CHAPTER SUMMARIES
*highlighted are what came up in 2025
Themes:
*highlighted themes are relevant to the 2025 essay question – red being the
most relevant - but are still worth revising
Appearance vs Reality
Characterisation
Deceit & Trust
Gender Roles
Historical Writing
Immorality
(Autocracy &) Leadership
Paranoia
Power & Corruption
Relationships
*highlighted are the chapters that came up – really make sure you’re confident in
translating all selected chapters in XII & XIV!!!
12.25 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Historical
Writing, Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Domitius and Agrippina are adopted into Julio-
Augustan family, courtesy of the negotiations of Pallas, during reign of
Claudius. Domitius is first to be adopted in the Claudii & favoured over
Britannicus - Claudius' legitimate son. Historians comment that such an
adoption has not been made in Julian-Claudian family since its founder -
Attus Clausus.
12.26 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Historical Writing,
Appearance vs Reality, Relationships) ⇒ Domitius is named Nero in
recognition of him within in the family and in line to be heir. Agrippina
becomes Augusta after the wife of Augustus (Octavius). Britannicus is
gradually abandoned by all and is ridiculed by his step-mother but is
allegedly cognizant of his mistreatment, but is powerless to retaliate.
12.41 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Deceit & Trust,
Relationships, Leadership) ⇒ Senate convince Claudius to permit Nero to
be consul once 20, have pro-consular command outside Rome & appointed
'Prince of the Youth.' Circus Games raise public favour for Nero to be heir.
Nero dressed maturely like emperor; step-brother is dressed in dull boyish
clothing. Britannicus greets Nero as Domitius, triggering Agrippina to
complain to Claudius, stripping away former's chances at success further.
12.42 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Deceit &
Trust, Leadership, Historical Writing) ⇒ Agrippina convinces husband to
, replace 2 commanders of Praetorian Guard with Burrus Afranius whom is
faithful to her. She puts on spectacles to augment public image, i.e. riding
in on a chariot, performing traditionally masculine rituals - she is
subverting status quo as woman. She sentences, via Claudius, the senator,
Junius Lupus, after he accuses her associate Vitellius of treason.
12.43 (Characterisation, Autocracy & Leadership, Relationships, Historical
Writing) ⇒ Omens occur which lead to a mob assailing Claudius in the
forum who was attempting to dispense justice & handle situation himself.
Had to be saved by group of militants, showcasing his ineffective rulership.
Rome must rely on imports from other countries & gods/fate for food and
survival unlike in its glory days of agricultural excellence.
12.52 (Autocracy & Leadership, Historical Writing, Power & Corruption,
Appearance vs Reality) ⇒ Man is exiled for consulting astrologers
(Chaldeans) about death of Claudius but then dies in exile despite the
flaunted mercy the emperor had for his family. Astrologers expelled from
Italy which has little to no effect, and Senate are encouraged to step down
from their imperium - a ploy set up by Agrippina.
12.53 (Characterisation, Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption,
Deceit & Truth)⇒ Pallas passes law for women sexually involved with
slaves, especially without their slave owner husband's consent, to be
socially regarded as slaves themselves. Pallas is declared a genius,
humble for one with royal heritage to Arcadian kings but comes into
wealth, extolled by Claudius.
12.56 (Power & Corruption, Appearance vs Reality) ⇒ Power of emperor
emphasised by great engineering feat through a staged naval battle
involving convicts & small boats inspired by that of Augustus. Spectators
from across the country populate the land surrounding the lake to admire
the show & pay respect to Claudius who, with his wife, are dressed for the
occasion.
12.57 (Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Deceit &
Trust) ⇒ There are clearly faults in the engineering which are fixed in an
interval, losing public interest. To bring back the crowd, a gladiatorial show
is held but the repairs had faults as well so the emperor's banquet is swept
away. Agrippina & Claudius blame Narcissus for sabotage.
12.58 ⇒ 16 year-old Nero is married to step-sister Octavia & gains favour
with people of Ilium, Bononians, Rhodians, & people of Apamea through
recalling his relation to Aeneas via Julian bloodline, all people who had
experienced disasters.
12.59 (Characterisation, Immorality, Power & Corruption, Deceit & Trust)
⇒ Agrippina desires gardens of wealthy Statilius Taurus, pro-consul of
Africa. He is accused of magical and superstitious practices by Tarquitius
Priscus which leads him to commit suicide. Priscus is then expelled from
the Senate, despised by the other senators.
, 12.64 ⇒ Many portents occur signifying Claudius' imminent doom.
