Marcus Agrippa: Right-hand Man of Caesar Augustus (27 page)

10. To build and train a navy to defeat Sex. Pompeius Agrippa constructed
Portus Iulius
, connecting two inland lakes to an artificial harbour in the Bay of Pozzuoli.

11. In battle the crew of a bireme or
liburna
would disable an enemy ship by ramming it or breaking its oars. If it did not sink, marines would then board and fight to capture the vessel.

12. A coin depicts the prow of a warship with its cast bronze beak and a multi-level tower used as a platform for catapults or ballistas.

13. From his base in Sicily, Sex. Pompeius used biremes of the kind depicted on this coin, which bears a portrait of his famous father. The warship is shown with mainsail unfurled.

14. After military victories in Aquitania and Germania Magna, Agrippa was elected Consul Designate for 37 BCE.

15. As aedile Agrippa prioritised repairs to the fresh water transportation and distribution system, starting with the
Aqua Marcia
.

16. One of Agrippa’s great innovations was the large scale integrated public bathing centre. The
Thermae Agrippae
combined damp and dry heat baths with an adjoining gymnasium. Only a single section of wall survives.

17. Agrippa intended his great building to be called the
Augusteum
. Though flattered, Augustus overruled the proposal. It has been called the Pantheon ever since and still bears its original builder’s name.

18. Antonius and Caesar were uncomfortable partners in the Second Triumvirate. Antonius ridiculed his junior colleague’s age – he was only 20 when this coin was minted – and lack of experience, but would come to regret underestimating his his colleague’s potential to surprise.

19. Queen Kleopatra VII of Egypt became Antonius’ principal backer, providing the means for him to field an army and navy against Caesar and Agrippa.

20. Military mints travelling with the triumvirs provided coin to pay the troops. Antonius’ coins showed the
aquila
and
signa
of a unit – here
Legio
II – on one side, and a bireme with its main mast down, on the other.

21. A view of the Gulf of Ambracia where the navies of Caesar and Antonius clashed. Agrippa led his fleet to a pivotal victory at the Battle of Actium on 2 September 31 BCE.

22. In the years following Actium, ‘IMP[erator] CAESAR’ minted coins celebrating the victory such as this naval trophy of captured arms, armour and warship.