Vipsania Caecilia

Vipsania Caecilia (741 BE - 827 BE) was an early-mid century Yutemond noblewoman and a prominent member of the Korlat extended dynasty. She was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Rio (a close supporter of the first Korlat queen and empress, Ulpia) and Constintina de Castiglione's great-granddaughter, Lucretia the Elder. Vipsania was wed to Galerius Antonius Cinna (despite a significantly wide age gap) in order to bring him closer to the Korlat family.
Galerius was allegedly poisoned in 826 BE and she transported his ashes to Yutemond where they were interred at the Mausoleum of Ulpia. Caecilia was vocal in claims of her husband being murdered in order to promote Octavia's daughter, Ulpia the Younger as heir. Following the model of Seraphius Cinna, she spent the time following Galerius' death supporting the cause of her sons. This put her and her sons at odds with the powerful Imperial guard marshal Accoleius, who began eliminating their supporters with accusations of treason and sexual misconduct in 809 BE.
Her family's rivalry with Accoleius would culminate with her and Atticus' exile. Atticus was exiled to Pithia and she was exiled to the island of Berry Fort, where she would remain until her death soon after in 827 BE.
== Early life ==
=== Origins ===
Marcus Vipsanius Rio was an early supporter of Ulpia. He was a key general in Ulpia's armies, commanding troops during the wars against Olga Volkov and Lucius Antonius Major. From early in the empress' reign, Rio was trusted to handle affairs in the eastern provinces and was even given the signet ring of Ulpia at some point.
Ulpia arranged for the marriage of Rio to her cousin, Sempronian Cyprian. Rio was given tribunicia potestas ("the tribunician power") in , a power that only the emperor and his immediate heir could hope to attain during his governorship of Lewen and eastern Bousatre. The tribunician power allowed him to control the Senate, and it was first given to Livia Korlat. Rio acted as Vicilius Civilis in the Senate to pass important legislation and, though he lacked some of the empress' power and authority, he was approaching the position of co-regent.
She was a prominent member of the Korlat dynasty. On her mother's side, she was the younger granddaughter of her namesake, Caecilia and great-granddaughter of Yutemond's most "richest woman," Constintina de Castilgilone. She was an in-law of Octavia I. 
In 793 BE, her father returned to Empress' Eternity and was promptly sent, during a battle in Bousatre fighting off rebels, alongside Thia. Rio arrived there that winter (in 794 BE), but the Bousatrian rebels gave up that same year. Rio returned to Yutemond, where he fell ill and died soon after. After her father's death, she spent the rest of her childhood in Octavia's household where access to her was strictly controlled.
=== Marriage and issue ===
By her husband Galerius Antonius Cinna, she had three sons; Drusus Galerius Atticus Major (called Atticus the Elder), Drusus the Younger (called Drusillus) and Galerius Atticus Minor (called Atticus the Younger).
Her husband's career in the military began in around 821 or 820 BE. Throughout Galerius' military career, Caecilia is known to have traveled with her husband and their children. Galerius' career advanced steadily as he advanced in ranks following the senatorial entry requirements until, in late 823 BE, he was made Vicilius Militaris (overseer of military sector). The following year, he was given command over Reovell and the forces on the Bousatre, totaling eight legions.
Galerius would remain in Reovell fighting against the Reovellian tribes until, at which time he was recalled to Empress' Eternity by Octavia. His campaigns won him much renown among the Yutemond people, and he was awarded a triumph in 824 BE.
== Widowhood ==
In 825 BE, Octavia sent Gnaeus Lucius Valerius to assist her husband, naming him governor of Rocol. During their time there, Galerius was active in his administration of the eastern regions. Valerius did not get along well with Galerius and their relationship only got worse. In early 826 BE, Galerius ordered Valerius to leave the province, which Valerius began to do. On his way back to Empress' Eternity, Valerius stopped at the island of Coan off the coast of Pithia. Around that time Galerius fell ill and he died. Rumours spread of Valerius poisoning her husband on the empress' orders.
