Claudia Acte
Claudia Acte was an influential figure in ancient Rome, originally hailing from Asia Minor and possibly of royal descent. She became notable during the reign of Emperor Claudius, particularly for her romantic involvement with Nero, Claudius' stepson. Their relationship began around 55 CE, while Nero was still married to Octavia, marking a significant turning point as he began to assert his independence from his controlling mother, Agrippina the Younger. Tacitus, a prominent Roman historian, describes Acte as a freedwoman who played a pivotal role in Nero's life during a period considered one of the high points of his rule. Although Acte's relationship with Nero was eventually supplanted by Poppaea Sabina in 58 CE, she remained a person of wealth and influence, owning land in Italy and Sardinia. Following Nero's tragic demise in 68 CE, she demonstrated loyalty by ensuring his remains were laid to rest in the tomb of the Domitii. Acte's life and associations highlight the complexities of power dynamics within the imperial household of ancient Rome.
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Subject Terms
Claudia Acte
Related civilization: Early Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Freedwoman, courtesan of the emperor Nero
Life
Originally from Asia Minor and reputedly, though unlikely, a descendant of the former kings of Pergamum, Claudia Acte was a member of the imperial household during the reign of Claudius, Nero’s uncle and predecessor. The Roman historian Tacitus states that she was a freedwoman when she began a liaison with Nero in 55 c.e., while he was still married to Octavia. Up to this point, Nero’s mother, Agrippina the Younger, had maintained control over him, but by developing a relationship with Acte, Nero defied his mother’s wishes. One person who did approve of Nero’s relationship with Acte was his tutor Seneca the Younger, who saw it as a way of freeing Nero from Agrippina’s control. Nero reconciled with his mother within a year, however, and by 58 c.e., Poppaea Sabina replaced Acte in his affections.
Acte owned land in both Italy and Sardinia, and records suggest that she became a wealthy woman. Despite having been dismissed by Nero, when the emperor committed suicide in 68 c.e., Acte reportedly obtained his remains and placed them in the tomb of the Domitii, his family tomb.
Influence
Acte’s relationship with Nero corresponds to the best year of his reign.
Bibliography
Barrett, Anthony A. Agrippina: Sex, Power, and Politics in the Early Empire. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1996.
Griffin, Miriam T. Nero: The End of a Dynasty. Reprint. London: B. T. Batsford, 1996.
Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars. Translated by Robert Graves. London: Viking Press, 2000.