Octavia of the Julii
Encyclopedia
Octavia of the Julii is a fictional character
in the HBO
/BBC2 original television series Rome
, played by Irish
actress Kerry Condon
. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor
, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus
.
, who is the niece of Gaius Julius Caesar
. Octavia, alongside her mother, raised her younger brother Gaius Octavian, with whom she has a fairly strong relationship. She was originally in an arranged marriage with Glabius, and despite difficulties they grew to love each other; however, upon the death of their cousin Julia, Atia is asked by Caesar to find another girl in their family to marry Pompey Magnus
. Atia forced Octavia and Glabius to get a divorce. Octavia is then offered up for pre-marital relations with Pompey by Atia, which he accepts, but rejects the marriage for another woman called Cornelia following Pompey's attempt to turn the people and the Legio XIII Gemina
against Caesar by stealing their standard and kidnapping Octavian in the process.
Octavia continues to visit her ex-husband behind her mother's back until Atia decides to deal with it by killing him and blaming it on the fact that many nobles allied with the Julii have been killed. While Octavia suspects her mother, she lets it rest when her brother assures her that it is unlikely. Following Caesar's defeat in Greece, Atia sends Octavia to ask help from Servilia
, Caesar's ex-lover, who at first appears to feel sorry for Octavia being used by her mother in such a way. When Servilia receives news that Caesar has won and Servilia fears that her son Brutus
is dead, Octavia shows her pity and they end up becoming lovers.
Upon Caesar's return to Rome and Octavian's return from school, Octavia casually slips that Octavian may have been Caesar's lover in his youth but denied it saying that Caesar had a "serious affliction
". Upon hearing this, Servilia insists that Octavia find out what this affliction is, even if it means seducing Octavian. Upon being told by Servilia that Atia killed Glabius, Octavia does as she says and seduces Octavian in trying to find out what the affliction is. However, Octavian still refuses to tell her and when Atia finds out about Octavia and Servilia, she attempts to beat Octavia for being weak-minded and foolish.
Ashamed of herself, Octavia sends herself into self-imposed exile but is brought back to Rome by Octavian who is sent by Atia to bring her home. Following her events with Servilia, Octavia appears to have learnt her lesson as reveals in the last episode of the season that she is above petty affections, or at least tries to be.
Agrippa stumbles upon a hemp-addled Octavia at an orgy with her friend Jocasta in Heroes of the Republic
, and carries her unwillingly home. Atia berates her daughter, scandalised by her behaviour; she thinks it will arouse Octavian's ire, and threatens Agrippa to keep quiet. He insists he would never do anything to hurt Octavia and alludes to the high esteem he feels for her, adding the admonition to Atia that she never speak to Octavia that way in his presence again.
In the episode Philippi
, Agrippa admits to Octavia that he loves her, nonetheless aware that it is hopeless for him to think a common man like him could ever marry the sister of Octavian. She insists she will be with whom she wants, but Agrippa notes, "No ... you'll marry some useful nobleman of your brother's choosing." Later, they become lovers and share a few passionate hours before Agrippa must leave with Octavian and Antony for Greece to fight Brutus and Cassius
. Octavia ignores Agrippa as she says goodbye to her brother, but Atia knows immediately that they are romantically involved.
In Death Mask
, Atia suggests that the marriage between her and longtime lover Mark Antony
finally occur as a show of unity between Antony and Octavian. The men agree that such an arrangement is necessary, but to Atia's surprise it is Octavia who is betrothed to Antony. Understanding that Octavia's childbearing age makes her more suitable for the match, Atia goes along with the marriage – but is furious. Later, Octavia accepts Antony's advances in bed, resigning herself to her role as his wife.
Octavian's darker side emerges further in A Necessary Fiction
as he discovers that not only is Octavia is involved with Agrippa, but Atia and Antony have resumed their affair. Furious, Octavian commands Antony to leave Rome indefinitely, or be publicly shamed with Octavia's adultery. He sends Atia and Octavia into seclusion (under armed guard) at Atia's villa, and solemnly forgives a shamed and remorseful Agrippa. Atia later manages to sneak Agrippa into the house as a surprise for Octavia, but he brings bad news; despite her pleas for them to run away together, an honourable Agrippa has decided to break off the relationship out of respect for Octavian. Octavia accuses him of choosing the power Octavian gives him over her, and calls him a coward. As she walks away, Octavia mentions that she is pregnant; to whether the father is Agrippa or Anthony, she says, "Who knows? Neither man is worth a brass obol, so what matter?"
Years later in the next episode, Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus
, Octavia is living with Atia in Rome, raising her blonde daughter Antonia alone. Mark Antony is in Egypt with Cleopatra
and their own twins, Helios and Selene; when he refuses Octavian's request for increased grain supplies for a starving Rome, Octavian sends his mother and sister to intervene. Trying to avoid Cleopatra's jealous fury (and prevent Atia's public humiliation or murder), he has his wife and former lover sent away without seeing them. Atia is devastated, and an offended Octavia tosses her wedding ring into the sea.
