Anto'nia
6. The younger of the two daughters of M. Antonius by Octavia, born about B. C. 36, was married to Drusus, the brother of the emperor Tiberius, by whom she had three children: 1. Germanicus, the father of the emperor Caligula; 2. Livia or Livilla; and 3. the emperor Claudius.
She lived to see the accession of her grandson Caligula to the throne, A. D. 37, who at first conferred upon her the greatest honours, but afterwards treated her with so much contempt, that her death was hastened by his conduct : according to some accounts, he administered poison to her.
The emperor Claudius paid the highest honours to her memory. Pliny (
Plin. Nat. 35.36.16) speaks of a temple of Antonia, which was probably built at the command of Claudius. Antonia was celebrated for her beauty, virtue, and chastity. Her portrait on the annexed coin supports the accounts which are given of her beauty. (
Plut. Ant. 87; Dio Cass. Iviii. 11, 59.3, 60.5;
Suet. Cal. 1.15, 23;
Tac. Ann. 3.3,
18,
11.3; Val Max. 4.3.3; Eckhel, vi. p. 178, &c.)
