Fulvia's birth into an important political dynasty facilitated her relationships and, later on, marriages to Publius Clodius Pulcher, Gaius Scribonius Curio, and Mark Antony.

[2] All of these men would go on to lead increasingly promising political careers as populares, tribunes, and supporters of Julius Caesar.

As a result, Fulvia may have also represented the last of both the Fulvii and the Sempronii families, which meant she was likely an heiress of extreme worth and value.

Her maternal grandfather was Sempronius Tuditanus, who was described by Cicero as a madman, who liked to throw his money to the people from the Rostra.

In 52 BC, Clodius ran for praetor; his political competition with a consular candidate and rival, Titus Annius Milo, escalated to violence.

[11][16] Fulvia therefore actively inserted herself into the political atmosphere that followed the death of her first husband, as a "visible symbol and reminder of his presence.

"[4][17][18] With Pompey's seizure of power in Rome, he militarily forced out any remaining supporters of the late Clodius, including captains and tribunes; actions that prompted Fulvia to uphold her late husband's legacy alone within the city, taking advantage of every opportunity that allowed her to extend her influence and political prestige.

Fulvia most likely married her second husband, Gaius Scribonius Curio, soon after his return from Asia and her mourning period had passed.

Curio died in 49 BC, killed during the Battle of the Bagradas in North Africa, fighting for Julius Caesar against King Juba I of Numidia.

Marriage to her would provide an important tie to Clodius and his clientela, and could offer a husband money and political organization.

She was the brains behind many of his policies, such as the decision to give Sicilians Roman citizenship, as well as to confirm Deiotarus in his kingdom, and she was a very persuasive campaigner for her husband.

[32] Fulvia's legacy does not only illustrate her personal agency but also reflects her battle against traditional gender roles in Roman society.

Fulvia, as the wife of Marc Anthony held a large amount of political power and famously appeared on coins minted during her husband's campaign.

These coins show Fulvia as a symbol of loyalty and power which underscores her unique position as a woman engaged in the political sphere.

[36] Antony formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian, the future emperor Augustus, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in 43 BC and began to conduct proscriptions.

To solidify the political alliance and to advance Clodian interests, Fulvia's daughter Claudia was married to the young Octavian.

Appian and Cassius Dio describe Fulvia as being involved in the violent proscriptions that were used to destroy enemies and gain badly needed funds to secure control of Rome.

[37][38] Antony pursued his political enemies, especially Cicero, who had openly criticized him for abusing his powers as consul after Caesar's assassination.

In 42 BC, Antony and Octavian left Rome to pursue Julius Caesar's assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus.

She, the mother-in‑law of Octavian and wife of Antony, had no respect for Lepidus because of his slothfulness, and managed affairs herself, so that neither the senate nor the people transacted any business contrary to her pleasure.

Together with Lucius Antonius, Fulvia raised eight legions in Italy to fight for Antony's rights against Octavian, an event known as the Perusine War.

The army occupied Rome for a short time, and Lucius organized his troops at Praeneste, but eventually retreated to Perusia (modern Perugia), where Octavian besieged him.

It is recorded by Martial within one of his own poems:[50] - Caesaris Augusti lascivos, livide, versus sex lege, qui tristis verba Latina legis: "Quod futuit Glaphyran Antonius, hanc mihi poenam Fulvia constituit, se quoque uti futuam.

[52] The fact that her name is written on bullets shaped like a penis tip points to the idea that she embodies masculine characteristics and is being thus ridiculed.

Antony then sailed back to Rome to deal with Octavian, and Fulvia died of an unknown illness in exile in Sicyon, near Corinth, Achaea.