|
Germanicus Julius Caesar Claudianus, possibly Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus before adoption (15 BC-AD 19) was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty of the early Roman Empire. Germanicus' parents were Nero Claudius Drusus, son of Livia Drusilla, wife of Caesar Augustus, and Antonia Minor, daughter of Marc Antony. Claudius was his brother. Germanicus married Agrippina the Elder, a granddaughter of Augustus, who gave him nine children (Did you get all of that?). Germanicus was very popular among the citizens of Rome, who celebrated enthusiastically all his victories. He was also a favourite with Augustus, his grandfather in law, who, for some time, considered him as heir to the Empire. In AD 4, he finally decided in favor of Tiberius, his stepson, but compelled him to adopt Germanicus as a son and name his heir. (What's up with all of these adoptions?) |