Marcus Agrippa (Rome character)
Encyclopedia
Marcus Agrippa is a character in the HBO
/BBC
/RAI
original television series Rome
, played by Allen Leech
. He is portrayed as an earnest, loyal and understanding young man who Gaius Octavian
values highly despite being so humble. His character is based on Augustus'
real-life childhood friend, soldier and ally Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
.
, but they keep their assignations secret from her brother whom they fear would disapprove because of Agrippa's lowly birth. His high moral character stands in contrast to Octavian's cruelty and Maecenas' surreptitious corruption; despite his military genius, his moral qualms are frequently dismissed as naivety.
Although of high rank, his rising to his position from a lower class leaves Agrippa a careful man. He stops short of criticising Octavian where others of high birth may have. His honesty is surprising considering his company; when Octavian confronts his family with accusations of infidelity, Agrippa is the first to admit that he and Octavia are having an affair. After Octavian has forgiven him, an honorable Agrippa breaks off his relationship with Octavia out of respect for his friend's wishes and legal rights.
. He first appears when Gaius Octavian sends him to Rome to give his mother and sister a message, as well as sort out a few alliances Octavian wishes to make. While Octavian's sister Octavia
is taken very quickly with Agrippa's friendly charm, Atia
his mother straight away sees Agrippa as a threat to her paramour Mark Antony
, who is Consul. Despite Octavia's protests for Agrippa's safety, Atia sends word to Antony to inform him that Agrippa is in the city and asks him to capture him. However, Antony takes the young man's being in Rome lightly as he knows why he was there; Octavian is trying to ally with Cicero, and believing that Cicero will not betray him, he leaves Agrippa alone. Nonetheless, Agrippa manages to secure an alliance with Cicero for Octavian, and returns to Octavian and their 10,000-head legion in Campania, unharmed.
Agrippa later stumbles upon a hemp-addled Octavia at an orgy with her friend Jocasta in Heroes of the Republic
, and carries her unwillingly home. Atia berates her daughter, scandalized by her behavior; she thinks it will arouse Octavian's ire, and threatens Agrippa to keep quiet. He insists he would never do anything to hurt Octavia and admits his love for her, adding the admonition to Atia that she never speak to Octavia that way in his presence again.
In the episode Philippi
, Agrippa admits to Octavia that he loves her, nonetheless aware that it is hopeless for him to think a common man like him could ever marry the sister of Octavian. She insists she will be with whom she wants, but Agrippa notes, "No ... you'll marry some useful nobleman of your brother's choosing." Later, they become lovers and begin a torrid affair before Agrippa leaves with Octavian and Antony for Greece to fight Brutus
and Cassius
. Octavia makes a point of ignoring Agrippa when saying goodbye to her brother, but Atia realises immediately that they are romantically involved.
In Death Mask
, Atia suggests that the marriage between her and longtime lover Mark Antony finally occur as a show of unity between Antony and Octavian. The men agree that such an arrangement is necessary, but to Atia's surprise it is Octavia who is betrothed to Antony. Understanding that Octavia's childbearing age makes her more suitable for the match, Atia goes along with the marriage, but is furious; Agrippa is torn between his love for Octavia and his duty to Octavian. Octavia accepts Antony's advances in bed, resigning herself to her role as his wife. However, it is not long before she and Agrippa resume their relationship.
Octavian's darker side emerges further in A Necessary Fiction
as he discovers the extent of his family's sexual infidelities. Furious, and concerned over the potential political implications, Octavian commands Antony to leave Rome indefinitely, or be publicly shamed with Octavia's adultery. He sends Atia and Octavia into seclusion (under armed guard) at Atia's villa, and solemnly forgives a shamed and remorseful Agrippa. Atia later manages to sneak Agrippa into the house as a surprise for Octavia, but he brings bad news; despite her pleas for them to run away together, an honorable Agrippa has decided to break off the relationship out of respect for Octavian. Octavia accuses him of choosing the power Octavian gives him over her, and calls him a coward. As she walks away, Octavia mentions that she is pregnant; it is almost certain that the child is his. Several years later, Agrippa goes on to defeat Antony at the Battle of Actium
. It is implied in the last episode of the series that the two will resume their affair following Antony's death.
was born in either 64 BC or 63 BC in the countryside outside of Rome from a wealthy family holding equestrian rank. His father was Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa
and his sister was Vipsania Polla
. He was of the same age as Octavian
and the two were close childhood friends; unlike the HBO representation, there is no evidence of a romantic relationship between Agrippa and Octavia Minor
.
