Chapter 14.2: Sources on Agrippina's Alleged Incest - Interactive Lesson

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Chapter 14.2

tradit Cluvius ardore retinendae Agrippinam potentiae eo usque provectam ut medio diei , cum id temporis Nero per vinum et epulas incalesceret , offerret se saepius temulento comptam et incesto paratam ; iamque lasciva oscula et praenuntias flagitii blanditias adnotantibus proximis, Senecam contra muliebres inlecebras subsidium a femina petivisse , immissamque Acten libertam quae simul suo periculo et infamia Neronis anxia deferret pervulgatum esse incestum gloriante matre, nec toleraturos milites profani principis imperium. Fabius Rusticus non Agrippinae sed Neroni cupitum id memorat eiusdemque libertae astu disiectum. sed quae Cluvius eadem ceteri quoque auctores prodidere, et fama huc inclinat , seu concepit animo tantum immanitatis Agrippina, seu credibilior novae libidinis meditatio in ea visa est quae puellaribus annis stuprum cum Lepido spe dominationis admiserat, pari cupidine usque ad libita Pallantis provoluta et exercita ad omne flagitium patrui nuptiis .

Full Translation

Cluvius records that in her eagerness to retain power, Agrippina went so far as to offer herself quite often, adorned and ready for incest, to the drunken Nero in the middle of the day, at that time when Nero was becoming heated through wine and feasting; and already, as those closest were noticing the wanton kisses and caresses that announce scandal, Seneca sought help from a woman against the feminine enticements and Acte, a freedwoman, was sent in, who, anxious both for her own danger and Nero's disgrace, reported that their incest was widely known because the mother was boasting about it, and that the soldiers would not tolerate the rule of an unholy emperor. Fabius Rusticus records that this was desired not by Agrippina but by Nero, and was scattered by the cleverness of this same freedwoman. But what Cluvius (relates), the rest of the authors too have handed down, and rumour inclines this way, whether Agrippina conceived such great monstrosity in her mind, or the contemplation of a new lust seemed more believable in her who in her girlhood years had admitted adultery with Lepidus in hope of domination, with equal desire had prostrated herself even to the whims of Pallas and was practised in every disgrace through marriage to her uncle.

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