Domitia Lepida, her first cousin removed, threatened Agrippina's influence
over Nero.
o The military camps being set ablaze alludes to the end of his role as
imperator over the military; the swarm of bees occupying the
Capitoline temple alludes to the threat to his role as pontifex
maximus (high priest); the conjoined births allude to his incestuous
marriage; and the deaths in each of the magistracies allude to his
scheduled death following the order of the cursus honorum.
12.65 (Paranoia, Power & Corruption, Gender Roles, Relationships) ⇒
Domitia Lepida killed on order of Agrippina, with accusations of witchcraft
and disturbance of the peace in Italy. Narcissus opposed this & suspects
Agrippina more but is in turmoil - he is doomed regardless of which boy
becomes emperor.
o He reflects on past scandals (Messalina & Silius) & warns that Nero’s
succession would bring similar dangers, comparing Agrippina's
immorality to that of Messalina, accusing her of being the lover of
Pallas.
o If Britannicus became emperor, Claudius would be safe.
o Narcissus embraces Britannicus, praying to the gods & to
Britannicus urging him to grow strong, defeat his father’s enemies &
avenge Messalina
12.66 (Characterisation, Immorality, Gender Roles, Appearance & Reality,
Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Narcissus, overcome by stress & anxiety, becomes ill &
retreats to Sinuessa to recover. Agrippina is opportunistic & finalises the
long-awaited regicide, debating on the best poison. She enlists Locusta, a
notorious poisoner, to prep the poison to be administered by Halotus,
Claudius’s eunuch & food-taster at dinner.
o A quick poison would be too obvious.
o A slow poison risks Claudius realising the plot & reconciling with
Britannicus.
o A subtle, confusing poison would cloud Claudius’s mind and delay
death.
12.67 (Historical Writing, Immorality, Characterisation, Power &
Corruption, Paranoia, Appearance vs Reality, Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Poison was
reported by historical authors to be smeared on a mushroom - effects
weren’t instant, due to Claudius’s confusion/intoxication. Terrified plan
failed & of potential consequences, Agrippina involved Dr Xenophon,
already recruited prior, who uses a feather coated in fast-acting poison, as
though inducing vomiting for relief.
o Tacitus comments such bold crimes begin with risk but are carried
through by promised reward.
, 12.68 (Deceit & Trust, Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption,
Relationships, Characterisation, Paranoia)⇒ Senate, consuls & priests
publicly express hope for his recovery, unaware or pretending not to know
he is already dead. Agrippina was working to secure Nero’s succession:
o Feigns grief & affection toward Britannicus, calling him the image of
his father & detained Britannicus in his room as well as his sisters,
Octavia & Antonia, guarded.
o Spread false rumours: Claudius was recovering to appease military
& buy time until astrologers (Chaldeans) signalled when to declare
Nero emperor.
12.69 (Historical Writing, Characterisation, Power & Corruption,
Leadership & Autocracy, Relationships) ⇒ Midday 13th October: Nero
emerged from palace with Burrus & presented himself to the praetorian
guard on duty. With Burrus’s guidance, supportive troops placed him on
litter (ceremonial portable couch). Some asked for Britannicus, but
followed Nero. In military camp: he made speech & vowed donative
(monetary gift) so deigned emperor. Senate & provinces readily accepted
this outcome. Claudius was deified & funeral matched splendour of
Augustus’s but will was not read aloud, to avoid public unrest over Nero
(stepson) favoured over Britannicus (his legit son).
13.1 (Relationships, Historical Writing, Characterisation, Power &
Corruption) ⇒ Nero's reign begins with poisoning of publicly favoured
contender - Junius Silanus - for status as emperor, orchestrated by
Agrippina through Roman knight Publius Celer and freedman Helius, in
charge of imperial revenues in Asia. Narcissus commits die, displeasing
Nero whom shared common ground with him in inner immoral impulses.
o Nero, barely emerged from boyhood & holding empire in the
consequence of a crime, should take 2nd place to a man of settled
yrs, innocent character & noble family
o Narcissus was forced to suicide, much against the will of the
emperor, with whose still hidden vices his greed & prodigality were
in admirable harmony
13.2 (Leadership, Characterisation, Relationships, Power & Corruption,
Historical Writing, Appearance vs Reality)⇒ Seneca and Afranius Burrus
cooperate to restrain Agrippina's power over Nero. Nero is disgusted by
Pallas due to his status as freedman despite the power he has exercised
over his step-father and in collaboration with his mother, and is perhaps
performative in his high regard for her.
o a rare occurrence where power is held in partner-ship - they
exercised equal influence to ensure the sovereign's yrs of
temptation should be restrained within the bounds of permissible
indulgence
*highlighted are what came up in 2025
Themes:
*highlighted themes are relevant to the 2025 essay question – red being the
most relevant - but are still worth revising
Appearance vs Reality
Characterisation
Deceit & Trust
Gender Roles
Historical Writing
Immorality
(Autocracy &) Leadership
Paranoia
Power & Corruption
Relationships
*highlighted are the chapters that came up – really make sure you’re confident in
translating all selected chapters in XII & XIV!!!
