Agrippina the Younger

Also known as: Agrippina · Family: Julio-Claudian · Role: daughter of Germanicus · First appears: Caligula 7

Agrippina was one of the three daughters of Germanicus, alongside Drusilla and Livilla, and a sister of Caligula, Nero Caesar, and Drusus Caesar. When Caligula was asked to name the child who would later become Nero, he offered his own name in jest, an answer Agrippina treated with contempt.

After the senate authorized their marriage, Claudius married Agrippina in less than twenty-four hours. Though she was his niece, their close relationship admitted kisses and endearments, and while considering the marriage he called her “My daughter, my nursling, born and brought up upon my lap.” Toward the end of his life, Claudius showed regret over marrying Agrippina and adopting Nero; she prevented him from proceeding further with his will, and was said by some to have killed him at his table with mushrooms.

Agrippina had Nero by Domitius, whose death left her a widow. After her banishment, Nero lived with Lepida in hardship; after her recall, he gained exceptional favour with Claudius. Agrippina later held great sway over her son and hated the friends of the dead Narcissus; Galba refused to marry her despite her attempts to attract him. An incestuous passion between Agrippina and Nero was widely believed, and her death was alluded to in Datus’s performance.