Julia Drusilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Julia Drusilla |
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Drusilla, Statens Museum for Kunst
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| Born | 16 September AD 16 Abitarvium, Germania |
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| Died | 10 June AD 38 (aged 21) Rome, Italy |
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| Spouse | Lucius Cassius Longinus Marcus Aemilius Lepidus |
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| Dynasty | Julio-Claudian | ||||
| Father | Germanicus | ||||
| Mother | Agrippina the Elder | ||||
Julia Drusilla (born September 16, AD 16 – died June 10, AD 38) was an important member of the ancient Roman imperial family. She was the second daughter of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. Drusilla was the favorite sister of Emperor Caligula. After she died, Caligula had her declared a goddess. Her new name was Diva Drusilla Panthea. He even named his own daughter, Julia Drusilla, after her.
Contents
Biography
Early life and family
Drusilla was born in Abitarvium, which is now Koblenz, Germany. She had two brothers, Nero Julius Caesar and Drusus Caesar, who would later become emperor. She also had two sisters, Julia Livilla and Agrippina the Younger, who would become an empress.
Drusilla was a great-granddaughter of Emperor Augustus and Empress Livia. She was also a grand-niece of Emperor Tiberius and a niece of Emperor Claudius. Later, she became the aunt of Emperor Nero. After her father, Germanicus, passed away, Drusilla and her siblings were brought back to Rome. Their mother and paternal grandmother, Antonia Minor, helped raise them.
Marriages and Caligula's heir
In AD 33, Drusilla married Lucius Cassius Longinus. He was a friend of Emperor Tiberius. They did not have any children together.
When Caligula became emperor in AD 37, he ended Drusilla's marriage to Longinus. He then arranged for his sister to marry his friend, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
In AD 37, Caligula became very ill. He changed his will to name Drusilla as his heir. This made her the first woman ever named as an heir in a Roman imperial will. Caligula likely did this to make sure the royal family line would continue through any children Drusilla might have. Luckily, Caligula recovered from his illness.
Drusilla's special place
Drusilla was known to be her brother Caligula's favorite sister. She had a very close bond with him.
In Roman noble families, the host and hostess of a dinner party usually sat in the most important seats. If the head of the household was a young man without a wife, his sisters would take turns sitting in the hostess's special seat. However, Caligula always reserved this important seat just for Drusilla. This showed how much he honored her, especially after he had named her his heir.
Death and honors
Drusilla passed away on June 10, AD 38. She was only 21 years old. She likely died from an illness that was common in Rome at that time. It is said that Caligula stayed by her side throughout her illness. After she died, he did not want anyone to take her body away.
Caligula was very sad about losing his sister. He buried her with great honors, similar to those given to an empress. He acted as if he had lost his wife. He asked the Roman Senate to declare her a goddess, calling her Diva Drusilla. She was honored as a representation of the Roman goddess Venus. Drusilla was also given the title Panthea, meaning "all-goddess." This honor was likely given on the birthday of Emperor Augustus.
Caligula also declared a period of strict mourning after Drusilla's death. A year later, Caligula named his only known daughter, Julia Drusilla, after his beloved sister.
Meanwhile, Drusilla's husband, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, tried to gain support from Drusilla's sisters, Julia Livilla and Agrippina the Younger. He hoped to become emperor after Caligula. This plan was discovered by Caligula later that year. Lepidus was quickly executed. Livilla and Agrippina were sent away to the Pontine Islands.
See also
- Julio-Claudian family tree
