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51-685: Ancient geographers described the pass through what was then known as the Amanus Mountains as 300   paces across. Historically, it and the Amanian Gate to its north formed the most important route between the regions of Cilicia and Syria . Near the western end of the pass is the Pillar of Jonah , marking the spot where the Hebrew prophet was supposedly disgorged by the great fish that had consumed him. Around 401   BC, Cyrus

102-563: A Roman mile ; this is the origin of the English term "mile". The Byzantine pace ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : βῆμα , bḗma ) was an adaption of the Roman step, a distance of 2½  Greek feet . The double pace ( βῆμα διπλοῦν , bḗma diploûn ), meanwhile, was similar to the Roman unit, comprising 5 Greek feet. The Welsh pace ( Welsh : cam ) was reckoned as 3  Welsh feet of 9  inches and thus may be seen as similar to

153-568: A major battle took place at the pass between the Ottoman and Egyptian armies, where the forces of Ibrahim Pasha defeated the Turks. Pace (unit) A pace is a unit of length consisting either of one normal walking step (approximately 0.75 metres or 30 inches), or of a double step, returning to the same foot (approximately 1.5 metres or 60 inches). The normal pace length decreases with age and some health conditions. The word "pace"

204-593: A plebeian family c.  63 BC , in an uncertain location in Roman Italy , he met the future emperor Augustus, then known as Octavian, at Apollonia , in Illyria . Following the assassination of Octavian's great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Octavian returned to Italy. Around this time, Agrippa was elected tribune of the plebs . He served as a military commander, fighting alongside Octavian and Caesar's former general and right-hand man Mark Antony in

255-569: A child. He had an elder brother whose name was also Lucius Vipsanius , and a sister named Vipsania Polla . His family originated in the Italian countryside, and was of humbler and plebeian origins when compared to the highest families of the Roman aristocracy. They had not been prominent in Roman public life (but were nevertheless massively wealthy if compared to the average Roman family). According to some scholars, including Victor Gardthausen , R. E. A. Palmer , and David Ridgway , Agrippa's family

306-493: A month in mourning. Augustus oversaw the education of Agrippa's children. Agrippa had built a tomb for himself but Augustus had Agrippa's remains placed in the Mausoleum of Augustus . Agrippa was not only Augustus' most skilled subordinate commander but also his closest companion, serving him faithfully for over three decades. Historian Glen Bowersock says of Agrippa: Agrippa deserved the honours Augustus heaped upon him. It

357-504: A naval base. Antony drew up his ships and troops at Actium , where Octavian moved to meet him. Agrippa meanwhile defeated Antony's supporter Quintus Nasidius in a naval battle at Patrae . Dio relates that as Agrippa moved to join Octavian near Actium, he encountered Gaius Sosius , one of Antony's lieutenants, who was making a surprise attack on the squadron of Lucius Tarius , a supporter of Octavian. Agrippa's unexpected arrival turned

408-474: A pact with Mark Antony and Lepidus , legally established in 43 BC as the Second Triumvirate . Octavian and his consular colleague Quintus Pedius arranged for Caesar's assassins to be prosecuted in their absence , and Agrippa was entrusted with the case against Gaius Cassius Longinus . It may have been in the same year that Agrippa began his political career, holding the position of tribune of

459-526: A sort of honourable exile. He only sent his legate to Syria , while he remained at Lesbos and governed by proxy. He might have been on a secret mission to negotiate with the Parthians about the return of the Roman legions' standards. On the death of Marcellus, which took place within a year of his exile, he was recalled to Rome by Augustus, who found he could not dispense with his services. If one places

510-483: A tribune of the plebeians. These great powers of state are not usually heaped upon a former exile. It is said that Maecenas advised Augustus to attach Agrippa still more closely to him by making him his son-in-law. In 21 BC, he induced Agrippa to divorce Marcella and marry his daughter, Julia the Elder —the widow of Marcellus, equally celebrated for her beauty, abilities, and her shameless extravagance. In 19 BC, Agrippa