Agrippa was married three times; firstly to Caecilia Attica
(daughter of Cicero's friend Atticus), secondly to Claudia Marcella
(daughter of Octavia) both with whom he had daughters, Vipsania by Attica and Marcellina
by Marcella. In 21 BC, he married Julia the Elder
, the daughter of Octavian (by then named Augustus), twenty-four years his junior, with whom he fathered five children; Gaius, Julia the Younger
, Lucius
, Agrippina
and Agrippa Postumus.
Additionally, no mention is made of Agrippa's military brilliance throughout the episodes in which he appears, with the exceptions being in the series finale, when the newsreader states that Agrippa had commanded Octavian's victorious naval forces at the Battle of Actium
and the Battle of Mutina
where Octavian said that the victory was mainly due to Agrippa. This omission is significant because Octavian would likely never have achieved power without Agrippa's celebrated talents as both a general and an admiral.
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
/BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
/RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
original television series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
, played by Allen Leech
Allen Leech
Allen Leech is an Irish stage, television and film actor, best known for his role as Marcus Agrippa in the 2007 HBO television series Rome, and his role as chauffeur Tom Branson in ITV 2010 television series Downton Abbey....
. He is portrayed as an earnest, loyal and understanding young man who Gaius Octavian
Gaius Octavian (character of Rome)
Gaius Octavian is a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Max Pirkis as a child in season one and the beginning of season two, and in the rest of the second season he is played by Simon Woods. He is portrayed as a shrewd, if somewhat cold, young man, with an...
values highly despite being so humble. His character is based on Augustus'
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
real-life childhood friend, soldier and ally Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defense minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus...
.
Personality
Octavian's top soldier and right-hand man, Agrippa is earnest and humble, a sharp contrast to his peers. Agrippa is very trustworthy; Octavian appears happy to send Agrippa with a personal message as well as reliable to carry out plans for alliances. He seems to understand Octavian very well and speaks of him with familiarity, although he is fully aware of his lower rank and still refers to him by his adopted title "Caesar." Agrippa is in love with Octavian's sister, OctaviaOctavia of the Julii
Octavia of the Julii is a fictional character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actress Kerry Condon. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus.-Season One:...
, but they keep their assignations secret from her brother whom they fear would disapprove because of Agrippa's lowly birth. His high moral character stands in contrast to Octavian's cruelty and Maecenas' surreptitious corruption; despite his military genius, his moral qualms are frequently dismissed as naivety.
Although of high rank, his rising to his position from a lower class leaves Agrippa a careful man. He stops short of criticising Octavian where others of high birth may have. His honesty is surprising considering his company; when Octavian confronts his family with accusations of infidelity, Agrippa is the first to admit that he and Octavia are having an affair. After Octavian has forgiven him, an honorable Agrippa breaks off his relationship with Octavia out of respect for his friend's wishes and legal rights.
Character history
Born into a humble yet well founded family, Agrippa's home is in CampaniaCampania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
. He first appears when Gaius Octavian sends him to Rome to give his mother and sister a message, as well as sort out a few alliances Octavian wishes to make. While Octavian's sister Octavia
Octavia of the Julii
Octavia of the Julii is a fictional character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actress Kerry Condon. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus.-Season One:...
is taken very quickly with Agrippa's friendly charm, Atia
Atia of the Julii
Atia of the Julii is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Polly Walker. The niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Octavian/Augustus and Octavia, she is depicted as a cheerfully amoral and opportunistic manipulator...
his mother straight away sees Agrippa as a threat to her paramour Mark Antony
Mark Antony (character of Rome)
Mark Antony is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by James Purefoy. Like the real Mark Antony he was a Roman general and politician and a close supporter of Julius Caesar.- Season 1 :...
