Overview
Agrippina the Younger was an extremely influential woman who controlled many Roman Emperors through her intimate relationships with them. She was the sister of Emperor Caligula, wife of Claudius and mother of Nero. She was a manipulative and power hungry woman and used her sexuality and her web of political alliances to consolidate and exercise her power. Her incestuous relationship with Caligula proved to be beneficial for a time, as was her scandalous relationship with her uncle Claudius. She faced many setbacks and challenges throughout the course of her life, however she managed to overcome these with great cunning. She manipulated Claudius and was able to have him overturn the laws on marriage and guarantee her son would be heir to the throne. Agrippina was prepared to go to any lengths to increase and maintain her power. She removed Nero’s biggest rival and competition for Emperor, Britannicus, and was also rumoured to be involved in the death of her husband Claudius. She even successfully maintained control of her son Nero whilst he was Emperor for a period of time, however her dominant nature would eventually lead to her demise. She was afforded many titles and honours that were bestowed upon her, which was a testimony to the power she held, a remarkable achievement for a woman in the ancient world.