561-428: Is also used for units inverse to speed, used mainly for walking and running, commonly minutes per kilometer . The word "pace" is also used to translate similar formal units in other systems of measurement. Pacing is also used as an informal measure in surveying , with the "pace" equal to two of the surveyor's steps reckoned through comparison with a standard rod or chain . Like other traditional measurements,

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612-518: Is conceivable that without Agrippa, Octavian would never have become emperor. Rome would remember Agrippa for his generosity in attending to aqueducts, sewers, and baths. Agrippa was also a writer, especially on the subject of geography . Under his supervision, Julius Caesar's dream of having a complete survey of the Empire made was carried out. Agrippa constructed a circular chart, which was later engraved on marble by Augustus, and afterwards placed in

663-507: The Battle of Actium was fought. Octavian's victory, which gave him the mastery of Rome and the empire, was mainly due to Agrippa. Octavian then bestowed upon him the hand of his niece Claudia Marcella Major in 28 BC. He also served a second consulship with Octavian the same year. In 27 BC, Agrippa held a third consulship with Octavian, and in that year, the Senate also bestowed upon Octavian

714-708: The Battle of Amanus Pass between Roman forces under P. Ventidius Bassus and Parthian forces under Pharnapates . The Romans completely routed the Parthian army and killed its commander, compelling Pacorus   I to withdraw across the Euphrates and allow the Romans to restore their rule over Syria over the course of the next year. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Crusaders of Antioch and Armenians of Cilicia built several fortresses along and nearby

765-764: The Battle of Munda . Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to study in Apollonia (on the Illyrian coast) with the Macedonian legions , while Caesar consolidated his power in Rome. In the fourth month of their stay in Apollonia the news of Julius Caesar's assassination in March 44 BC reached them. Agrippa and another friend, Quintus Salvidienus Rufus , advised Octavius to march on Rome with

816-596: The Battle of Philippi . In 40 BC, he was praetor urbanus and played a major role in the Perusine war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, respectively the brother and wife of Mark Antony. In 39 or 38 BC, Agrippa was appointed governor of Transalpine Gaul . In 38 BC, he put down a rising of the Aquitanians and fought the Germanic tribes. He was consul for 37 BC, well below the usual minimum age of 43, to oversee

867-466: The English yard: 3 paces made up a leap and 9000 a Welsh mile . This standards - or measurement -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Ancient Rome –related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa ( / ə ˈ ɡ r ɪ p ə / ; c.  63 BC – 12 BC)

918-521: The aqueduct known as the Aqua Marcia and an extension of its pipes to cover more of the city. He became the first Curator Aquarum of Rome in 33 BC. Through his actions after being elected in 33 BC as one of the aediles (officials responsible for Rome's buildings and festivals), the streets were repaired and the sewers were cleaned out, and lavish public spectacles were held. Agrippa signalled his tenure of office by effecting great improvements in

969-488: The consulship for 37 BC. He was well below the usual minimum age of 43, but Octavian had suffered a humiliating naval defeat against Sextus Pompey and needed his friend to oversee the preparations for further warfare. Agrippa refused the offer of a triumph for his exploits in Gaul – on the grounds, says Dio , that he thought it improper to celebrate during a time of trouble for Octavian. Since Sextus Pompeius had command of

1020-476: The settlement plans of 23 BC failed and Augustus needed military support. After 23 BC, as part of what became known as Augustus's Second Constitutional Settlement , Agrippa's constitutional powers were greatly increased to provide the Principate of Augustus with greater constitutional stability by providing for a political heir or replacement for Augustus if he were to succumb to his habitual ill health or

1071-488: The Cimmerian Chersonnese ( Crimean Peninsula ). Agrippa's last public service was his beginning of the conquest of the upper Danube River region, which would become the Roman province of Pannonia in 13 BC. He died at Campania in 12 BC at the age of 50–51. His posthumous son, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus , was named in his honor. Augustus honoured his memory by a magnificent funeral and spent over

