Agrippa’s Movements: September 2, 31 BC – August 13, 29 BC

This document outlines Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa’s naval and political activities from the Battle of Actium (September 2, 31 BCE) to Octavian’s triumph in Rome (August 13–15, 29 BCE), a critical period in consolidating Augustan power.

Due to limited primary sources, some details remain speculative. Contributions are welcome to clarify Agrippa’s movements.

Known Details

September 2, 31 BCE: Battle of Actium

  • Location: Actium, Greece
  • Activity: Led Octavian’s fleet to victory against Antony and Cleopatra
  • Sources: Velleius Paterculus, Compendium of Roman History Book 2, LXXXV; Plutarch, Life of Antony
  • Confidence: High, based on multiple corroborating sources

Late 31 BCE: Return to Italy

  • Location: Italy (likely Rome or Brundisium)
  • Activity: Managed veteran resettlement, held authority over Octavian’s correspondence, received sphinx seal
  • Source: Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 51
  • Confidence: High for Italy, medium for exact location (Rome vs. Brundisium)

Early 29 BCE – August 29 BCE: In Rome

  • Location: Rome
  • Activity: Conducted census, purged Senate, prepared Octavian’s triumph
  • Sources: Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 51; Encyclopaedia Britannica (s.v. “Agrippa”)
  • Confidence: High, based on governance and triumph preparations

Unknown or Speculative Details

September 31 BCE – August 30 BCE: Post-Actium Movements

  • Gap: No clear record of Agrippa’s activities during the Egyptian campaign
  • Speculation: Likely managed logistics in Italy (e.g., fleet supplies for 40,000 troops). Possible brief visits to Brundisium; Greek ports (e.g., Corinth) or eastern regions (e.g., Judea, Syria) are unsupported.
  • Questions: Did Agrippa oversee naval operations in the eastern Mediterranean? Are there unrecorded logistical roles?

Fleet Locations Post-Actium

  • Gap: Unclear where Agrippa’s fleet was stationed
  • Speculation: Likely Brundisium (Italy) or Leucas/Methone (Greece); Corinth possible but speculative
  • Questions: Are there archaeological records of fleet bases in Greece or Italy?

Presence in Other Regions (e.g., Judea, Syria)

  • Gap: No evidence of Agrippa’s presence in Judea, Syria, or Illyricum
  • Speculation: Logistical oversight of Syrian campaign plausible but unconfirmed. Judea unlikely, as Herod met Octavian in Rhodes (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 15.187–201).
  • Questions: Do regional sources (e.g., inscriptions) mention Agrippa?

Contribution Opportunities

We invite scholars to contribute primary sources, archaeological evidence, or secondary analyses to clarify Agrippa’s movements. Submit via GitHub Issues using the New Entry or Contested Entry templates. See Contributing Guidelines for details.

Notes

  • Primary Sources: Cassius Dio, Plutarch, Josephus
  • Secondary Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, World History Encyclopedia
  • Propaganda: Augustan accounts may downplay Agrippa’s role to emphasize Octavian (see /Propaganda/overview.md)
  • Source Gaps: Discussed in /Naval-Career/missing-sources.md

References

  • Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 51
  • Plutarch, Life of Antony
  • Velleius Paterculus, Compendium of Roman History, Book 2
  • Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, 15.187–201
  • Everitt, Augustus (2006)
  • Cambridge Ancient History, Volume X
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica, s.v. “Agrippa”
  • World History Encyclopedia, s.v. “Battle of Actium”

Last Updated: July 15, 2025