Quick questions on Agrippina the Younger's historical context and family background: HSC Ancient History

The dynasty had been founded by Augustus (Octavian) in 27 BC after his victory over Mark Antony at Actium in 31 BC. By Agrippina's birth in AD 15 the principate had been consolidated; Tiberius, Augustus's stepson and adopted heir, had succeeded the previous year.

The Republic had no formal political role for women. The Principate developed one informally, building on the late-Republican prominence of women like Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi.

Augustus had created nine cohorts (later ten) of elite troops as his personal guard. Tiberius's prefect Sejanus had concentrated them in a single camp (Castra Praetoria) on the eastern edge of Rome in AD 23. The Guard had hailed Claudius emperor after Caligula's assassination in AD 41, in exchange for a donative of 15,000 sesterces per man (Suetonius, Claudius 10). The Guard would matter to Agrippina: Burrus, the prefect she secured for the Guard, was the instrument of Nero's accession.

Established the Principate. Granted his wife Livia the title Augusta in his will. His daughter Julia the Elder (by his second wife Scribonia) was Agrippina the Younger's great-grandmother.

Reigned during Agrippina the Younger's childhood and adolescence. Distrusted Germanicus; the elder Agrippina believed Tiberius had poisoned him in AD 19.

Agrippina the Younger's brother. The early years of his reign elevated his three sisters (Agrippina, Drusilla, Julia Livilla) to unprecedented public honours; the later years exiled them.

Agrippina's uncle (and from AD 49 her husband). Hailed emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula's assassination.

Agrippina's son. The last Julio-Claudian.

Adopted son of Tiberius. Popular general of the Rhine and Eastern campaigns. Died at Antioch in suspicious circumstances; his widow blamed Tiberius and the governor Cnaeus Calpurnius Piso.

Granddaughter of Augustus through Julia the Elder and Marcus Agrippa. A political force in her own right. Tacitus (Annals 1 to 6) treats her as the moral antagonist of Tiberius.

The two elder brothers died in the purges of Sejanus (around AD 31). Caligula survived and ruled.

Honoured alongside Agrippina under Caligula; Drusilla deified after her death in AD 38; Julia Livilla exiled with Agrippina in AD 39.

Wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius. Granted the title Augusta in Augustus's will (AD 14). Held public priesthoods.

Sister of Augustus, second wife of Mark Antony. The Porticus Octaviae and Theatre of Marcellus commemorated her.

Daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia, mother of Germanicus and Claudius, grandmother of Agrippina the Younger. Granted Augusta by Caligula. Politically influential through her household.