In the series finale, De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)
, Octavia takes the death of her husband matter-of-factly. Octavian asks Octavia to raise Antony and Cleopatra's twins, and she accepts. At Octavian's triumph, she is seen catching the glance of Agrippa.
's first husband was Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor
, and she bore him three children, Marcellus
, Claudia Marcella
Major and Claudia Marcella
Minor; the Octavia in Rome is married to a nobleman named Glabius, with whom she has no children. In reality, it was Julius Caesar who wanted her to marry Pompey, not Atia, and Octavia was widowed four years after Caesar's assassination, not before, as depicted in the series.
There is no historical evidence to suggest that Octavia had sexual relationships with Servilia Caepionis
(basis for the character Servilia of the Junii), Pompey, her brother Octavian or Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
, as is dramatised in the series.
Octavia Minor did marry Mark Antony
, but was pregnant with her third child by her first husband at the time. When Antony left Rome, he actually settled in Athens
, Greece, and not Egypt; Octavia went with him, and she and Antony later had two daughters, Antonia Major
and Antonia Minor
. Historically, Antony had met Cleopatra and fathered their twins, Alexander Helios
and Cleopatra Selene
, before marrying Octavia. He did eventually leave his wife in Greece and reunite with Cleopatra in Egypt; he and Cleopatra later had a third child, Ptolemy Philadelphus
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the HBO
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
/BBC2 original television series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
, played by Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
actress Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon
Kerry Condon is an Irish television and film actress.She was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. Her roles include Victoria in Unleashed , and Kate Kelly in the 2003 film Ned Kelly...
. The character is based on the Roman matron Octavia Thurina Minor
Octavia Minor
Octavia the Younger , also known as Octavia Minor or simply Octavia, was the sister of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus , half-sister of Octavia the Elder, and fourth wife of Mark Antony...
, sister of Roman Emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
.
Season One
Born to one of the most powerful families in Rome, the Julii, Octavia is the only daughter and elder child of Atia of the JuliiAtia of the Julii
Atia of the Julii is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Polly Walker. The niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Octavian/Augustus and Octavia, she is depicted as a cheerfully amoral and opportunistic manipulator...
, who is the niece of Gaius Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (character of Rome)
Gaius Julius Caesar is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actor Ciarán Hinds...
. Octavia, alongside her mother, raised her younger brother Gaius Octavian, with whom she has a fairly strong relationship. She was originally in an arranged marriage with Glabius, and despite difficulties they grew to love each other; however, upon the death of their cousin Julia, Atia is asked by Caesar to find another girl in their family to marry Pompey Magnus
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (character of Rome)
Gnaeus Pompey Magnus is a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Kenneth Cranham. He is depicted as a legendary general, past the days of his prime, who tries to recapture the glories of his youth as much as to do what is right for the Republic...
. Atia forced Octavia and Glabius to get a divorce. Octavia is then offered up for pre-marital relations with Pompey by Atia, which he accepts, but rejects the marriage for another woman called Cornelia following Pompey's attempt to turn the people and the Legio XIII Gemina
Legio XIII Gemina
Legio tertia decima Gemina was one of the most prominent Roman legions. It was one of Julius Caesar's key units in Gaul and in the civil war, and was the legion with which he famously crossed the Rubicon on January 10, 49 BC. The legion appears to have still been in existence in the fifth century...
against Caesar by stealing their standard and kidnapping Octavian in the process.
Octavia continues to visit her ex-husband behind her mother's back until Atia decides to deal with it by killing him and blaming it on the fact that many nobles allied with the Julii have been killed. While Octavia suspects her mother, she lets it rest when her brother assures her that it is unlikely. Following Caesar's defeat in Greece, Atia sends Octavia to ask help from Servilia
Servilia of the Junii
Servilia of the Junii is a character from the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series, Rome, played by Lindsay Duncan. The mother of Marcus Junius Brutus, lover of the married Julius Caesar and enemy of Atia of the Julii, Servilia is depicted as a sophisticated and regal Roman matron who follows her...
, Caesar's ex-lover, who at first appears to feel sorry for Octavia being used by her mother in such a way. When Servilia receives news that Caesar has won and Servilia fears that her son Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus , often referred to as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic. After being adopted by his uncle he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, but eventually returned to using his original name...
is dead, Octavia shows her pity and they end up becoming lovers.
Upon Caesar's return to Rome and Octavian's return from school, Octavia casually slips that Octavian may have been Caesar's lover in his youth but denied it saying that Caesar had a "serious affliction
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
". Upon hearing this, Servilia insists that Octavia find out what this affliction is, even if it means seducing Octavian. Upon being told by Servilia that Atia killed Glabius, Octavia does as she says and seduces Octavian in trying to find out what the affliction is. However, Octavian still refuses to tell her and when Atia finds out about Octavia and Servilia, she attempts to beat Octavia for being weak-minded and foolish.
