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( Nero Claudius Drusus)
Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, born Decimus Claudius Drusus (the date of his name change is unknown) and variously called Drusus, Drusus I, Nero Drusus, or Drusus the Elder (14 January 38 BC - 9 BC) was the youngest son of Roman Empress Livia Drusilla (third wife of Roman Emperor Augustus) from her first marriage to Tiberius Claudius Nero and was thus a patrician Claudian on both sides. He was the brother of the Roman emperor Tiberius, the father of the emperor Claudius and the famous general Germanicus, a grandfather of the emperor Caligula, and a great-grandfather of the emperor Nero. Drusus was born shortly before Livia divorced Tiberius Claudius Nero and married Augustus (17 January, 38 BC), giving rise to rumors that Augustus was the real father, although this is widely discredited by modern historians as Augustus had not yet met Livia when Drusus would have been conceived. Before Augustus married Livia, Tiberius Claudius Nero was declared Drusus' biological father. According to Suetonius, he was born with the praenomen Decimus, but it was later changed to Nero. He was raised in Claudius Nero's house with his brother, the future emperor Tiberius, until his father's death. Drusus and Tiberius developed a famously close relationship in this environment that would last the rest of their lives. Tiberius named his eldest son after his brother (in violation of Roman naming standards), and Drusus did likewise. Drusus married Antonia Minor, the daughter of Mark Antony and Augustus' sister, Octavia Minor, and gained a reputation of being completely faithful to her. Their children were Germanicus, Livilla, the future Emperor Claudius, and at least two others who did not survive infancy. After Drusus' death, Antonia never remarried, though she outlived him by nearly five decades. Augustus bestowed many honors on his stepsons. In 19 BC, Drusus was granted the ability to hold all public offices five years before the minimum age. When Tiberius left Italy during his term as praetor in 16 BC, Drusus legislated in his place. He became quaestor the following year, fighting against Raetian bandits in the alps. Drusus repelled them, gaining honors, but was unable to smash their forces, and required reinforcement from Tiberius. The brothers easily defeated the local Alpine tribes. In 13 BC, Drusus was sent to govern Gaul to quell riots caused by the actions of a previous administrator. While there, a tribe of Germans entered Gaul and proceeded to attack Roman settlements. Drusus mobilized his legions and beat the invaders back across the Rhine. He penetrated deep into German territory, traveling as far as the North Sea and placing a yearly tribute on the Frisians. As a reward, Drusus was made praetor urbanus for 11 BC.
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