Editing Agrippina the Elder (section)

==Background==
[[File:Agrippa wearing Naval Crown.jpg|thumb|left|A ''[[denarius]]'' depicting Agrippa wearing a combination of the ''[[Mural crown|corona muralis]]'' and the ''[[Naval crown|corona rostalis]]''.{{sfn|Hill|1903|p=242}} ]]

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was an early supporter of [[Augustus]] (then "Octavius"). He was a key general in Augustus' armies, commanding troops during the wars against [[Sextus Pompey]] and [[Mark Antony]]. From early in the emperor's reign, Agrippa was trusted to handle affairs in the eastern provinces and was even given the signet ring of Augustus, who appeared to be on his deathbed in 23{{nbsp}}BC, a sign that he would become ''[[princeps]]'' were Augustus to die. It is probable that he was to rule until the emperor's nephew, [[Marcus Claudius Marcellus (Julio-Claudian dynasty)|Marcus Claudius Marcellus]], came of age. However, Marcellus died that year of an illness that became an epidemic in Rome.{{sfn|Bunson|2014|p=10}}{{sfn|Southern|2013|p=203}}<ref name=Dunston274>{{harvnb|Dunstan|2010|p=274}}.</ref>

Now, with Marcellus dead, Augustus arranged for the marriage of Agrippa to his daughter [[Julia the Elder]], who was previously the wife of Marcellus. Agrippa was given ''[[tribunician power|tribunicia potestas]]'' ("the tribunician power") in 18 BC, a power that only the emperor and his immediate heir could hope to attain. The tribunician power allowed him to control the Senate, and it was first given to Julius Caesar. Agrippa acted as tribune in the Senate to pass important legislation and, though he lacked some of the emperor's power and authority, he was approaching the position of co-regent.<ref name=Dunston274/>{{sfn|Rowe|2002|pp=52–54}}{{sfn|Scullard|2013|p=216}}

After the birth of Agrippa's second son, [[Lucius Caesar|Lucius]], in 17 BC, Lucius and his brother [[Gaius Caesar|Gaius]] were adopted together by Augustus. Around the time of their adoption in the summer, Augustus held the fifth ever ''[[Ludi Saeculares]]'' ("Secular Games"). [[Cassius Dio]] says the adoption of the boys coupled with the games served to introduce a new era of peace – the ''[[Pax Augusta]]''. It is not known what Agrippa thought of their adoption; however, following their adoption, Agrippa was dispatched to govern the eastern provinces, bringing his family with him.{{sfn|Powell|2015|pp=159–160}}{{sfn|Davies|Swain|2010|p=284}}<ref name=Powellxxviii>{{harvnb|Powell|2015|p=xxviii}}.</ref>