Fulvia was one of the Damned which Dante must punish or absolve for "The Damned" achievement/trophy. She was encountered in the circle of Greed.
Description
"One time wife of Marc Antony, possessed by an unbearable greed. Called the Greediest Woman in all of Rome, she pursued any opportunity to seize power."
Background
Fulvia was born as the daughter of a member of the plebeian class (the lower classes of Roman society), though her family was well-known and respected among them. She married three times. Her first husband was Publius Clodius Pulcher, with whom she had one daughter and one son. A gifted, but controversial politician and an enemy of the rhetorician Cicero, Clodius was later ambushed and murdered by a political rival. Devoted to this husband, Fulvia publicly mourned his death and testified in court against his murderer, who was exiled for the crime. Despite Clodius's death, his power and personal martial forces were retained by Fulvia as his widow.
Fulvia's next husband was another wealthy plebeian, Gaius Scribonius Curio, with whom she had a son. Curio was a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar and popular among the citizens of Rome. His wife's renown brought more prestige to his own standing. However, while on campaign with Caesar Curio was killed in battle, making Fulvia a widow once more and more wealthy than ever.
Fulvia's final husband was the general Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony), Caesar's supporter and friend, with whom she had two sons. The couple's power continued to grow after Caesar's assassination. They cowed the Senate into allowing them to support any laws that they saw fit. However, Fulvia soon became involved in proscriptions abroad, the motive of which was to destroy enemies and take their money.
Cicero, the former enemy of Fulvia's first husband, frequently attacked the couple, publicly claiming that they were lovers before their marriage and that Antony married her for her wealth and power. While Antony was away from Rome with the members of the Triumvirate, Cicero even went as far as to try having the general declared an enemy of Rome. In retaliation, Antony added him to the proscription list and had the orator hunted down. The unresisting Cicero was executed, and his head was brought back as a trophy. The gleeful Fulvia then stabbed her golden hairpins through the dead man's tongue for its use against her and her family. However, upon being sent east Anthony began an affair with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII and did not return to Fulvia.
Fulvia's daughter, Clodia Pulchra, was married to Octavian, the heir and nephew of Caesar, but he later divorced Clodia and accused Fulvia of being power-hungry. Offended, Fulvia and her brother-in-law raised an army against Octavian, starting a civil war in Italy. She was defeated and fled to Greece with her children, where she died from illness.
Dialogue
"Why do I hoard why do you squander?"
"I wont be married to any man who doesn't have great ambition..."
"If you want to advance your pollical career, husband, then listen to me..."
"Offer our daughter, Clodia, to Emperor Octavian as his wife."
"Marcus Cicero's hateful rhetoric must be stopped."
"Julius Caesar is dead. It is our time, Marc Antony!"
"Husband, slaughter your enemies. Star with Marcus Cicero!"
"After he is dead, display his head and hands in the Forum."
"I will publicly stab Cicero's tongue with my hairpins..."
"I'm not involved with politics at all..."
"I'm a harmless woman!"
*Absolved by Dante* "Glory be to God!"
"No! Please! I'll make you a-" *Slain by Dante*
Trivia
- Fulvia's husband Marc Antony and her sister-in-law Clodia are also found in Hell. Marc Antony is placed in the Circle of Lust with his lover Cleopatra, and is one of the bosses Dante must fight. Clodia is condemned to the Circle of Gluttony as one of the damned.
- Fulvia can be heard mentioning Clodia before Dante interacts with her. This is one of the few times a condemned soul references another, the other being Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Polenta.