Drusilla (15–38 CE)

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Drusilla (15–38 ce)

Roman noblewoman. Born in 15 ce; died 38 ce; dau. of Germanicus Caesar and Agrippina the Elder; sister of Agrippina the Younger and Julia Livilla; sister and mistress of Caligula.

When she died, Caligula "made it a capital offence to laugh, to bathe, or to dine with one's parents, wives, or children while the period of public mourning lasted," writes Suetonius. Though, in the Roman past, only Julius Caesar and Augustus had been deified, Caligula deified Drusilla, setting up a shrine for her, complete with priests, and gave her the name "Panthea" to show that she had the qualities of all goddesses.

See also Women in World History.