How great the power of friendship may most clearly be recognized from the fact that, in comparison with the infinite ties uniting the human race and fashioned by Nature herself, this thing called friendship has been so narrowed that the bonds of affection always unite two persons only, or, at most, a few. M. Tullius Cicero. Laelius on friendship. Section 20.
Image: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa on the Ara Pacis, the Augustan monument to peace dedicated in 9 BCE, courtesy of Flickr contributor Steven Zucker cc by sa. Agrippa and Augustus enjoyed a lifelong friendship, even though Agrippa was responsible for many victories celebrated by Augustus, including the decisive battle of Actium. The only indication of any public strain on the friendship occured because of the jealousy of Augustus' nephew Marcus Claudius Marcellus, which some scholars think was instigated by Livia. Agrippa left Rome for a year, ostensibly to govern the eastern provinces, but was recalled by Augustus to help his friend with the crisis of 23 BCE. Thereafter Agrippa was granted proconsular imperium and given authority over Augustus' imperial provinces. By 18 BCE, Agrippa's powers were further increased to almost match those of Augustus. He was even granted tribunicia potestas with veto power over the Senate. When Agrippa died in 12 BCE, Augustus had Agrippa's remains placed in Augustus' own mausoleum.
Image: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa on the Ara Pacis, the Augustan monument to peace dedicated in 9 BCE, courtesy of Flickr contributor Steven Zucker cc by sa. Agrippa and Augustus enjoyed a lifelong friendship, even though Agrippa was responsible for many victories celebrated by Augustus, including the decisive battle of Actium. The only indication of any public strain on the friendship occured because of the jealousy of Augustus' nephew Marcus Claudius Marcellus, which some scholars think was instigated by Livia. Agrippa left Rome for a year, ostensibly to govern the eastern provinces, but was recalled by Augustus to help his friend with the crisis of 23 BCE. Thereafter Agrippa was granted proconsular imperium and given authority over Augustus' imperial provinces. By 18 BCE, Agrippa's powers were further increased to almost match those of Augustus. He was even granted tribunicia potestas with veto power over the Senate. When Agrippa died in 12 BCE, Augustus had Agrippa's remains placed in Augustus' own mausoleum.
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