Marcus Livius Drusus Libo

Marcus Livius Drusus Libo was the natural son of Lucius Scribonius Libo and an unknown wife^[1]. His natural paternal aunt was Scribonia, the second wife of Augustus, as a consequence of which he was a natural paternal first cousin of Julia Caesaris.

Adoption

He is believed to have been adopted by Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus^[2][3], the father of Livia Drusilla, who was the third wife of Augustus.

However, as a result of his 'L.f.' filiation attested in Book 54 of the Roman History of Cassius Dio^[4], it is believed that his adoption was only testmentary^[5] (whereby the adoptee is permitted to use, and therefore carry on, the name of the adoptor)^[6].

Career

The career of Marcus Livius Drusus Libo is largely unknown, except that he was ordinary consul in 15 BC with Lucius Calpurnius Piso. Livius Drusus served as an aedile in 28 BC, shortly before the Pantheon in Rome was completed. He served as a consul in 15 BC. Historian Pliny the Elder (H.N. xxxvi. 15. s. 24), mentions him among those in Rome, who hosted the Secular Games, during Augustus’ reign. There is also a possibility that he was a member of the Arval Brethren^[7].

Marriage and Family

No wife is on attestation for Marcus Livius Drusus Libo, only a daughter. The existence of this daughter is assumed on the basis of the name of a young woman named Livia Medullina Camilla, whom Claudius was intended to marry in 8AD, but who died on the day of their wedding^[8].

It is believed that Livia Medullina Camilla was the daughter of Marcus Furius Camillus and a woman named 'Livia', theorised to be the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Libo on the basis of the name 'Livia' in Livia Medullina Camilla^[9][10].

Footnotes

1. ^ Syme, R. Augustan Aristocracy (1989), pp. 257.8
2. ^ Syme, R., Augustan Aristocracy (1989), p. 257
3. ^ Weinrib, E.J., The Family Connections of M. Livius Drusus Libo
4. ^ Cassius Dio, Roman History 54
5. ^ Syme, R., Augustan Aristocracy (1989), pp. 257/8
6. ^ Gardner, J.F., Family and familia in Roman law and life (1998), p. 129 [1]
7. ^ Syme, R., Augustan Aristocracy (1989), p. 46
8. ^ Suetonius, Life of Claudius 26.1
9. ^ Syme, R., Augustan Aristocracy (1989), p. 259
10. ^ Weinrib, E.J., 'The Family Connections of M. Livius Drusus Libo' from Harvard Studies in Classical Philology (1968)

References

• Cassius Dio, Roman History [2]
• Gardner, J.F.; Family and familia in Roman law and life (Oxford University Press, 1998) ISBN 0198152175, ISBN 9780198152170
• Syme, Ronald; Augustan Aristocracy (Oxford University Press, 1989). ISBN 0198147317, ISBN 9780198147312
• Suetonius, Life of Claudius [3] [4]
• Weinrib, E.J.; 'The Family Connections of M. Livius Drusus Libo' from Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Vol. 72 (1968).

Preceded by Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus and Lucius Tarius Rufus

Consul of the Roman Empire together with Lucius Calpurnius Piso 15 BC

Succeeded by Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi and Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Augur

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Name	Libo, Marcus Livius Drusus
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