Coming of Age in the Late Republic

Abstract This chapter contextualizes and explores Octavia’s early years. It summarizes the major historical events that preceded her birth, including the civil war between Romans and their Italian allies, as well as Sulla’s dictatorship and proscriptions. These set the stage for later civic conflicts. Octavia’s paternal line was one of many marrying into the Roman elite in this period. The chapter imagines the scope of her education and socialization within this context, including literature, legends, religious rituals, and landmarks that honor elite women’s networking skills, fiscal management, and loyalty—often but not only in sexual terms. Cornelia and Claudia Quinta are explored as role models. The chapter also describes the ideal of educated motherhood under development in this period, which probably led Octavia to a high level of education in Greek and Roman literature. All of this prepared her for her marriage into the consular Metellus family sometime in her teens.