The pseudo-Agrippa

[ASCLEPIADES]

When I was checking out the primary sources searching for evidence of the historical accuracy of Robert Graves' fiction works, it was curious to find that behind all the Roman gossip surrounding the death of Agrippa Postumus (I,Claudius' TV series V episode "Poison is queen"), Graves totally ignored a related real-life thriller story that was happening outside of but very close to the Dynasty.

 

From earlier to later source, here come:

(Velleius Paterculus simply ignored the facts)

 

Caius Suetonius Tranquilus recorded no less than three succesive conspiracies centered on Agrippa Postumus (De VIta XII Caesarum):

 

a. "After this he nipped in the bud at various times several ... conspiracies ... Asinius Epicadus, a half-breed of Parthian descent ... had planned to take his daughter Julia and his grandson Agrippa by force to the armies from the islands where they were confined ... (Divus Augustus, Ch. XIX)

b. "... and finally Telephus, slave and page (nomenculator) of a woman ... had planned ... to set upon both Augustus and the senate, under the delusion that he himself was destined for empire"; ie, a pseudo-Agrippa (ibid.)

c. "For a slave of Agrippa, Clemens by name, had collected a band of no mean size to avenge his master" (Tiberius, Ch. XXV).

 

Cornelius Tacitus gave an extant report on the latter (Annales, Libri II, Ch. XXXIX-XL):

 

"That same year the daring of a single slave, had it not been promptly checked, would have ruined the State by discord and civil war. A servant of Postumus Agrippa, Clemens by name, having ascertained that Augustus was dead, formed a design beyond a slave's conception, of going to the island of Planasia and seizing Agrippa by craft or force and bringing him to the armies of Germany. The slowness of a merchant vessel thwarted his bold venture. Meanwhile the murder of Agrippa had been perpetrated, and then turning his thoughts to a greater and more hazardous enterprise, he stole the ashes of the deceased, sailed to Cosa, a promontory of Etruria, and there hid himself in obscure places till his hair and beard were long. In age and figure he was not unlike his master. Then through suitable emis saries who shared his secret, it was rumoured that Agrippa was alive, first in whispered gossip, soon, as is usual with forbidden topics, in vague talk which found its way to the credulous ears of the most ignorant people or of restless and revolutionary schemers. He himself went to the towns, as the day grew dark, without letting himself be seen publicly or remaining long in the same places, but, as he knew that truth gains strength by notoriety and time, falsehood by precipitancy and vagueness, he would either withdraw himself from publicity or else forestall it.

It was rumoured meanwhile throughout Italy, and was believed at Rome, that Agrippa had been saved by the blessing of Heaven. Already at Ostia, where he had arrived, he was the centre of interest to a vast concourse as well as to secret gatherings in the capital, while Tiberius was distracted by the doubt whether he should crush this slave of his by military force or allow time to dissipate a silly credulity. Sometimes he thought that he must overlook nothing, sometimes that he need not be afraid of everything, his mind fluctuating between shame and terror. At last he entrusted the affair to Sallustius Crispus, who chose two of his dependants (some say they were soldiers) and urged them to go to him as pretended accomplices, offering money and promising faithful companionship in danger. They did as they were bidden; then, waiting for an unguarded hour of night, they took with them a sufficient force, and having bound and gagged him, dragged him to the palace. When Tiberius asked him how he had become Agrippa, he is said to have replied, "As you became C

Edited September 7, 2007 by ASCLEPIADES

[caldrail]

In the ancient world, posing as someone else was a primary tool of subterfuge. Zenobia for instance dressed up a slave and paraded him through Antioch (I think that was the city concerned) as the 'captured emperor'. We have a slave pretending to be Nero long after his death.

 

I like the plot though - Agrippa Postumus escaping his fate at the hands of assassins and struggling to regain his former status and inheritance.

 

Free men did hide as slaves sometimes. In the reign of Augustus there were scandals about rural slave barracks that harboured men who kidnapped travellers and enslaved them, and Tiberius investigated these places, not only for that, but also because the same barracks were housing free men who'd rather not sign to a legionary draft. These men would rather pose as a slave then join the forces. So the attitude we find commonplace in the later empire was already in existence at the start of the principate.

 

Or are we dealing with a deliberate 'false churchill'? That this slave Clemens was brought into Postumus's service because of his resemblance? Such a man would be useful in a dangerous political bearpit.