Describe Agrippina’s rise to prominence.
“Agrippina was born to power and also to its shadow” Leadbetter. Julia Vispania Agrippina was born in 15AD. She was the great granddaughter of divine Augustus. Her grandmother was Julia, who like Agrippina conspired to instate her son as principate. Among her sibling was Emperor Caligula, another impressive name on her pedigree. Agrippina also had a son who soon became Emperor Nero after she married her uncle Claudius in 49AD. Through her family connections Agrippina had great influence and status; her family established the principate. “Agrippina’s exceptionally illustrious birth is indisputable.” –Tacitus and this can explain her rise to prominence.
However, at the very young age of 13 she got married to Ahenobarbus, “a man who was in every aspect of his life utterly detestable” Suetonius. He was linked to the family through Augustus’s sister Octavia. Ahenobarbus was wealthy and had political connections, providing an opportunity for Agrippina to build a support base. Agrippina and Ahenobarbus together had a child; Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus also know as Emperor Nero. He gave her protection from Tiberius and protected her from the fate of her family as her age was in her favour. Through Ahenobarbus she was seen prominent as her social status began to rise.