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1122-605: The Perusine war, Octavian departed for Gaul , leaving Agrippa as urban praetor in Rome with instructions to defend Italy against Sextus Pompeius , an opponent of the Triumvirate who was now occupying Sicily . In July 40 BC, while Agrippa was occupied with the Ludi Apollinares that were the praetor's responsibility, Sextus began a raid in southern Italy. Agrippa advanced on him, forcing him to withdraw. However,

1173-511: The Syrian Gates, including Trapessac at the northeast approach; Çalan, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) north of what is now Belen; Sarı Seki at the northwest approach; and Bagras guarding an alternate southern route between Antioch and Cilicia. The Crusader fortification at Çalan was surveyed in 1979. The pass received its present name following its conquest by the Turks . On July 28, 1832,

1224-467: The Triumvirate proved unstable, and in August 40 BC both Sextus and Antony invaded Italy (but not in an organized alliance). Agrippa's success in retaking Sipontum from Antony helped bring an end to the conflict. Agrippa was among the intermediaries through whom Antony and Octavian agreed once more upon peace. During the discussions Octavian learned that Salvidienus had offered to betray him to Antony, with

1275-571: The Younger passed through the Syrian Gates without a fight when his army of 100,000—including the ten thousand Greek mercenaries immortalized by Xenophon 's Anabasis —compelled the Persian general opposing them to order his garrison to retreat. After the 333   BC Battle of Issus , Alexander the Great 's army pursued Darius   III through the pass. In 39   BC, it was the scene of

1326-649: The battle around. As the decisive battle approached, according to Dio, Octavian received intelligence that Antony and Cleopatra planned to break past his naval blockade and escape. At first he wished to allow the flagships past, arguing that he could overtake them with his lighter vessels and that the other opposing ships would surrender when they saw their leaders' cowardice. Agrippa objected, saying that Antony's ships, although larger, could outrun Octavian's if they hoisted sails, and that Octavian ought to fight now because Antony's fleet had just been struck by storms. Octavian followed his friend's advice. On 2 September 31 BC,

1377-480: The city of Rome, restoring and building aqueducts, enlarging and cleansing the Cloaca Maxima , constructing baths and porticos, and laying out gardens. He also gave a stimulus to the public exhibition of works of art. It was unusual for an ex-consul to hold the lower-ranking position of aedile , but Agrippa's success bore out that break with tradition. As emperor, Augustus would later boast that "he had found

1428-578: The city of brick but left it of marble" in part because of the great services provided by Agrippa under his reign. Agrippa was again called away to take command of the fleet when the war with Antony and Cleopatra broke out. He captured the strategically important city of Methone at the southwest of the Peloponnese , then sailed north, raiding the Greek coast and capturing Corcyra (modern Corfu ). Octavian then brought his forces to Corcyra, occupying it as

1479-515: The colonnade built by his sister Polla. Amongst his writings, an autobiography, now lost, is referenced. Agrippa established a standard for the Roman foot in 29 BC, and thus a definition of a pace as 5 feet. An imperial Roman mile denotes 5,000  Roman feet . The term Via Agrippa is used for any part of the network of roadways in Gaul built by Agrippa. Some of these still exist as paths or even as highways. The Roman tribe Agrippia

1530-404: The events in the context of the crisis of 23 BC it seems unlikely that, when facing significant opposition and about to make a political climb down, the emperor Augustus would place a man in exile in charge of the largest body of Roman troops. What is far more likely is that Agrippa's 'exile' was actually the careful political positioning of a loyal lieutenant in command of a significant army in case

1581-559: The family of Julius Caesar , his elder brother chose another side in the civil wars of the 40s BC, fighting under Cato against Caesar in Africa . When Cato's forces were defeated, Agrippa's brother was taken prisoner but freed after Octavian interceded on his behalf. It is not known whether Agrippa fought against his brother in Africa, but he probably served in Caesar's campaign of 46 to 45 BC against Gnaeus Pompeius , which culminated in

