Fulvia
Fulvia was a prominent figure in the late Roman Republic, born in the early first century BCE to a politically connected family. She was married three times, first to the demagogue Clodius Pulcher, then to Scribonius Curio, and most famously to Marc Antony. Known for her strong political influence, Fulvia played a significant role during the turbulent times of the Roman triumvirate formed by Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus. While Antony was in Egypt, Fulvia represented his interests in Rome and sought to delay land redistribution to veterans, advocating for Antony's return.
Her determination led her to take military action against Octavian, raising an army and even personally leading troops in battle. Despite her efforts, she was ultimately defeated and exiled to Sicyon, where she died shortly before Antony could reunite with her. Fulvia's legacy is notable for challenging traditional gender roles of her time, and she is recognized as the first non-mythological woman to appear on Roman coins. Though history often labels her a traitor due to her opposition to Octavian, her actions demonstrate a significant level of agency and influence for a woman in Ancient Rome.
Fulvia
- Born: c. 85/80 b.c.e.
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: 40 b.c.e.
- Place of death: Sicyon, Greece
Roman matrona and revolutionary
Cause of notoriety: Fulvia led a military campaign against Octavian Caesar on behalf of her husband Marc Antony.
Active: 41-40 b.c.e.
Locale: Rome, later Perusia
Sentence: Exile to Greece
Early Life
Fulvia (FUHL-vee-ah) was born sometime during the early first century b.c.e. to Marcus Fulvius Flaccus Bambulus and Sempronia, daughter of Gaius Gracchus. Fulvia’s first husband was the demagogue Clodius Pulcher. After his death in 52 b.c.e., Fulvia married Scribonius Curio, a tribune who supported Julius Caesar in his rise to power. When Scribonius died, Fulvia wed her third and most famous husband, Marc Antony. According to Plutarch, Fulvia was a woman who was not interested in domestic tasks; she dominated Antony both at home and in his political actions.
Political Career
With Antony, Lepidus and Octavian Caesar formed the second Roman triumvirate in 44 b.c.e. Fulvia offered her daughter Clodia (Fulvia’s daughter by Clodius Pulcher) in marriage to Octavian to strengthen the political alliance between Octavian and Antony. A short time later, the triumvirs Octavian (destined to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus), Lepidus, and Antony divided the Roman provinces among them. Octavian took charge of Italy, while Lepidus took the western provinces, and Antony sailed to Egypt. There Antony met the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII and began an affair with her.
While Antony was in Egypt, Fulvia was representing his political interests in Rome. Octavian was planning to redistribute lands within Italy to the veteran soldiers who had supported him during his rise to power. Fulvia wanted to delay the redistribution of land until Antony returned from Egypt and asked the veterans to support Antony. Octavian divorced Clodia and started a propaganda campaign against Fulvia.
Fulvia eventually decided to take military action against Octavian. She and her brother-in-law Lucius Antonius raised eight legions of Roman troops to support Antony against Octavian’s power grab. According to Dio Cassius, Fulvia personally led troops against Octavian’s forces in early battles. Her army was able to occupy the city of Rome only for a short time before it was driven out and retreated to the city of Perusia. Octavian laid siege to Perusia during the winter of 41-40 b.c.e. and eventually starved Fulvia and her troops into surrendering.
Legal Action and Outcome
During Fulvia’s campaign against Octavian, Octavian held a gathering of war veterans that turned into a de facto trial, at which Octavian convinced the veterans and his followers that Fulvia and Antony were traitors to Rome. After the siege of Perusia, Fulvia surrendered and was exiled to Sicyon on the Gulf of Corinth, where she fell ill and died while Antony was on his way to meet her.
Impact
In a time when women were expected to run the household and raise children, Fulvia was not only able to raise an army; she also was remembered for it. The fact that she is the first nonmythological woman featured on Roman coins speaks of her importance. History considers her a traitor only because she happened to be on the losing side. If Antony and his supporters had carried the day, Fulvia may well have been honored as a heroine by the Romans.
Bibliography
Bauman, Richard A. Women and Politics in Ancient Rome. New York: Routledge, 1992. A study of women’s involvement in and influence over politics and society in antiquity.
Fraschetti, Augusto, ed. Roman Women. Translated by Linda Lappin. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001. A collection of essays of influential Roman women.
Hemelrijk, Emily A. Matrona Docta: Educated Women in the Roman Elite, from Cornelia to Julia Domna. New York: Routledge, 1999. Explores the opportunities available to upper-class Roman women (including Fulvia) to acquire an education.
Kleiner, Diana E. E., and Susan Matheson, eds. I, Claudia: Women in Ancient Rome. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1996. A comprehensive study of women as depicted in Roman art.
Pomeroy, Sarah B., ed. Women’s History and Ancient History. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1991. A collection of essays on the roles of women in ancient history, as portrayed by the ancient sources.