On 11th February 55 AD Britannicus was murdered. I recently posted about the murder of Emperor Commodus, but it’s never too soon for another grisly Roman murder. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, commonly known as Britannicus, was the son of the Roman Emperor Claudius and his third wife, Valeria Messalina. Born on February 12, 41 AD, he was the legitimate heir to the imperial throne, yet his life was overshadowed by political machinations, betrayal, and ultimately, an untimely death. His story is one of intrigue and lost potential, as he was supplanted by his stepbrother, Nero, and murdered before he could ever rule.
Britannicus was born just months after his father, Claudius, became emperor following the assassination of Caligula. His birth was a moment of celebration in Rome, as he was seen as the natural successor to the imperial throne. Claudius, a ruler who had ascended to power unexpectedly, sought to secure his dynasty through his young son. In honour of Claudius’ conquests in Britain, the infant was given the name Britannicus, symbolizing the emperor’s military achievements.
However, his life took a tragic turn with the downfall of his mother. Messalina, infamous for her alleged promiscuity and political ambition, was executed in 48 AD after being accused of conspiring against Claudius. With her death, Britannicus was left vulnerable, as he no longer had his mother’s influence to protect him. This vulnerability became even more pronounced when Claudius married Agrippina the Younger in 49 AD.
Agrippina, a cunning and ambitious woman, was determined to secure power for her own son, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, later known as Nero. Although Britannicus was the rightful heir, Agrippina manipulated Claudius into adopting Nero in 50 AD. From that point on, Nero was presented as the next emperor. Claudius increasingly favored his adopted son, giving him prominent roles in government while Britannicus was sidelined.
Agrippina ensured that Britannicus was kept under strict surveillance, isolating him from potential allies. His education was controlled, and those who supported him were removed from court. In 54 AD, when Britannicus was just 13 years old, his fate was sealed. Claudius died, allegedly poisoned by Agrippina, allowing Nero to ascend the throne. Though Britannicus was still alive, he was in grave danger, as he was the only remaining obstacle to Nero’s absolute rule.
For a brief time, Britannicus remained in the imperial palace, but his position was precarious. He was set to come of age in 55 AD, at which point he could legally claim the throne. This posed a direct threat to Nero, who, despite his adoption, was not a natural-born son of Claudius. Nero wasted no time in eliminating his rival.
According to the Roman historian Tacitus, Nero arranged for Britannicus to be poisoned during a banquet. The poison was initially tested in small doses to ensure its effectiveness, and when the moment came, it was mixed into his drink. As Britannicus took a sip, he collapsed instantly, convulsing in full view of the guests. Nero dismissed the incident, claiming it was merely an epileptic fit. The next day, Britannicus’ body was hastily buried in the dead of night, without the usual imperial honors.
The tragic fate of Britannicus exemplifies the ruthless nature of Roman politics. Had he survived, Rome’s history might have taken a very different course. Some historians speculate that he could have been a more stable ruler than Nero, whose reign ended in tyranny and chaos.