Once Agrippina married Claudius, she quickly became the power behind the throne. She maneuvered politically and eliminated any threats to her son’s claim to the throne. Through her influence over Claudius, she arranged for Nero to be adopted by him, making him the heir to the empire. Meanwhile, Britannicus, who was Claudius’ natural son, was sidelined and eventually died under suspicious circumstances, likely orchestrated by Agrippina to ensure Nero's ascension.

Agrippina’s dominance was not confined to her family; she also wielded significant influence over the senate and military. Her political savvy enabled her to secure crucial support from the elite of Rome, and she was known to be highly involved in decision-making at all levels of governance. Despite her immense power, Agrippina’s relationship with Claudius began to deteriorate, partly due to her growing dominance in court. Claudius, possibly under the influence of those around him, began to grow suspicious of Agrippina’s ambitions.

The Assassination of Claudius

In 54 AD, Claudius died under mysterious circumstances, and while it was widely rumored that Agrippina had orchestrated his death, there is no definitive proof that she was directly responsible. What is clear, however, is that her son Nero ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome, a position that Agrippina had worked tirelessly to secure. Nero’s rise to power was not only the fulfillment of Agrippina’s ambitions but also the beginning of her struggle to retain control over the empire.

Initially, Agrippina served as the effective ruler of the empire, with Nero serving as a figurehead. However, her control over Nero quickly began to slip as he grew older and more independent. The young emperor became increasingly influenced by his advisors, such as the philosopher Seneca and the prefect Burrus, who helped him distance himself from his mother’s influence. shutdown123