Livia Drusilla – influența primei împărătese
Livia Drusilla – the Influence of the First Empress

Summary/Abstract: The power of Livia Drusilla during the reign of Augustus was limited to exerting some influence in the process of taking several important decisions, related both to state and family affairs. The sources never mention her as being directly involved in the relations between the Roman public institutions or as acting on behalf of her husband. Most probably, such a wise attitude was motivated by the fear that Livia’s public exposure might have obstructed the political regime imposed by Augustus, which relied on the traditions and the customs from older times. Moreover, in many cases, the underground plots might have been more efficient than wide action. These plots even represented the “unseen determining power” of many public actions. After 14 AD, the confusion due to the title of Augusta bestowed upon her allowed Iulia / Livia to publically display her influence. Her new status incurred a tensed atmosphere in the ruling family. These tensions lead to the breaking of its unity and to the isolation of the old empress.

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