Ashamed of herself, Octavia sends herself into self-imposed exile but is brought back to Rome by Octavian who is sent by Atia to bring her home. Following her events with Servilia, Octavia appears to have learnt her lesson as reveals in the last episode of the season that she is above petty affections, or at least tries to be.
Season Two
After Servilia masterminds the murder of Caesar, Octavia curses her and admits to her brother that she feels guilty for the part she played in the death of her uncle. After Octavian is named Caeser's heir he tries to tell her about his plan to gain power and save the Republic, only to have her laugh in his face. A few months later, after he has left home to raise an army, his friend Marcus Agrippa arrives to deliver a message. In a conversation with him Octavia claims to have written her brother several times in the hopes of convincing him to stop "this nonsense", but that he never listens to her. Agrippa, who is clearly attracted to her, tells her that she has more influence over her brother than she thinks.Agrippa stumbles upon a hemp-addled Octavia at an orgy with her friend Jocasta in Heroes of the Republic
Heroes of the Republic
"Heroes of the Republic" is the fifth episode of the second season of the television series Rome.-Plot summary:The struggle in Rome continues as Octavian, the new Caesar, with his army at the city's borders, establishes himself as consul to the senate with the reluctant help of Cicero. Meanwhile,...
, and carries her unwillingly home. Atia berates her daughter, scandalised by her behaviour; she thinks it will arouse Octavian's ire, and threatens Agrippa to keep quiet. He insists he would never do anything to hurt Octavia and alludes to the high esteem he feels for her, adding the admonition to Atia that she never speak to Octavia that way in his presence again.
In the episode Philippi
Philippi (Rome)
"Philippi" is the sixth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The episode portrays the civil war between the Second Triumvirate and the combined forces of Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, murderers of Julius Caesar...
, Agrippa admits to Octavia that he loves her, nonetheless aware that it is hopeless for him to think a common man like him could ever marry the sister of Octavian. She insists she will be with whom she wants, but Agrippa notes, "No ... you'll marry some useful nobleman of your brother's choosing." Later, they become lovers and share a few passionate hours before Agrippa must leave with Octavian and Antony for Greece to fight Brutus and Cassius
Gaius Cassius Longinus (character of Rome)
Gaius Cassius Longinus is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Guy Henry. Cassius is depicted as a stubborn young man who is one of the first people who wants Caesar dead. He is one of the figures who devised the plot for...
. Octavia ignores Agrippa as she says goodbye to her brother, but Atia knows immediately that they are romantically involved.
In Death Mask
Death Mask (Rome)
"Death Mask" is the seventh episode of the second season of the television series Rome. It aired on March 4, 2007.-Plot summary:Servilia mourns the death of Brutus, killed at Phillipi. She kneels in front of Atia's door chanting repeatedly for justice. Although Atia ignores her initially, the...
, Atia suggests that the marriage between her and longtime lover Mark Antony
Mark Antony (character of Rome)
Mark Antony is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by James Purefoy. Like the real Mark Antony he was a Roman general and politician and a close supporter of Julius Caesar.- Season 1 :...
finally occur as a show of unity between Antony and Octavian. The men agree that such an arrangement is necessary, but to Atia's surprise it is Octavia who is betrothed to Antony. Understanding that Octavia's childbearing age makes her more suitable for the match, Atia goes along with the marriage – but is furious. Later, Octavia accepts Antony's advances in bed, resigning herself to her role as his wife.
Octavian's darker side emerges further in A Necessary Fiction
A Necessary Fiction
"A Necessary Fiction" is the eighth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The air date is March 11, 2007.-Plot summary:...
as he discovers that not only is Octavia is involved with Agrippa, but Atia and Antony have resumed their affair. Furious, Octavian commands Antony to leave Rome indefinitely, or be publicly shamed with Octavia's adultery. He sends Atia and Octavia into seclusion (under armed guard) at Atia's villa, and solemnly forgives a shamed and remorseful Agrippa. Atia later manages to sneak Agrippa into the house as a surprise for Octavia, but he brings bad news; despite her pleas for them to run away together, an honourable Agrippa has decided to break off the relationship out of respect for Octavian. Octavia accuses him of choosing the power Octavian gives him over her, and calls him a coward. As she walks away, Octavia mentions that she is pregnant; to whether the father is Agrippa or Anthony, she says, "Who knows? Neither man is worth a brass obol, so what matter?"
Years later in the next episode, Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus
Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus (No God Can Stop a Hungry Man)
"Deus Impeditio Esuritori Nullus" is the ninth episode of the second season of the television series Rome. The air date is March 18, 2007...
