Roman Emperor Augustus built an enduring empire largely on the military victories and civic engineering of his forgotten Marcus Agrippa, according to a fictionalized biography by British author Robert Harris. Published under the title Agrippa, the novel examines how a humble plebeian became the second most powerful man in the world and shaped the transition from the Roman Republic to a single-man autocracy.
From the Battle of Actium to the Aqueducts of Rome
Agrippa and Octavius, who would later become Emperor Augustus, were born in the tumultuous year 63 BC. Despite their different social classes, the pair forged an inseparable alliance as teenagers. While Octavius maneuvered through political traps in Rome, Agrippa served as his formidable military commander. According to Harris, Agrippa secured the decisive victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, clearing the path for Augustus to seize supreme power. Beyond military command, Agrippa transformed Rome’s infrastructure by constructing aqueducts, public baths, and drinking fountains using demobilized legionaries.
Did you know? Agrippa built the ancient aqueducts that fed the city of Pompeii, founded what later became the city of Cologne, and engineered a major harbor on the Bay of Naples.
Why History Forgot Rome’s Master Builder
Despite his towering influence, Agrippa remains far less famous than Augustus. Harris notes that Agrippa died at the age of 51 in 12 BC, outlived by Augustus by a quarter of a century. In his bombastic 3,500-word testament carved outside his tomb, Augustus mentioned Agrippa’s name only twice in passing. This absence left a blank slate that allowed Harris to explore alternative theories about Agrippa’s origins, including a century-old historical theory that Agrippa may have been the illegitimate son of Julius Caesar.
Comparing Literary Depictions of Ancient Rome
Harris’s novel joins a long tradition of historical fiction exploring the late Roman Republic and early Empire, though critics note distinct differences in approach. In Robert Graves’s classic 1934 novel I, Claudius, Augustus appears as a milder figure and Livia is cast as a notorious poisoner, whereas Harris presents a chillier, more calculating Augustus driven by world domination. While academic historians emphasize the fluidity and political experimentation of the triumviral period from 43 BC to 31 BC, Harris depicts Octavian executing a steady, systematic elimination of rivals.
Parallels to Modern Democracy
The Roman Republic featured power-sharing and open debate, but these safeguards vanished as Augustus preserved the mere facade of democracy while stripping the senate and public elections of actual authority. Harris points out that the republic essentially ended on a winter afternoon when Augustus consolidated his rule without public protest, drawing a parallel to contemporary voters supporting leaders who challenge verified election results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Marcus Agrippa?
Marcus Agrippa was a Roman general, architect, and close companion of Emperor Augustus. He commanded the fleet that defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium and oversaw major public works in Rome.
What is the premise of Robert Harris’s novel Agrippa?
The book is a fictionalized autobiography written from the first-person perspective of Agrippa during the final days before his death, detailing his partnership with Augustus and his role in shaping the Roman Empire.
Why is Agrippa less famous than Augustus?
Agrippa died 25 years before Augustus, leaving no surviving memoir. Augustus subsequently claimed credit for many of the achievements and public works that Agrippa engineered.
Author Robert Harris is scheduled to discuss his new book at the Toronto Reference Library’s Bram and Bluma Appel Salon on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m., followed by appearances in Ottawa and Burlington, Ontario.