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Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia | Date: 2007

(born 63 ?—died March, 12 , Campania) Powerful deputy of Augustus. He helped Octavian (later Augustus) take power after Julius Caesar's murder (44 ), defeating Sextus Pompeius in 36 and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31. He went on to quell rebellions, found colonies, administer parts of the empire, and give to Rome funds for public works and buildings. In 23 Augustus seemed to make him heir, and Agrippa married Augustus's daughter, Julia. His administrative and military skills were particularly directed to the eastern empire, where in 15 he met with and made an ally of Herod of Judaea. Agrippa's writings (now lost) influenced Strabo and Pliny the Elder. His daughter Agrippina the Elder (14? – 33) was the wife of Germanicus Caesar, mother of Caligula and Agrippina the Younger, and grandmother of Nero.

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