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Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

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Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a famous leader in ancient Rome.

He lived from around 64 BC until 12 BC. Agrippa was a general and a statesman. He was also a very close friend to Augustus. Augustus was the first Roman emperor. Agrippa was even the son-in-law of Augustus. They grew up together and studied the same things. This bond helped them change the Roman world.

Lawrence Alma-Tadema - An Audience at Agrippa's
Lawrence Alma-Tadema - An Audience at Agrippa's

Agrippa worked very hard to help Augustus win power. He was a skilled military commander. In 40 BC, he served as the urban praetor in Rome. He later became the governor of Transalpine Gaul. In 37 BC, he was made consul. This was a very high job for a young man. He was much younger than the usual age of 43. He had to prepare for war against Sextus Pompeius. Sextus Pompeius had stopped grain from reaching Rome.

Merida Roman Theatre2
Merida Roman Theatre2

Agrippa was a master of sea battles. He used new technology to win. He built larger ships for his fleet. He also used an improved grappling hook. In 36 BC, he won big battles at Mylae and Naulochus. These victories destroyed almost all of Sextus Pompeius's ships. Later, in 31 BC, he led the fleet at the Battle of Actium. He fought against the forces of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra. This victory helped Augustus become the emperor.

La Maison carrée
La Maison carrée

Agrippa also helped make Rome a beautiful city. He wanted people to have great public services. He worked on aqueducts to bring fresh water to citizens. He was the first Curator Aquarum in 33 BC. This means he looked after the water systems. He helped build many public baths and gardens. He also built porticoes, which are covered walkways. He was responsible for the original Pantheon.

Pantheon (Rome) front 2
Pantheon (Rome) front 2

Agrippa was a man of many talents. He was a writer who studied geography. He helped complete a survey of the whole empire. He made a circular chart from this information. Augustus had this chart carved into marble. It was placed in a building built by Agrippa's sister. Agrippa's family was from the Italian countryside. They were from a humbler background than most leaders. He died at the age of 50 or 51. Augustus held a magnificent funeral for him.

Pantheon (Rome) front 2
Pantheon (Rome) front 2
371 words

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Empereur romain,mortel parmi les Dieux55a.jpg
Empereur romain,mortel parmi les Dieux55a.jpg
File:Pantheon (Rome) front 2.jpg
Pantheon (Rome) front 2.jpg
File:Merida Roman Theatre2.jpg
Merida Roman Theatre2.jpg
File:La Maison carrée.JPG
La Maison carrée.JPG
File:Lawrence Alma-Tadema - An Audience at Agrippa's.jpg
Lawrence Alma-Tadema - An Audience at...
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