However, when Augustus became ill, near death in fact, he had to name a successor. Livia was called in to nurse him. Augustus did name his successor, but to the surprise of most, he named Agrippa. Then he miraculously regained his strength, with the "help" of Livia.

When Marcellus falls sick (also in 23BC), Livia once again acts as nurse, except this time the patient, Marcellus, dies. Dio clearly implicates Livia in the death. So, the fantastic rivalry between Agrippa and Marcellus was not only historically accurate, it was also warranted. Livia, of course, actually wants her own dork of a son to follow after Augustus, and thinks that it would help the cause if Tiberius marries Julia. Julia does not marry Tiberius, although she will some years later, but instead is given to Agrippa for returning to Rome.