Allusions to Livia and Her Gentes in Vergil’s Aeneid

ABSTRACT:Vergil’s Aeneid contains more allusions to Augustus’ wife than scholars have previously recognized; because Livia was connected with both the Drusi and Claudii, Vergil’s references to those gentes and their ancestors allude to her (among other people). Vergil pays special attention to the Claudii, the gens of which Livia was a member, into which she had married, and to which her sons also belonged. These allusions fit both with Vergil’s treatment of contemporary women and Livia’s public presentation at the time. Like all references and allusions to Augustus’ marriage, however, these can be read in a positive or negative light.