Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics Agrippina
Feb 18, 2020
Dive into the powerful world of Agrippina the Younger, a formidable figure in Ancient Rome. Explore her incredible family ties, from Emperor Augustus to her son, Nero. Discover how she wielded financial prowess to shape the Empire and survived an assassination attempt involving a collapsible boat. The podcast critiques historical biases against ambitious women while examining Agrippina's ruthless strategies and complex relationship with Nero. It also draws intriguing parallels between her life and portrayals of maternal figures in 1960s cinema.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Agrippina's Powerful Connections and Omens
- Agrippina the Younger was deeply connected to the Julio-Claudian dynasty through many imperial relatives.
- A double canine tooth on her right side was seen as a lucky omen favoring her for greatness.
Claudius' Mushroom Poisoning Plot
- Claudius was allegedly poisoned by a large, succulent mushroom with diluted poison so he got sick but didn't die immediately.
- A doctor’s feather dipped in poison helped Claudius die, showing a clever murder plot.
Agrippina's Real Political Power
- Agrippina wielded real power evidenced by her influence over key figures managing finances and military.
- She was skilled with money, managing the empire’s purse strings alongside her ally Pallas.