Livilla (c. 14/11 BCE–c. 31 CE)

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Livilla (c. 14/11 bce–c. 31 ce)

Roman noblewoman. Name variations: Livia Julia. Born between 14 and 11 bce; died around 31 ce; daughter of Antonia Minor (36 bce–37 ce) and Drususthe Elder (also known as Nero Drusus, brother of the future emperor Tiberius); sister of Germanicus and Claudius (10 bce–54 ce, future emperor); married Drusus the Younger (Drusus Julius Caesar, who died in 23 bce); children: possibly a daughter Julia.

Livilla, daughter of Antonia Minor and Drusus the Elder, was caught up in the conspiracy to overthrow Tiberius by her lover Sejanus, captain of the Praetorian Guard, who promised marriage. It was rumored that Livilla poisoned her husband Drusus the Younger, the adopted son of Tiberius, in 23 ce. Even though Tiberius spared Livilla "out of regard" for her mother Antonia, Antonia executed Livilla by starving her to death. Livilla had brought shame on the imperial family, reports Greco-Roman historian Cassius Dio, since Sejanus was not even of senatorial rank.