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1632-453: The grant of these powers Agrippa was, on paper, almost as powerful as Augustus was; there was no doubt that Augustus was the man in charge. Agrippa was appointed governor of the eastern provinces a second time in 17 BC, where his just and prudent administration won him the respect and good-will of the provincials, especially from the Jewish population. Agrippa also restored Roman control over

1683-641: The highest quality public services, and was responsible for the creation of many baths, porticoes , and gardens. He was also awarded powers almost as great as those of Augustus. He had veto power over the acts of the Senate and the power to present laws for approval by the People. He died in 12 BC at the age of 50–51. Augustus honored his memory with a magnificent funeral and spent over a month in mourning. His remains were placed in Augustus' own mausoleum . Agrippa

1734-686: The imperial title of Augustus . In commemoration of the Battle of Actium, Agrippa built and dedicated the building that served as the Roman Pantheon before its destruction in AD 80. Emperor Hadrian used Agrippa's design to build his own Pantheon, which survives in Rome. The inscription of the later building, which was built c.  125 , preserves the text of the inscription from Agrippa's building during his third consulship. The years following his third consulship, Agrippa spent in Gaul, reforming

1785-472: The pace started as an informal unit of length , but was later standardized, often with the specific length set according to a typical brisk or military marching stride. In the United States the pace is an uncommon customary unit of length denoting a brisk single step and equal to 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 feet or 30.0 inches or 76.2 centimetres . The Ancient Roman pace ( Latin : passus )

1836-452: The plebs , which granted him entry to the Senate . In 42 BC, Agrippa probably fought alongside Octavian and Antony in the Battle of Philippi . After their return to Rome, he played a major role in Octavian's war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia , respectively the brother and wife of Mark Antony, which began in 41 BC and ended in the capture of Perusia in 40 BC. However, Salvidienus remained Octavian's main general at this time. After

1887-609: The preparations for warfare against Sextus Pompey , who had cut off grain shipments to Rome. Agrippa defeated Pompey in the battles of Mylae and Naulochus in 36 BC. In 33 BC, he served as curule aedile . Agrippa commanded the victorious Octavian's fleet at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. A few years after the victory at Actium, Octavian became emperor and took the title of Princeps, while Agrippa remained as his close friend and lieutenant. Agrippa assisted Augustus in making Rome "a city of marble". Agrippa renovated aqueducts to provide Roman citizens from every social class access to

1938-409: The provincial administration and taxation system, along with building an effective road system and aqueducts. Agrippa's friendship with Augustus seems to have been clouded by the jealousy of Augustus's nephew and son-in-law Marcus Claudius Marcellus . Traditionally it is said that the result of such jealousy was that Agrippa left Rome, ostensibly to take over the governorship of eastern provinces –

1989-536: The result that Salvidienus was prosecuted and either executed or committed suicide. Agrippa was now Octavian's leading general. In 39 or 38 BC, Octavian appointed Agrippa governor of Transalpine Gaul , where in 38 BC he put down a rising of the Aquitanians . He also fought the Germanic tribes , becoming the next Roman general to cross the Rhine after Julius Caesar . He was summoned back to Rome by Octavian to assume

2040-523: The sea on the coasts of Italy, Agrippa's first care was to provide a safe harbour for Octavian's ships. He accomplished this by cutting through the strips of land which separated the Lacus Lucrinus from the sea, thus forming an outer harbour, while joining the lake Avernus to the Lucrinus to serve as an inner harbor. The new harbor-complex was named Portus Julius in Octavian's honour. Agrippa

2091-552: The second Emperor Tiberius ), and was the maternal grandfather of Caligula and the maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero . Agrippa was born c.  63 BC , in an uncertain location. His father was called Lucius Vipsanius . His mother's name is not known and Pliny the Elder claimed that his cognomen " Agrippa " derived from him having been born breech so it is possible that she died in childbirth. Pliny also stated that he suffered from lameness as

