How Did Augustus Use Agrippa

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In discussion of Agrippa it is important to consider his beginnings. He was adopted by Augustus at the age of fifteen, when Germanicus was eighteen and Tiberius was forty-six. Due to Tiberius’ track record, he was the obvious choice for succession. He had been consul twice and invested with tribunicia potestas for a period of five years. The question of why Agrippa was even adopted by Augustus is raised by Pettinger, as it is obvious who was going to be succeeding Augustus as princeps. This question holds the meat of the analysis of the Roman court in regards to the adoption of Agrippa, which is described as an attempt by Augustus to keep a potential political rival far out of reach from those who could influence him.