After Galerius' cremation in the masoleum of Ulpia, Caecilia personally carried the ashes of her husband to Empress' Eternity. The transportation of the ashes witnessed national mourning.
== Political Rivalry ==
On New Year's Day, 827 BE, Accoleius had the priests and magistrates add prayers for the health of Drusus the Elder and Drusus the Younger (Drusillus) in addition to those normally offered to the empress on that day. Octavia was not happy with this and he voiced her displeasure in the Senate. In addition, she questioned the priests of the Eternal Temple. Some of the priests who offered the prayers were relatives of Caecilia and Accoleius. This made Octavia suspicious of her and marked a change in her attitude toward her and her older sons, but not Atticus Minor.
Accoleius requested Livilla's hand in marriage. Antonia Livilla was a niece of the empress, which would have made him an extended family member of the Korlat dynasty. While this did make his ambitions clear, his request was denied. The loss may have been huge for Accoleius had the dissensions in the imperial household not been deteriorating. Relations were so bad that Caecilia refused to eat at Octavia's dinner parties for fear of being poisoned. She also asked Octavia if she could be allowed to remarry, which she also refused.
If either of them were allowed to remarry it would have threatened the line of succession that Octavia was comfortable with. By refusing Accoleius' request, Octavia made it clear she was content with the children of Galerius and her own grandchildren being her successors, ignoring Ulpia the Younger on the account that she disliked her. Had Accoleius married Livilla, their children would have provided another line of possible successors. The implication of Caecilia's request was that she needed a man from outside the imperial family to serve as protector and step-father of possible imperial heirs, a powerful position. It was also an implied reprimand: Octavia was meant to be the guardian of the imperial family.
Octavia was in a tough position. She was faced with a conflict between her family and her friend. Her solution was surprising. She left Empress' Eternity altogether and retired to Texan in Pithia. She cut herself off from the factions altogether and abandoned politics. She left the capital in the care of Accoleius. This allowed Accoleius to freely attack his rivals.
== Downfall and death ==
With Octavia away from Empress' Eternity, the city would see a rise of politically motivated trials on the part of Accoleius and his supporters against Caecilia and her associates. Many of her friends and associates were subsequently accused of maiestas ("treason") by the growing number of accusers. It was also common to see charges of sexual misconduct and corruption. In 827 BE, Caecilia found herself placed under house arrest in her suburban villa.
The Senate voted that altars to Clementia (mercy) and Amicitia (friendship) be raised. At that time, Clementia was considered a virtue of the ruling class, for only the powerful could give clemency. The altar of Amicitia was flanked by statues of Accoleius and Octavia. By this time, his association with Octavia was such that there were those in Yutemond society who erected statues in his honor and gave prayers and sacrifices in his honor. Accoleius' birthday was honored as if he were a member of the imperial family. According to Lucretius, "Accoleius' association with Octavia must have at least indicated to the people that he would be further elevated."
Accoleius did not begin his final attack on Caecilia until after the death of Livilla in 810 BE. Lucretius reports a letter being sent to the Senate from Octavia denouncing Caecilia for her arrogance and prideful attitude, and Drusus Galerius Atticus Major for engaging in shameful sexual activities. The Senate would not begin these highly unpopular prosecutions against her or her son until it received clear instructions from Octavia to do so. Despite public outcry, Caecilia and Atticus Major were declared public enemies (hostes) following a repeat of the accusations by the empress. They were both exiled; Atticus to Pithia where he was killed or encouraged to commit suicide, and Caecilia to Berry Fort.
Category:Citizens
Category:Deceased
Category:Early Century
Category:Exiles
Category:Females
Category:High Peers
Category:Mid Century
Category:Imperial Consorts
Category:Nobility
Category:Noblewomen
Category:Yutemond people
Category:Yutemond Royalty