, who is Consul. Despite Octavia's protests for Agrippa's safety, Atia sends word to Antony to inform him that Agrippa is in the city and asks him to capture him. However, Antony takes the young man's being in Rome lightly as he knows why he was there; Octavian is trying to ally with Cicero, and believing that Cicero will not betray him, he leaves Agrippa alone. Nonetheless, Agrippa manages to secure an alliance with Cicero for Octavian, and returns to Octavian and their 10,000-head legion in Campania, unharmed.
Agrippa later stumbles upon a hemp-addled Octavia at an orgy with her friend Jocasta in Heroes of the Republic
Heroes of the Republic
"Heroes of the Republic" is the fifth episode of the second season of the television series Rome.-Plot summary:The struggle in Rome continues as Octavian, the new Caesar, with his army at the city's borders, establishes himself as consul to the senate with the reluctant help of Cicero. Meanwhile,...
, and carries her unwillingly home. Atia berates her daughter, scandalized by her behavior; she thinks it will arouse Octavian's ire, and threatens Agrippa to keep quiet. He insists he would never do anything to hurt Octavia and admits his love for her, adding the admonition to Atia that she never speak to Octavia that way in his presence again.
In the episode Philippi
Philippi (Rome)
"Philippi" is the sixth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The episode portrays the civil war between the Second Triumvirate and the combined forces of Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, murderers of Julius Caesar...
, Agrippa admits to Octavia that he loves her, nonetheless aware that it is hopeless for him to think a common man like him could ever marry the sister of Octavian. She insists she will be with whom she wants, but Agrippa notes, "No ... you'll marry some useful nobleman of your brother's choosing." Later, they become lovers and begin a torrid affair before Agrippa leaves with Octavian and Antony for Greece to fight Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus , often referred to as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic. After being adopted by his uncle he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, but eventually returned to using his original name...
and Cassius
Gaius Cassius Longinus (character of Rome)
Gaius Cassius Longinus is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Guy Henry. Cassius is depicted as a stubborn young man who is one of the first people who wants Caesar dead. He is one of the figures who devised the plot for...
. Octavia makes a point of ignoring Agrippa when saying goodbye to her brother, but Atia realises immediately that they are romantically involved.
In Death Mask
Death Mask (Rome)
"Death Mask" is the seventh episode of the second season of the television series Rome. It aired on March 4, 2007.-Plot summary:Servilia mourns the death of Brutus, killed at Phillipi. She kneels in front of Atia's door chanting repeatedly for justice. Although Atia ignores her initially, the...
, Atia suggests that the marriage between her and longtime lover Mark Antony finally occur as a show of unity between Antony and Octavian. The men agree that such an arrangement is necessary, but to Atia's surprise it is Octavia who is betrothed to Antony. Understanding that Octavia's childbearing age makes her more suitable for the match, Atia goes along with the marriage, but is furious; Agrippa is torn between his love for Octavia and his duty to Octavian. Octavia accepts Antony's advances in bed, resigning herself to her role as his wife. However, it is not long before she and Agrippa resume their relationship.
Octavian's darker side emerges further in A Necessary Fiction
A Necessary Fiction
"A Necessary Fiction" is the eighth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The air date is March 11, 2007.-Plot summary:...
as he discovers the extent of his family's sexual infidelities. Furious, and concerned over the potential political implications, Octavian commands Antony to leave Rome indefinitely, or be publicly shamed with Octavia's adultery. He sends Atia and Octavia into seclusion (under armed guard) at Atia's villa, and solemnly forgives a shamed and remorseful Agrippa. Atia later manages to sneak Agrippa into the house as a surprise for Octavia, but he brings bad news; despite her pleas for them to run away together, an honorable Agrippa has decided to break off the relationship out of respect for Octavian. Octavia accuses him of choosing the power Octavian gives him over her, and calls him a coward. As she walks away, Octavia mentions that she is pregnant; it is almost certain that the child is his. Several years later, Agrippa goes on to defeat Antony at the Battle of Actium
Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...
