Cornelia
Cornelia was a prominent Roman woman from the late Republican period, known for her exceptional education and influential role in politics. As the daughter of the famed general Scipio Africanus, she received an education that was rare for women of her time, which included training in poetry, oratory, military tactics, and politics. Cornelia was married to Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, a significant statesman, and together they had twelve children, although only three survived to adulthood. She is often remembered for her assertion that she would prefer to be recognized as the mother of the Gracchi, her two sons who became notable political figures, rather than the mother-in-law of Scipio Aemilianus.
Her influence extended beyond her familial connections, as she actively engaged in guiding the political ambitions of her sons, notably Gaius, and demonstrated how a woman could play a critical role within the political landscape of Rome through social networks. Cornelia's legacy paved the way for future influential Roman women, including Octavia and Livia Drusilla, highlighting the potential impact of women in a male-dominated society. Her life exemplifies the complexities of women's roles in ancient Rome and their capacity for influence in both family and politics.
Cornelia
Related civilization:Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Matriarch
Life
The daughter of Scipio Africanus and Aemilia, Cornelia received an education uncommon for women of the time, reputedly receiving training in poetry, oratory, military tactics, and politics, at the request of her honored father.
In 178 b.c.e., she was married to Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, a renowned statesman. The goal of their marriage was to produce children who would have the support of patrician resources and connections on their mother’s side with the advantage of being eligible for the plebeian tribunate, the gift of their father’s plebeian blood.
Cornelia survived the birth of her twelve children by Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, although only three survived to adulthood. The first of these, Sempronia, was married to Scipio Aemilianus. Cornelia is presumed to have said to her sons that she would rather be known as the mother of the Gracchi than the mother-in-law of Scipio Aemilianus.
Through her social connections, Cornelia tried to guide the political lives of her two surviving sons, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Gaius Sempronius Gracchus. She was especially influential with her youngest, Gaius, and outlived both her sons.
Influence
Cornelia illustrated that a Roman woman could affect politics through the Roman social networks. She serves as forerunner to such notable and ambitious Roman mothers as Octavia, Livia Drusilla, and Agrippina the Younger.
Bibliography
Bernstein, Alvin H. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus: Tradition and Apostasy. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1978.
Dixon, Suzanne. The Roman Mother. London: Routledge, 1990.