Origins & Early Life

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (; c. 63 BC – 12 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who was a close friend, son-in-law and lieutenant to the Roman emperor Augustus. Agrippa is well known for his important military victories, notably the Battle of Actium in 31 BC against the forces of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra. He was also responsible for the construction of some of the most notable buildings of his era, including the original Pantheon.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Born to a plebeian family c. 63 BC, in an uncertain location in Roman Italy, he met the future emperor Augustus, then known as Octavian, at Apollonia, in Illyria. Following the assassination of Octavian's great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Octavian returned to Italy. Around this time, Agrippa was elected tribune of the plebs. He served as a military commander, fighting alongside Octavian against Caesar's former general and right-hand man Marcus Antonius in the Battle of Philippi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 40 BC, he was praetor urbanus and played a major role in the Perusine war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, respectively the brother and wife of Marcus Antonius. In 39 or 38 BC, Agrippa was appointed governor of Transalpine Gaul. In 38 BC, he put down a rising of the Aquitanians...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Augustus — Contemporary (Born in -63) (-63): Founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman Emperor, ushering in the Pax Romana.
• Mithridates VI Eupator — Contemporary (Died in -63) (-63): Hellenistic King of Pontus, famed for resisting the Roman Republic's dominance.
• Catiline — Contemporary figure (Died in -62) (-62): Patrician Roman politician infamous for the failed Catilinarian conspiracy.
• Quintus Roscius — Contemporary figure (Died in -62) (-62): A celebrated Roman actor and orator of the 1st century BC.
• Horace — Contemporary figure (Born in -65) (-65): Leading Roman lyric poet whose works spanned the transition from Republic to Empire.
• Livy — Contemporary figure (Born in -59) (-59): Monumental Roman historian whose work covered Rome's legendary founding to the Augustan age.
• Sextus Pompey — Contemporary figure (Born in -68) (-68): Roman general who upheld his father's legacy against Caesar and established an independent state in Sicily.
• -63 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -63
• -12 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -12