Home > Agrippina the younger

She was first married in 28 to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. From this marriage she gave birth to Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who would become Roman EmperorRoman Emperor is the title historians use to refer to the ruler of the Roman Empire. It was not actually used, and there was never actually any single office corresponding to it. Rather, the title "Roman Emperor" is a convenient shorthand for a complicate Nero. Her husband died in JanuaryJanuary is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and has 31 days. It is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. The original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months (304 days). The Romans originally considered winter a monthle, 40For alternate uses, see Number 40. Events Christianity comes to Egypt as a church is founded in Alexandria. Mark the Evangelist founds the Coptic Orthodox Church as the first pope. Caligula embarks on a campaign to conquer Britain. German tribe Quadi begi. While still married, she participated openly in her brother Caligula's decadent court, where at his instigation she prostituted herself in a palace brothel. Increasingly embarassed by her behaviour, Caligula sent her into exile for a time, where it is said she was forced to dive for sponges to make a living. In JanuaryJanuary is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and has 31 days. It is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. The original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months (304 days). The Romans originally considered winter a monthle, 41For alternate uses, see Number 41. Events January 24 Claudius succeeds his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor. Claudius makes Agrippa king of Judea. Messalina, wife of Claudius, persuaded Claudius to have Seneca the Younger banished to Corsica on a charge o, Agrippina had a second marriage to the affluent Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus . He died between 44For alternate uses, see Number 44. Events Emperor Claudius returns from his British campaign in triumph. Births Deaths Saint James the Great (martyrdom) Agrippa I of Judea Claudia Julia, executed niece of Claudius and Messalina (or 43/ 45). and 47Alternate uses, see Number 47 Centuries: 1st century BC 1st century 2nd century Decades: 0s BC 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s Years: 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 Events Romans build a fortification that will later grow out to be the city of Ut, leaving his estate to his wife. Agrippina was reportedly suspected to have poisoned him.

As a widow, she wooed her uncle, Emperor Claudius and became his favourite councillor. They were married on New Years day of 49 AD, after the death of Messalina. She then proceeded to persuade Claudius to adopt her son, thereby placing him in the line of succession to the Imperial throne. Later in his life, Claudius is reported to often repent these decisions in public. Her star was beginning to fade. But Agrippina was a true Imperial politician that did not reject murder as a way to win her battles. She is believed to have poisoned Claudius in 54 AD, and thus making Nero emperor.

For some time, Agrippina influenced Nero, her son, as she had controlled her deceased husband. But soon Nero was fed up with her constant criticizing. He deprived her of her honours and exiled her from the palace, but that wasn't enough. Three times he tried to poison her, but she had been raised in the Imperial family and was accustomed to take antidotes. Then he built a machine attached to the roof of her bedroom, destined to make the ceiling collapse – the plot failed. According to the historians Tacitus and Suetonius, Nero then plotted her death by sending for her in a boat designed to collapse, drowning her. However, only some of the crew were in on the plot and their efforts were hampered by the rest of the crew trying to save the ship. As it went down one of her handmaidens thought to save herself by crying that she was Agrippina, thinking they would take special care of her. Instead the maid was instantly beaten to death with oars and chains. The real Agrippina realised then what was happening and in the confusion managed to swim away where a passing fisherman picked her up. Terrified that his cover had been blown, Nero instantly sent men to charge her with treason and summarily execute her. Legend states that when the Emperor's soldiers came to kill her, Agrippina pulled back her clothes and ordered them to stab her in the belly that had housed such a monstrous son.

See also: Julio-Claudian Family Tree