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2142-457: The triumvir Lepidus into retirement and entered Rome in triumph. Agrippa received the unprecedented honour of a corona navalis decorated with the beaks of ships; as Dio remarks, this was "a decoration given to nobody before or since". Agrippa participated in smaller military campaigns in 35 and 34 BC, but by the autumn of 34 BC he had returned to Rome. He rapidly set out on a campaign of public repairs and improvements, including renovation of

2193-526: The troops from Macedonia, but Octavius decided to sail to Italy with a small retinue. After his arrival, he learned that Caesar had adopted him as his legal heir. Octavius at this time took Caesar's name, but modern historians refer to him as "Octavian" during this period. After Octavian's return to Rome, he and his supporters realised they needed the support of legions. Agrippa helped Octavian to levy troops in Campania . Once Octavian had his legions, he made

2244-423: Was a Roman general, statesman and architect who was a close friend, son-in-law and lieutenant to the Roman emperor Augustus . Agrippa is well known for his important military victories, notably the Battle of Actium in 31 BC against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra . He was also responsible for the construction of some of the most notable buildings of his era, including the original Pantheon . Born to

2295-410: Was also known as a writer, especially on geography. Under his supervision, Julius Caesar's design of having a complete survey of the empire made was accomplished. From the materials at hand he constructed a circular chart, which was engraved on marble by Augustus and afterwards placed in the colonnade built by his sister Vipsania Polla . Agrippa was also husband to Julia the Elder (who had later married

2346-651: Was also responsible for technological improvements, including larger ships and an improved form of grappling hook . About this time, he married Caecilia Pomponia Attica , daughter of Cicero 's friend Titus Pomponius Atticus . In 36 BC, Octavian and Agrippa set sail against Sextus. The fleet was badly damaged by storms and had to withdraw; Agrippa was left in charge of the second attempt. Thanks to superior technology and training, Agrippa and his men won decisive victories at Mylae and Naulochus , destroying all but seventeen of Sextus' ships and compelling most of his forces to surrender. Octavian, with his power increased, forced

2397-406: Was assassinated. In the course of the year, proconsular imperium , similar to Augustus's power, was conferred upon Agrippa for five years. The exact nature of the grant is uncertain but it probably covered Augustus's imperial provinces , east and west, perhaps lacking authority over the provinces of the Senate. That was to come later, as was the jealously guarded tribunicia potestas , or powers of

2448-437: Was conferred without his having to hold the office. These powers were considerable, giving him veto power over the acts of the Senate or other magistracies, including those of other tribunes, and the power to present laws for approval by the People. Just as important, a tribune's person was sacred, meaning that any person who harmfully touched them or impeded their actions, including political acts, could lawfully be killed. After

2499-536: Was employed in putting down a rising of the Cantabrians in Hispania ( Cantabrian Wars ). In 18 BC, Agrippa's powers were even further increased to almost match those of Augustus. That year his proconsular imperium was augmented to cover the senatorial provinces and was granted tribunicia potestas , or powers of a tribune of the plebeians. As was the case with Augustus, Agrippa's grant of tribunician powers

2550-471: Was notionally the distance of a full stride from the position of one heel where it raised off of the ground to where it set down again at the end of the step: two steps, one by each foot. Under Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa , it was standardized as the distance of two steps ( gradūs ) or five Roman feet ( pedes ), about 1.48 meters or 4 feet 10 inches. One thousand paces were described simply as mille passus or passuum , now known as

2601-551: Was originally from Pisa in Etruria . Agrippa's family most likely gained Roman citizenship after the Social War in 87 BC and, like many other Italians, immigrated to Rome to take advantage of the social mobility opportunities that arose at the war's end. Agrippa was the same age as Octavian (the future emperor Augustus ), and the two were educated together and became close friends. Despite Agrippa's association with

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