Britannicus
Quick Summary
Britannicus was the son of Roman Emperor Claudius I and his wife Valeria Messalina. He was the rightful heir to the throne, but his claim was set aside when Claudius married Agrippina the Younger. Agrippina poisoned Claudius and then had Britannicus poisoned in 55 CE to secure the succession for her own son, Nero.12
Nero, who succeeded Claudius, was a Roman emperor known for his extravagance and cruelty. He is infamous for allegedly starting the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE and persecuting Christians. The play Britannicus by Jean Racine dramatizes the political intrigue surrounding Nero and his half-brother.34
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
