6. Agrippina the Younger was just as ruthless as her male relatives and her lovers, helping her stay at the very top of Roman society for decades
Agrippina the Younger wasn’t just one of the most influential people in the Julian-Claudian dynasty than dominated Ancient Rome in the 1st century AD. She was also one of its most infamous. Indeed, while the cruelty and perversions of Tiberius and Caligula may be better-known, she was every bit as cunning and ruthless as the men. She was born into Roman royalty – and intended to stay at the top, whatever it took. For many years, she succeeded in her goal. In fact, when it came to negotiating power and rivalries in Ancient Rome, there was probably nobody better than Agrippina the Younger.
Born into Roman royalty in the year 15 (though she was not technically a ‘princess’ since Rome had long since got rid of its old kings), she married at just 13. A few years later, her brother, Tiberius, became Emperor. He quickly went mad, and Agrippina tried, and failed, to have him assassinated. However, marriage to Claudius in 49 once again made her one of the most powerful people in Rome. She convinced Claudius to adopt her son, Lucius. When the Emperor died – possibly killed by Agrippina herself – that son became Emperor Nero. Whether Nero then had his own mother killed is debatable. Either way, she was soon exiled and died in the year 57.