1. Who supported Agrippina as a possible wife for Claudius? The main supporter for Claudius marrying Agrippina was Pallas. His advice was that Claudius should marry Agrippina for the reason that Domitius was the grandson to Claudius's brother Germanicus and that by marrying Agrippina; Claudius would ally the Julian and Claudian families. BenMarshall2011

2. Who supported Agrippina as a possible wife for Claudius? Pallas – a secretary of Claudius, supported Agrippina as a potential new wife for Claudius. His support was motivated by his intention to reunite the Julian and Claudian families. Furthermore he wanted to prevent Agrippina from claiming future power to the throne through marriage to another family; “Pallas, in his eulogy of Agrippina, insisted on the point that she brought with her the grandson of Germanicus, who fully deserved an imperial position: let the sovereign unite to himself a famous stock, the posterity of the Julian and Claudian races, and ensure that a princess of tried fecundity, still in the vigour of youth, should not transfer the glory of the Caesars into another family!” (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, 2). MandyVuong2011

3. Explain how the difficulties facing the marriage of Claudius and Agrippina were overcome? “The relationship between Claudius and Agrippina was highly discouraged, as both were closely related. (He was her uncle) As this was illegal, the laws were changed to allow for their marriage, as Agrippina was a high class woman and as Claudius was in need of a wife he changed the laws. Claudius met the senate, requesting a decree legalizing the marriage of uncle and niece. He was only met by one other in favor of this, Alledius Severus, who Tacitus says did it for the favor of Agrippina.” NicolaBucklerJones

4. Explain how the difficulties facing the marriage of Claudius and Agrippina were overcome? The difficulties that Agrippina and Claudius faced were that they were related. That Agrippina was Claudius’s niece. This was overcome when Claudius “entered the senate, and requested a decree legitimizing for the future also the union of uncles with their brothers' daughters.” (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, 7) NicolaBucklerJones

5. How does Tacitus describe Agrippina’s character? “Tacitus describes Agrippina as ‘Fierce in her hatred’ (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, Section 22). This means, if Agrippina disliked or disagreed with someone then she would do whatever possible to ‘get them out of the way’. She would even resort to assassination or exile. She would go to extreme lengths to carry out her plans or show others she was capable. It was said that Agrippina wanted to feel dignified, and she placed a large importance on achieving this.” LaurenBland2011

6. How does Tacitus describe Agrippina’s character? Tacitus depicts Agrippina as a ruthlessly determined and ambitious woman who was “fierce in her hatred” (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, [section: 22]).Agrippina is also portrayed as being motivated by power “there was no trace of unchastity, unless it might contribute to power” (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, [section: 7]). She is seen to be a vicious woman who would resort to any means in achieving her goals. JackHerring2011

7. How did Agrippina arrange for her son’s adoption by Claudius in AD 50? Who assisted her in her plans? Agrippina arranged the adoption of her son (Nero) during the consulate of Gaius Antistius and Marcus Suillius. She was assisted by Pallas (the same Pallas who assisted her in marrying Claudius) and he pestered Claudius until he acceded. The emperor yielded to the pressure, and gave Domitius, with his three years' seniority, precedence over his son, reproducing in his speech to the senate the arguments furnished by his freedman. (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12 [25]) Skarlet-Pumpernickel

8. What were the implications of Claudius’s adoption of Nero? The implications of this arrangement are that Nero now takes precedence over Claudius’s own son as the next heir to the throne. (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 12, 25) JoshuaCoxhead

9. What were the implications of Claudius’s adoption of Nero? The implications of this were that Agrippina’s son was first in the line for emperorship and this also gave Agrippina a lot of political power, which she used. This eventually resulted in, when Claudius ‘died’ (indications of foul play, most likely of Agrippina’s doing) in 54, Nero was the sole candidate considered for the role of Emperor, Britannicus didn’t even rank a mention. BrodieWorden2011

10. Give two examples of Agrippina’s increased status? Amongst the increases in Agrippina’s standing was the name she received Augusta the feminine version of Augustus. A second honour bestowed upon Agrippina when a colony was named in her honour near her home town. TefWaaka

11. According to Tacitus, how did Agrippina murder Claudius? Tacitus states that Agrippina had been planning to murder Clauidus: “Agrippina - long resolved on murder” (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 13, 66) and her chosen method of murder was poison. With the assistance of an accused poisoner and Claudius’ food servant Agrippina posioned Claudius (Tacitus, The Annals, Book 13, 66). JackHerring2011

12. How was Agrippina’s position undermined from the beginning of Nero’s reign?

13. To what methods did Agrippina resort in order to maintain her supremacy?

14. Describe how Agrippina’s death was arranged.

15. What were the alleged crimes of Agrippina that Nero used to justify her murder?