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Hilary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Margaret Thatcher, Indira Ghandi and Julia Agrippina may have certain things in common.

The 'beautiful' Julia Agrippina,  was the sister of the Emperor Caligula, niece and fourth wife of the Emperor Claudius, and mother of the Emperor Nero.


Peter O’Toole (right) as Tiberius

Julia Agrippina's father was a general, called Germanicus.

Tiberius was persuaded to adopt his nephew Germanicus, and make him his heir.

Reportedly Tiberius then arranged the murder of Germanicus.

Tiberius arranged for 13-year-old Julia Agrippina to marry her second cousin Domitius, "a man who was in every aspect of his life detestable."



Tiberius spent most of the later years of his reign as emperor on the island of Capri.

He is said to have had 'a special penchant for his spintriae (groups of young boys), with whom he surrounded himself and indulged in all manner of promiscuous behaviour.' 

The walls of his bedrooms at Capri are reported to have been decorated with various sexual acts and positions 'in case a performer should need an illustration of what [is] required'

When Caligula became emperor, his sister Julia Agrippina had some influence.

Caligula and his sisters were accused of having incestuous sex.

Julia Agrippina was involved in a failed plot, with her 'lover' Lepidus, to murder Caligula.

Julia Agrippina was exiled.

Caligula was then murdered and Claudius became Emperor.

Claudius played by Derek Jacobi

Julia Agrippina married Gaius Sallustius Crispus Passienus.

Reportedly, he was poisoned by Julia Agrippina.

He left his estate to Julia Agrippina's son Nero.



Emperor Claudius was married to Messalina.

Messalina was executed for plotting to overthrow Claudius.


Agripinna, played by Fiona Walker

Julia Agrippina now married her uncle, the Emperor Claudius.

Julia Agrippina quickly arranged the death of her rival Lollia Paulina.

Julia Agrippina next arranged the death of Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus, who had wanted to marry the daughter of Claudius.



Julia Agrippina later arranged the death of the brother of Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus

Julia Agrippina then eliminated a number of others including relations of Messalina.

Julia Agrippina took control of the Praetorian Guard, by making changes to its staff.

Emperor Claudius was persuaded to name Julia Agrippina's son, Nero, as his successor.


Britannicus

Messalina's son was Britannicus.

Agrippina ordered the execution of Britannicus's tutor.

Claudius began to fall out with Julia Agrippina and began preparing Britannicus for the throne.

Reportedly, Julia Agrippina then poisoned Claudius with a plate of deadly mushrooms


Nero (right) kristinagehrmann.tumblr.com

Nero became Emperor.

Nero's reported sexual activities ranged from being seduced by his mother Agrippina to forcing his unwanted attentions on married women and boys. 

He took two homosexual lovers, Pythagoras and Sporus, in 'marriage'. 

"Nero is said to have behaved as the wife to Pythagoras and husband to Sporus, whom he had castrated. 

"Taken together with his 'artistic' performances when he would often take on a female part and dress accordingly, Nero's behaviour scandalised Rome and played an important part in his downfall."


Agrippina crowning her son Nero 

Nero began a sexual affair with a former slave woman.

Julia Agrippina began to support Britannicus.

Nero had Britannicus murdered.

Julia Agrippina was expelled from the royal palace.

Julia Agrippina died in mysterious circumstances, reportedly killed by Nero's assassins.