Scribonia
Scribonia, a prominent figure in ancient Roman history, is primarily recognized as the first wife of Octavian, who later became Emperor Augustus. Her marriage to Octavian, which took place around 40-39 BCE, was politically motivated, leveraging her connections to the influential Pompey the Great. Despite their marriage, Scribonia's relationship with Octavian was short-lived; she was divorced on the very day she gave birth to their daughter, Julia. Scribonia was part of a notable senatorial family and had previously been married to the consul Scipio, with her brother playing a significant role during the Roman civil war.
The marriage's failure was attributed to several factors, including a substantial age difference and Octavian's dissatisfaction with her temperament. Following the divorce, Octavian married Livia Drusilla, who would remain his wife for over five decades. Nevertheless, Scribonia's legacy persisted through her daughter Julia, who married influential figures in Rome. Scribonia's later years were marked by her involvement in political opposition against Livia and her son Tiberius. Ultimately, Scribonia experienced exile alongside Julia, solidifying her position as a significant, though often overshadowed, player in the intricate dynamics of Roman power and family ties.
Scribonia
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: First wife of Caesar Augustus
Life
Scribonia (skrih-BOH-nee-uh) is best known as the wife of Octavian (the future Augustus) who bore the indignity of divorce on the very day she gave birth to his daughter Julia. Her marriage to him was rather short (40-39 b.c.e.) and had been arranged because of her ties with Pompey the Great.
Scribonia, from an important senatorial family, had previously married Scipio, who served as consul in Rome, and her brother Lucius Scribonius Libo was famous for his role throughout the Roman civil war. The marriage to Octavian was doomed to failure because of their age difference (she was much older) and because he was annoyed by her temper. A younger woman, the nineteen-year-old Livia Drusilla, stole the youthful Octavian away from her.
Although Livia would be married to Augustus for fifty-two years, Scribonia held the advantage of providing his only offspring, Julia. Therefore, Scribonia’s influence continued behind the scenes while Julia married Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, and Tiberius, all designated as possible successors to Augustus. However, Julia’s adulterous affairs caused her to be exiled, and Scribonia followed her daughter into exile to Pandateria in 2 b.c.e. She outlived Julia and Augustus, who both died in 14 c.e.
Influence
Scribonia played an opposition role in Rome as she sought to discredit Livia and her son Tiberius.
Bibliography
Ferrero, Guglielmo. The Women of the Caesars. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1925.
Suetonius. “Augustus.” In Lives of the Caesars. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2000.