The Sun Sets on Rome
"Promise me we'll always be together, Tiberius." Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla lay in bed together on a hot summer evening.
"Oh, Livia, you are so innocent and sweet."
"Tiberius, promise me. Please, so I shall know you love me."
"Yes Livia, we will always be together. I'll not let you get away from me."
And all of Rome lay quietly before daybreak as Livia fell into a deep, peaceful slumber. The stars were brightly burning in the cool blue sky, while nearby in Rome another slept, dreaming of a beautiful woman he would come to know and love. That woman was Livia.
~
Tiberius and Livia had been joyfully married in and Livia had already borne him a son, also called Tiberius Claudius Nero. She came from a very prestigious family and the match had proved a good one. Then one day an incident occurred that would alter both their lives forever.
"Livia, Livia where are you?" Tiberius came into the house with gusto.
"Tiberius, I'm right here. What is the matter?"
"We have been invited to dine at the house of Octavianus. We are to be there tonight."
"Oh that is wonderful Tiberius, I know you have been interested to meet and talk with him."
"Yes, I have. I know that he is not in favor of a republic as am I but I thought it might be interesting to get his views on the subject. He is a very promising young man."
"You know, I think I shall start getting ready. I want everyone to know that I am your wife and I want them to be impressed. May I go now, to get ready?"
"Yes, yes, do start getting ready. And help young Tiberius to get ready as well."
Meanwhile, at the house of the young Octavianus, the slaves were preparing the meal and entertainment, as his wife, Scribonia, and daughter, Julia, prepared for the evening. Octavianus was a young politician and member of the army. Despite his age he was very successful and had done very well with his army career. He was also the great nephew of Julius Caesar and his main heir. But now his thoughts were on the dream he had of that beautiful woman. She had been so pure and intensely happy. He could not get her out of his mind, but who was she? What did that dream mean? His thoughts were interrupted by the announcement of the arrival of his first guests. The evening had begun.
When Livia, Tiberius and their boy arrived at Octavianus's home, they were greeted warmly, and little Tiberius became acquainted with Julia. Livia thought Octavianus a man who knew what he wanted and did not let much keep him from getting it. He was also a very impressive specimen, and, although he was very kind, the dedication that he brought to things was so overwhelming that it was a little frightening. Oh, and the food was wonderful. Tiberius and Livia lay on the couch to the left of the center one, where Octavianus and his family lay, with their son seated in front of them. Course after course, and hour after hour, the night wore on and Livia began to feel a bit uncomfortable around Octavianus. He seemed to be intensely infatuated with her, always looking at her and following her with his strong, powerful, and passionate stare.
Livia was right. Octavianus was looking at her with an extreme desire. He could not believe that he had found her without even meaning to. The woman from his dream. She looked so beautiful with that shade of imposter purple floating by her feet at the bottom of her tunica. He knew he was being distant towards others, impolite, but he could not help it. He needed to talk to Tiberius alone, to ask him how she acted at home, and how he would feel about divorcing her so that she could marry him. He had a new goal; he wanted that woman to be his, to love her, talk to her, grow old with her. Maybe, if he played his cards right, they could have a child together who could one day rule all of Rome. He knew it was a big dream, but he also knew it could happen. It had to happen.
~
"Tiberius, might I have a word with you?" Octavianus and Tiberius had become friends although Octavianus had not yet ventured to ask him about Livia until now.
"Yes Octavianus, what can I do for you?"
"It's about your wife, Livia."
"What about her? has she done something wrong?"
"Oh, no, quite the contrary. I was wondering how you and she are getting along these days."
"Quite well actually. She is such a dear, and Tiberius is growing up nicely."
"Good, good. But, you see, I wanted to talk to you about marriage. What are your thoughts on the subject?"
"Well, I guess I feel that marriage is a wonderful thing. Everyone should find their match and have a family. Why?" Tiberius inquired, wondering where the conversation was going.
"I am very glad to hear you say that. You see, I am thinking of divorcing Scribonia because I feel that I am in love and must act, or I will forever regret it."
"Why, Octavianus, that is simply marvelous. Tell me, who is the lucky girl you have set your heart on?"
"That's the problem, Tiberius. I am afraid that I have fallen in love with your Livia."
"LIVIA!!! Well I'll say that's a shock. I....I had no idea, not even, not even the slightest clue. How does Livia feel about this?"
"I have not consulted her yet. I wanted your opinion first. Would it be all right with you, if we were married?"
"I feel very confused, but to be completely honest and to tell you the truth, I guess I think you would be good for each other. I, I'll tell you what. I will tell Livia of the news, and then we shall both get divorced, and then, oh and then you shall marry my Livia."
"Thank you, Tiberius. You have made me very happy."
Later that day Tiberius came home in search of Livia. He had thought a lot about what had happened in so short a time, finally deciding that he had done the right thing. Octavianus was a mentally strong person and was becoming very powerful. He would make a good husband. And after all, he himself was getting a bit old and he would never want to leave Livia on her own. Livia would probably be very happy, he thought. But he was wrong.
"You told me you loved me, Tiberius. You swore to me we would always, ALWAYS, be together. And I am pregnant, PREGNANT!! Does Octavianus know about that? That he wants to marry a woman with the baby of another man still in her womb!! Is that even allowed? Oh, how could you do this to me Tiberius? Betray me like that, HOW COULD YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Livia exclaimed as she exasperatedly burst into an ocean of tears. As Tiberius looked at the river flowing from her beautiful eyes, he sighed. This was not what he had thought would happen.
"Please don't make me marry him, Tiberius," Livia begged in a more quiet fashion, "Please. I still love you and I know we are happy together. Why did you have to tell him I would marry him? You can go and tell him that it would be for the best if things just remained the way they are now. Everyone is happy. You can tell him that can't you, please." Livia looked up pleadingly into his eyes and tried to be near to him, tried to hold him close. But he could not and would not let her. He pushed her away.
"Livia, you cannot act like this. I will not allow it, and being the head of this household and I will be obeyed. I thought you would be happy, and I think you will make a good match. Far better then we have or could ever make. Now you have made me look like some cruel animal. I expect you never to act this way again. You will, however, be married to Octavianus and you WILL be a good and loyal wife to him. He is a good man. That is all I am going to say." And with that Tiberius walked out of the room leaving Livia alone. But she was confused and hurt, bewildered. This was not the Tiberius she knew. No, he was kind and loving, unlike the display she had just witnessed. But Livia was a woman with a will and a way of getting things done. She would somehow make it known, at least to Tiberius, that no husband of hers would get away with that.
Livia eventually married Octavianus although, because of her pregnancy, they had to check to make sure the marriage would still be legal. It was. Although Livia tried to ignore it, they were fairly happy together, and Livia's two sons, Tiberius and Drusus (upon being born), lived with their father. But Livia was still mad, furious in fact, with her first husband, Tiberius. She was, for a while, a bit lethargic, and her thoughts often wandered to revenge. But how could she pull off a murder, the murder of Tiberius, and get away with it? She, she, she would poison him; no, she would have someone who owed her a favor poison him. It would be perfect. He would pay, she thought, yes, he would pay. After that day Octavianus never had any problems with her. She provided for him a companion and an advisor, although never a son. And Octavianus, later Augustus, loved her and grew old with her until death parted them. But years later it was said that Tiberius was heard choking and gasping for air as the poison infected his body with its snake-like grip, sucking the life out of him and turning his body colder than ice, as Tiberius, now a man, looked on helplessly with no way to save him. On that same night, Augustus felt Livia's heart turn to cold stone.
By Rachel R. '02, Germantown Academy