Agrippina the Younger
Bust of Agrippina the Younger (c. 15-59 CE), daughter of Germanicus – an excellent Roman general and Agrippina the Elder – an energetic and brave woman. Wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Nero.
Agrippina was the fourth wife of Claudius. All previous relationships have not been successful; especially the last marriage to Messalina broke mentally the emperor. After Messalina’s death, the emperor did not think about remarrying. However, at the urging of his subordinates, Claudius changed his position. Ultimately, Agrippina was chosen, probably for political reasons and under pressure from the senate. Tacitus and Suetonius argued that Agrippina simply seduced Claudius and had a great influence on him from the beginning.
It was probably her initiative to have Claudius poisoned, thanks to what her son took the throne, not Claudius’ birth son – Britannicus. Agrippina’s strong position gradually disturbed Nero, who ordered to kill his mother.
