germanicus in 19 AD, she tended to side with Tiberius and Livia against Agrippina (the Elder), the wife of Germanicus and her daughter-in-law. Antonia stood by and watched as the party of Germanicus was later expunged by Tiberius without getting involved.

Antonia did get very much involved in a sinister plot developing in Rome. She became quite concerned with the increasing power of Lucius Aelius Sejanus, the prefect of the Praetorian Guard. It was Sejanus who was the chief ruler of the state as well as the chief executioner in the name of Tiberius. Sejanus had an eye not merely for power but for taking the throne. In the plot to fulfill his ambitions, he murdered Drusus the Younger, who was the son of Tiberius and the husband of Antonia’s daughter Livilla.

The power and corruption of Sejanus became widespread in Rome. Finally, in 31 AD, Antonia sent a letter to Tiberius warning about Sejanus. Tiberius immediately believed the warning, demonstrating the integrity he respects in this woman. Tiberius began to hatch his scheme that would end by bringing Sejanus to justice, where he was put to death. The co-conspirator with Sejanus was Antonia’s daughter Livilla, who had been Sejanus’ mistress. Apicata, the former wife of Sejanus, implicated Livilla in the murder of her husband, Drusus the Younger. It appears as though Sejanus intended to marry Livilla, thus gaining access to the royal family and then on to the rank of Emperor.

Interestingly, Tiberius never moved against Livilla, mostly out of respect for Antonia. Nonetheless, Dio tells us that Antonia personally imprisoned Livilla, who starved to death or killed herself.

In 29 AD, Antonia’s daughter-in-law Agrippina was banished to the island of Pandataria for plotting against Tiberius. Agrippina eventually died there in 33 AD. Antonia, at a rather late age in life, then took the orphaned grandchildren Gaius (Caligula) and Drusilla in her care. Caligula never forgot Antonia’s kindness and granted Antonia the title of Augusta upon his rise to the throne.

Antonia lived long enough to see the madness of Caligula. While honored at first, she soon fell out of favor. Shortly thereafter, it is believed that Antonia committed suicide or may have been poisoned at the order of Emperor Caligula.


Monetary System

Antonia-Cameo

Antonia Cameo

Note: All the coins bearing her name and portrait were struck under her son, the emperor Claudius (41-54 AD).

Mints: Rome


Antonia Aureus Denarius Deupondius As -R

 

DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AR Denarius (3.54 grams)
Æ Dupondius
Æ As


COUNTERSTAMPS

Antonia Ae Counterstamps

Æ Dupondius (Counterstamped “NCAPR” Pangerl 60)
Ӕ Dupondius (monogram of Vespasian) issued during the civil war


CONTEMPORARY COUNTERFEITS

Antonia Contemporary Counterfeits

 

AR Denarius Fourree
Æ Barbarous Imatative Dupondius


MODERN REPRODUCTION

Antonia Ae Paduan Dupondius 16th century


COLONIAL

CRETE

AE26 CRETE (Laur hd Claudius rt/N.C.Drusus facing Antonia) RPC 490

Antonia Macedonia with Caligula RPC 1573

MACEDONIA

Æ21.5 MACEDON, Thessalonica. Gaius Caligula/Antonia


Monetary History of the World
© Martin A. Armstrong