Marcus Agrippa (Rome Character) - Character History

Character History

Born into a humble yet well founded family, Agrippa's home is in Campania. He first appears when Gaius Octavian sends him to Rome to give his mother and sister a message, as well as sort out a few alliances Octavian wishes to make. While Octavian's sister Octavia is taken very quickly with Agrippa's friendly charm, Atia his mother straight away sees Agrippa as a threat to her paramour Mark Antony, who is Consul. Despite Octavia's protests for Agrippa's safety, Atia sends word to Antony to inform him that Agrippa is in the city and asks him to capture him. However, Antony takes the young man's being in Rome lightly as he knows why he was there; Octavian is trying to ally with Cicero, and believing that Cicero will not betray him, he leaves Agrippa alone. Nonetheless, Agrippa manages to secure an alliance with Cicero for Octavian, and returns to Octavian and their 10,000-head legion in Campania, unharmed.

Agrippa later 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, scandalized by her behavior; 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 admits his love 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 begin a torrid affair before Agrippa leaves with Octavian and Antony for Greece to fight Brutus and Cassius. Octavia makes a point of ignoring Agrippa when saying goodbye to her brother, but Atia realises 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; Agrippa is torn between his love for Octavia and his duty to Octavian. Octavia accepts Antony's advances in bed, resigning herself to her role as his wife. However, it is not long before she and Agrippa resume their relationship.

Octavian's darker side emerges further in A Necessary Fiction as he discovers the extent of his family's sexual infidelities. Furious, and concerned over the potential political implications, 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 honorable 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; it is almost certain that the child is his. Several years later, Agrippa goes on to defeat Antony at the Battle of Actium. It is implied in the last episode of the series that the two will resume their affair following Antony's death.