Marcus Agrippa
When people think of the Roman Empire, they think of Augustus.
Yet behind Augustus stood another extraordinary figure: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.
General, statesman, engineer, architect and trusted friend of Rome’s first emperor, Agrippa was one of the most influential men in Roman history.
Without Agrippa, Augustus might never have become emperor and many of Rome’s most famous monuments would never have existed.
Even today, visitors encounter Agrippa’s legacy throughout the Eternal City.
Who Was Marcus Agrippa?
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born around 63 BC, the same year as Octavian, the future Augustus.
The two men grew up together and remained close allies throughout their lives.
While Augustus became the political leader of Rome, Agrippa became his most trusted military commander and administrator.
Few partnerships in history have been as successful.
The General Who Won an Empire
Agrippa’s military achievements helped secure Augustus’ power.
He defeated Sextus Pompey, eliminated major threats to Octavian’s rule and played a decisive role in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
The victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra transformed the Mediterranean world and opened the path to the Roman Empire.
The Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium remains one of the most important naval battles in history.
While Augustus received the political glory, Agrippa was largely responsible for the military success.
His strategic brilliance crippled Antony’s supply lines and helped secure the final victory.
Without Actium, there would have been no Augustan Rome.
The Builder of Rome
If Augustus was the face of the new empire, Agrippa was often the man who physically built it.
He launched ambitious construction projects that transformed Rome into a monumental capital.
Ancient authors praised his commitment to public works and urban improvement.
The Original Pantheon
Agrippa’s most famous project was the original Pantheon.
The building visible today was rebuilt by Hadrian after a fire, but the inscription on the façade still honors Agrippa:
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
“Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this.”
It is one of the most famous inscriptions in the world. Continue with our Pantheon Rome guide.
The Pantheon and Augustus
The original Pantheon formed part of a larger Augustan programme in the Campus Martius.
Together with the Ara Pacis, the Horologium Augusti and the Mausoleum of Augustus, it helped create one of the most sophisticated urban landscapes of antiquity.
This wider setting is explored in our Campus Martius and the Ara Pacis guide.
Agrippa and the Aqueducts
Agrippa was responsible for major improvements to Rome’s water supply.
He restored existing aqueducts and constructed new ones, dramatically increasing the amount of water reaching the city.
His work improved sanitation, public fountains and daily life for countless Romans.
The Aqua Virgo
One of Agrippa’s greatest engineering achievements was the Aqua Virgo.
Completed in 19 BC, it still functions today.
The aqueduct continues to supply water to some of Rome’s most famous fountains, including the Trevi Fountain.
Few ancient engineering projects remain in active use after more than two thousand years.
The First Public Baths
Agrippa also constructed Rome’s first large-scale public baths.
These facilities helped establish a tradition that would later culminate in the Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of Diocletian.
Roman bathing culture became one of the defining features of urban life.
You can continue through the later imperial period with our Baths of Diocletian Rome guide.
The Campus Martius
Many of Agrippa’s projects concentrated in the Campus Martius.
His work transformed the district into one of the most important ceremonial and architectural spaces in Rome.
Today, visitors walking between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are crossing territory shaped by Agrippa’s vision.
Agrippa’s Family and Dynasty
Agrippa eventually married Julia, the daughter of Augustus.
This marriage strengthened the connection between the two men and linked Agrippa directly to the imperial family.
Several future emperors descended from this union.
The Death of Agrippa
Agrippa died unexpectedly in 12 BC.
His death was a devastating blow to Augustus.
The emperor lost not only his greatest general but also his closest friend and most capable collaborator.
The Tomb of Agrippa
Agrippa was buried within the Mausoleum of Augustus.
This honor reflects the extraordinary position he occupied within the Augustan regime.
Few non-imperial figures received such recognition.
Explore the monument further in our Mausoleum of Augustus Rome guide.
Agrippa and the Pax Romana
The stability of the Pax Romana depended not only on Augustus but also on Agrippa.
His military victories, administrative reforms and construction projects helped create the conditions for centuries of prosperity.
The political world that followed is explored in our Pax Romana guide.
The Forgotten Genius of Rome
Modern visitors often know Augustus but overlook Agrippa.
Yet many historians consider him one of the most talented individuals of the ancient world.
He excelled as a soldier, engineer, administrator, architect and statesman.
Very few Romans matched his range of abilities.
The man behind the Augustan transformation of Rome.
- Marcus Agrippa’s life
- The Battle of Actium
- The original Pantheon
- The Aqua Virgo
- Roman aqueducts
- The Campus Martius
- The Mausoleum of Augustus
- The Pax Romana
- The transformation of Rome
Explore the city through the people who built it.
Our private experiences connect monuments, archaeology and historical figures into a coherent journey through ancient Rome.
Explore Private Experiences →To understand Augustan Rome, first understand Agrippa.
Augustus may have founded the Roman Empire, but Marcus Agrippa helped make it possible.
His victories secured Rome, his engineering transformed the city and his buildings shaped the capital for centuries.
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