Early 19thC Staffordshire figure depicting Agrippina  with the Ashes of Germanicus.  Height 20cms.

The Roman commander Nero Claudius Drusus was renamed Germanicus because of his victories over the German people. He was assassinated in Syria in 19 C.E. His wife, Agrippinna, brought his ashes back to Rome, determined to avenge his death. This subject was a popular one in the neo-classical period, no doubt inspiring this figure.
Interesting factoids:
1. This figure is sometimes incorrectly dubbed Antonia with the Ashes of Germanicus. Antonia was Germanicus's mother but she is never portrayed with his ashes. I believe the mistake, which appears in Halfpenny p149, has been perpetuated over the years.
2. You may never had heard of Germanicus, but I bet you know who Caligula was. Germanicus and Agrippina were the parents of this cruel, perverted Roman Emperor.

 


Comments

LaPlace Moss
12/25/2008 10:47

Merry Christmas, Myrna. Hope you and yours are having a wonderful day.

Your gift to me was enlightenment on the correct name for this figure, which I have called Antonia for the many years I have owned it. I also did not know Agrippina and Germanicus were Caligula's parents. What a fun fact to know.

Thanks for the effort you put into this website, which is a great source for learning more about the pottery I so enjoy. Hope your holidays are filled with joy and much humor.

Reply



Leave a Reply