How the establishment of the Julio-Claudian dynasty is connected to Livia Drusilla and white chickens by Susanne Sakra

Livia Drusilla's marriage to Octavian, better known as Augustus, lasted for 52 years. However the first 30 years were relatively quiet and uneventful for her. She was barely mentioned in the source material. Livia and Octavian married in 38 BC after her divorce from Tiberius Nero while being heavily pregnant with her second son Drusus. Her first son, Tiberius, would become the future emperor of Rome and heir to Augustus. The main reason for this silence was Octavia Minor, Octavian's sister, who played a bigger role in the emperor’s life and reign until she died in 11 BC. She was seen as the „First Lady“, therefore Livia stayed in the shadows for the bigger part of the marriage. While it is mournful nowadays not to know what she did during this time, it was seen as an honourable trait for the wife to stay in the shadows of her husband. She was perceived as well-behaved, obedient, and the perfect wife. The criticism towards the marriage between Livia and Octavian was mostly voiced towards Octavian rather than his wife, especially while he was still in the depths of the civil war against Marc Antony which lasted until 29 BC. Despite these silent years, a myth about Livia was established which contains praise, yet disapproval if one looks at later sources. This myth and the mixed interpretations will be analysed in this article to show the complexity of Roman storytelling and the portrayal of Roman women in power. Livia owned a family estate near Veii at Primaporta. Suetonius clearly described it as „hers“ (veitentanum suum). How she got in possession of the villa is not sure. It could have been from her father’s assets rather than from her divorced husband’s. Both of them have died by the time this myth takes place. The myth stated that, while Livia was at said estate, an eagle dropped a white chicken into her lap which had a laurel branch in its mouth. She saved and raised the bird from which several more white chicks were born. That was already seen as a miracle because white birds were seen as infertile. According to Pliny the Elder, Livia saved that bird due to religious obligation for she was known for her religious dedication in the Empire. The laurel branch was planted by her and grew into a big and healthy grove. After these events, her estate was known as villa ad gallinas which could be translated into „Chickenhouse“ or „Henhouse“, meaning several generations of those white chickens lived there and perhaps the household of birds was expanded. Archeologically, nothing could be found since the site itself was severly bombed during World War II and tons of valuable objects were destroyed.

Out of those laurel sprigs the Romans made crowns for the celebrations after military success. It most likely started with Caesar to which Octavian continued the tradition in 29 BC after he won the civil war. He also must have started the custom to plant the cutting of Livia’s laurel grove afterward. The Julio-Claudian emperors followed this custom, no less than other victorious generals who had the honour of wearing a laurel crown. Laurels became an important symbol on coins and altars and were reserved for the most triumphant succeeders. The plant was also associated with the god Apollo to which Octavian had a strong connection. His family’s origin was connected to Apollo and Octavian honoured him by building a temple in his name. Furthermore, a birth myth was established that Octavian was actually Apollo’s son, and hence his reign was legitimized as he was the son of a god. Back to the planted branches, it was said they represented the person who put them in the soil. Should the plant die, the general’s death was near. In a later version of the myth by Dio, the extinction of the Julio-Claudian dynasty was foretold by the dying laurel tree and the death of the chickens while emperor Nero was reigning. Yet this should be seen as critical as the other version written by Pliny mentioned none of this, and no other source did either. The origin of this myth is unknown. It might have been established by Octavian himself to honour his wife and paint a positive picture of how important she was to him and the dynasty. She supported his career as the first emperor. Livia gave him advice which he took to his heart and in the end her son Tiberius became his heir through adoption. It illustrated her role as the future Augusta. While there is only one version of this myth, the sources presented it in various ways and therefore change the reception. Pliny’s text about the myth was written shortly after Livia and Octavian were alive, meanwhile, Dio’s text was written approximately 200 years later. The perception changed, mainly in hindsight of historical events. The first interpretation based on Pliny’s text reflects on the society of the Roman Empire. As established, the laurel stood for success. In a woman’s case at that time that meant being fertile and having children. At this point in history, Livia has already born two healthy sons. The story illustrated how she was capable of bearing and raising a family due to the allegedly infertile white chicken populating and the small laurel branch growing into a healthy tree. She was the one to start a powerful dynasty, the Julio-Claudian, and let it flourish. It would have further changed the view on the marriage of Livia and Octavian which started rather scandalously. They married while Livia was heavily pregnant with the child of her ex-husband. Some sources said it was love at first sight and they had no other choice but to marry as soon as possible. It might be true seeing that their marriage lasted until 14 AD when Augustus died and Livia didn’t remarry afterwards. All this is a major indication that it was indeed Octavian who suggested this myth be written and published. At the time of the publication, nobody knew that Livia and Octavian would never have a child together.

Consequently, the second interpretation based on Dio’s text changes dramatically as his tone turns irregular and disapproving, almost malicious. In place of the mindful and fertile Livia, she was seen as a power-hungry woman who controlled her husband. She was not supportive of Octavian or his reign, instead she dictated him around. According to Dio, this behaviour truly satisfied her while everyone else around her was alarmed by a woman in power. While this is an interesting position to have, it is doubted to have happened that way. If Octavian was truly under the spell of his wife, more sources would have discussed it. Livia would generally have an negative reception. It’s in fact the opposite; her ancient reception is overall positive. Most sources mentioned the reserved role Livia took and how she very subtly supported her husband. In reality, it was liable that she had a bigger role but wasn’t allowed to act publicly due to the negative treatment she’d receive otherwise. An example would be the ancient reception of Poppaea Sabina, the second wife of emperor Nero. It was known in the Roman Empire that she advised her husband in political matters. This caused the opinions about her to worsen further, and it was used to portray how weak Nero was that he must listen to his wife. Nero wasn’t dependent enough and women were not supposed to be part of the public political world. On that account, it only made sense for Livia to be on her best behaviour. The founding of the Roman Empire was a delicate matter for her husband and she made an effort to support him which later rewarded her with honours, the title Augusta, and deification as a divine being after her death in 29 AD. Concluding, the difference in the interpretations displays the complexity of ancient sources and how the perception can change over time. It is always important to question the texts and stories, especially when historical figures are presented as overall positive or negative. Behind this is usually propaganda or the personal opinion of the author which often makes itself visible. The evolution of this perception might also show how the perception of the society changed with the diversity of sources, or perhaps lackoff, they could access. It is also important to note that Roman women, specifically noble women, were supposed to fit into the mindful temperament and encourage their husbands. As the first Roman empress, Livia was the blueprint. She perfected this role and everybody else stood in comparison to her. The discussed myth played into this narrative of a flawless wife which was needed in the times after the civil war. It brought the people hope and safety for the future. They wouldn’t have to worry about war within their Empire owing to the fact that Livia would make sure there was an heir and the dynasty would flourish. While there wasn’t an heir with Octavian, she nevertheless continued the Julio-Claudian dynasty with her son Tiberius and fulfilled her duty. Just because it wasn’t in the way it was expected of her, as shown by the criticism in later sources like Dio’s version, doesn’t mean that she failed. Livia Drusilla accomplished the smooth transition from the first emperor to the next one and always stayed by her family’s side to help them rule, whether it was her husband or her son.