. It is implied in the last episode of the series that the two will resume their affair following Antony's death.
Comparison to the historical Agrippa
The historical Marcus Vipsanius AgrippaMarcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defense minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus...
was born in either 64 BC or 63 BC in the countryside outside of Rome from a wealthy family holding equestrian rank. His father was Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa
Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa
Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa was the father of Roman politician and general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, distinguished Roman woman Vipsania Polla, and another Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa....
and his sister was Vipsania Polla
Vipsania Polla
Vipsania Polla was the daughter of Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa, and sister to another Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa and Roman General and Politician Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa...
. He was of the same age as Octavian
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
and the two were close childhood friends; unlike the HBO representation, there is no evidence of a romantic relationship between Agrippa and Octavia Minor
Octavia Minor
Octavia the Younger , also known as Octavia Minor or simply Octavia, was the sister of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus , half-sister of Octavia the Elder, and fourth wife of Mark Antony...
.
Agrippa was married three times; firstly to Caecilia Attica
Caecilia Attica
Pomponia Caecilia Attica or Caecilia Pomponia Attica , was the daughter of Cicero's Epicurean friend and eques, knight Titus Pomponius Atticus. Her mother, Caecilia Pilea/Pilia , daughter of Pileus/Pilius, was a maternal granddaughter of Marcus Licinius Crassus, a member of the First Triumvirate...
(daughter of Cicero's friend Atticus), secondly to Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella was the name of the two daughters of Octavia Minor, the sister of Emperor Augustus, by her first husband, the consul Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor. According to Suetonius, they were known as The Marcellae sisters. The sisters were born in Rome...
(daughter of Octavia) both with whom he had daughters, Vipsania by Attica and Marcellina
Vipsania Marcella
Vipsania Marcella Agrippina or Marcellina was the only daughter to Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa from his second wife Claudia Marcella Major. She was the first grandchild to Octavia Minor and first great-niece to Roman Emperor Augustus.About 14 BC, she married the Roman general and...
by Marcella. In 21 BC, he married Julia the Elder
Julia the Elder
Julia the Elder , known to her contemporaries as Julia Caesaris filia or Julia Augusti filia was the daughter and only biological child of Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. Augustus subsequently adopted several male members of his close family as sons...
, the daughter of Octavian (by then named Augustus), twenty-four years his junior, with whom he fathered five children; Gaius, Julia the Younger
Julia the Younger
Julia the Younger or Julilla , Vipsania Julia Agrippina, Iulilla, Julia, Augustus' granddaughter, or Julia Caesaris Minor, was a Roman noblewoman of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. She was the first daughter and second child of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder...
, Lucius
Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa
Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa was the father of Roman politician and general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, distinguished Roman woman Vipsania Polla, and another Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa....
, Agrippina
Agrippina the elder
Vipsania Agrippina or most commonly known as Agrippina Major or Agrippina the Elder was a distinguished and prominent granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus. Agrippina was the wife of the general, statesman Germanicus and a relative to the first Roman Emperors...
and Agrippa Postumus.
Additionally, no mention is made of Agrippa's military brilliance throughout the episodes in which he appears, with the exceptions being in the series finale, when the newsreader states that Agrippa had commanded Octavian's victorious naval forces at the Battle of Actium
Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...
and the Battle of Mutina
Battle of Mutina
The Battle of Mutina was fought on April 21, 43 BC between the forces of Mark Antony and the forces of Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus and Aulus Hirtius, who were providing aid to Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus.-Prelude:...
where Octavian said that the victory was mainly due to Agrippa. This omission is significant because Octavian would likely never have achieved power without Agrippa's celebrated talents as both a general and an admiral.
External links
- Marcus Agrippa at the Rome HBO website