Alessandra Valentini

Lucius Munatius Plancus, who served under Caesar in the Gallic and Civil Wars and was a correspondent of Cicero, is mentioned by Velleius Paterculus on eight occasions, with regard to events between 43 and 22 B.C. Velleius portrays him in defamatory terms. In order to explain the reasons of Velleius’ resentment, the figure of Munatia Plancina, daughter (or granddaughter) of Plancus, is here investigated. When Germanicus died in A.D. 19, she was accused by Agrippina of murder, but her life was saved by Livia’s intercession. Velleius’ violent attack upon Plancina’s family could be interpreted as an indirect attack against Livia.