, Octavia is living with Atia in Rome, raising her blonde daughter Antonia alone. Mark Antony is in Egypt with Cleopatra
Cleopatra (character of Rome)
Cleopatra is a character from the HBO/BBC original television series Rome, played by Lyndsey Marshal from October 16, 2005 through March 25, 2007. The basis for this character is the famous historical Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII.-Personality:...
and their own twins, Helios and Selene; when he refuses Octavian's request for increased grain supplies for a starving Rome, Octavian sends his mother and sister to intervene. Trying to avoid Cleopatra's jealous fury (and prevent Atia's public humiliation or murder), he has his wife and former lover sent away without seeing them. Atia is devastated, and an offended Octavia tosses her wedding ring into the sea.
In the series finale, De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)
De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)
"De Patre Vostro" is the tenth and final episode of the second season of the television series Rome. It originally aired on March 25, 2007....
, Octavia takes the death of her husband matter-of-factly. Octavian asks Octavia to raise Antony and Cleopatra's twins, and she accepts. At Octavian's triumph, she is seen catching the glance of Agrippa.
Comparison to the historical Octavia Thurina Minor
The historical Octavia MinorOctavia Minor
Octavia the Younger , also known as Octavia Minor or simply Octavia, was the sister of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus , half-sister of Octavia the Elder, and fourth wife of Mark Antony...
's first husband was Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor
Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor
:See Gaius Claudius Marcellus for other men of this name, or Gaius Claudius Marcellus Maior for his cousin, consul of 49 BC.Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor was a Roman senator and consul. He was a member of the distinguished Claudius family...
, and she bore him three children, Marcellus
Marcus Claudius Marcellus (Julio-Claudian dynasty)
Marcus Claudius Marcellus was the eldest son of Octavia Minor, sister of Augustus, and Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor, a former consul...
, Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella was the name of the two daughters of Octavia Minor, the sister of Emperor Augustus, by her first husband, the consul Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor. According to Suetonius, they were known as The Marcellae sisters. The sisters were born in Rome...
Major and Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella
Claudia Marcella was the name of the two daughters of Octavia Minor, the sister of Emperor Augustus, by her first husband, the consul Gaius Claudius Marcellus Minor. According to Suetonius, they were known as The Marcellae sisters. The sisters were born in Rome...
Minor; the Octavia in Rome is married to a nobleman named Glabius, with whom she has no children. In reality, it was Julius Caesar who wanted her to marry Pompey, not Atia, and Octavia was widowed four years after Caesar's assassination, not before, as depicted in the series.
There is no historical evidence to suggest that Octavia had sexual relationships with Servilia Caepionis
Servilia Caepionis
Servilia Caepionis was the mistress of Julius Caesar, mother of one of Caesar's assassins, Brutus, mother-in-law of another Caesar assassin, Cassius, and half-sister of Cato the Younger.-Life:...
(basis for the character Servilia of the Junii), Pompey, her brother Octavian or Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was a Roman statesman and general. He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defense minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus...
, as is dramatised in the series.
Octavia Minor did marry Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
, but was pregnant with her third child by her first husband at the time. When Antony left Rome, he actually settled in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece, and not Egypt; Octavia went with him, and she and Antony later had two daughters, Antonia Major
Antonia Major
Antonia Major , also known as Antonia the Elder, was a daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia Minor and a relative of the first Roman Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
and Antonia Minor
Antonia Minor
Antonia Minor , also known as Antonia the Younger or simply Antonia was the younger of two daughters of Roman politician Mark Antony and Octavia Minor. Tacitus Ann. 4.44.2 and 12.54.2 may have confused the two Antonia sisters...
. Historically, Antony had met Cleopatra and fathered their twins, Alexander Helios
Alexander Helios
Alexander Helios was a Ptolemaic prince and was the eldest son of Greek Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Roman triumvir Mark Antony. His twin was Cleopatra Selene II. He was of Greek and Roman heritage. Cleopatra named him Alexander in honour of her Macedonian heritage, and after her...
and Cleopatra Selene
Cleopatra Selene (II)
Cleopatra Selene II , also known as Cleopatra VIII of Egypt or Cleopatra VIII was a Ptolemaic Princess and was the only daughter to Greek Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Roman triumvir Mark Antony. She was the fraternal twin of Ptolemaic prince Alexander Helios...
, before marrying Octavia. He did eventually leave his wife in Greece and reunite with Cleopatra in Egypt; he and Cleopatra later had a third child, Ptolemy Philadelphus
Ptolemy Philadelphus (Cleopatra)
Ptolemy Philadelphus was a Ptolemaic prince and was the youngest and fourth child of Greek Ptolemaic Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt, and her third with Roman Triumvir Mark Antony. Ptolemy was of Greek and Roman heritage. He was born in Antioch, Syria...
.