12.25 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Historical
Writing, Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Domitius and Agrippina are adopted into Julio-
Augustan family, courtesy of the negotiations of Pallas, during reign of
Claudius. Domitius is first to be adopted in the Claudii & favoured over
Britannicus - Claudius' legitimate son. Historians comment that such an
adoption has not been made in Julian-Claudian family since its founder -
Attus Clausus.
12.26 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Historical Writing,
Appearance vs Reality, Relationships) ⇒ Domitius is named Nero in
recognition of him within in the family and in line to be heir. Agrippina
becomes Augusta after the wife of Augustus (Octavius). Britannicus is
gradually abandoned by all and is ridiculed by his step-mother but is
allegedly cognizant of his mistreatment, but is powerless to retaliate.
12.41 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Deceit & Trust,
Relationships, Leadership) ⇒ Senate convince Claudius to permit Nero to
be consul once 20, have pro-consular command outside Rome & appointed
'Prince of the Youth.' Circus Games raise public favour for Nero to be heir.
Nero dressed maturely like emperor; step-brother is dressed in dull boyish
clothing. Britannicus greets Nero as Domitius, triggering Agrippina to
complain to Claudius, stripping away former's chances at success further.
12.42 (Characterisation, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Deceit &
Trust, Leadership, Historical Writing) ⇒ Agrippina convinces husband to
, replace 2 commanders of Praetorian Guard with Burrus Afranius whom is
faithful to her. She puts on spectacles to augment public image, i.e. riding
in on a chariot, performing traditionally masculine rituals - she is
subverting status quo as woman. She sentences, via Claudius, the senator,
Junius Lupus, after he accuses her associate Vitellius of treason.
12.43 (Characterisation, Autocracy & Leadership, Relationships, Historical
Writing) ⇒ Omens occur which lead to a mob assailing Claudius in the
forum who was attempting to dispense justice & handle situation himself.
Had to be saved by group of militants, showcasing his ineffective rulership.
Rome must rely on imports from other countries & gods/fate for food and
survival unlike in its glory days of agricultural excellence.
12.52 (Autocracy & Leadership, Historical Writing, Power & Corruption,
Appearance vs Reality) ⇒ Man is exiled for consulting astrologers
(Chaldeans) about death of Claudius but then dies in exile despite the
flaunted mercy the emperor had for his family. Astrologers expelled from
Italy which has little to no effect, and Senate are encouraged to step down
from their imperium - a ploy set up by Agrippina.
12.53 (Characterisation, Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption,
Deceit & Truth)⇒ Pallas passes law for women sexually involved with
slaves, especially without their slave owner husband's consent, to be
socially regarded as slaves themselves. Pallas is declared a genius,
humble for one with royal heritage to Arcadian kings but comes into
wealth, extolled by Claudius.
12.56 (Power & Corruption, Appearance vs Reality) ⇒ Power of emperor
emphasised by great engineering feat through a staged naval battle
involving convicts & small boats inspired by that of Augustus. Spectators
from across the country populate the land surrounding the lake to admire
the show & pay respect to Claudius who, with his wife, are dressed for the
occasion.
12.57 (Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption, Relationships, Deceit &
Trust) ⇒ There are clearly faults in the engineering which are fixed in an
interval, losing public interest. To bring back the crowd, a gladiatorial show
is held but the repairs had faults as well so the emperor's banquet is swept
away. Agrippina & Claudius blame Narcissus for sabotage.
12.58 ⇒ 16 year-old Nero is married to step-sister Octavia & gains favour
with people of Ilium, Bononians, Rhodians, & people of Apamea through
recalling his relation to Aeneas via Julian bloodline, all people who had
experienced disasters.
12.59 (Characterisation, Immorality, Power & Corruption, Deceit & Trust)
⇒ Agrippina desires gardens of wealthy Statilius Taurus, pro-consul of
Africa. He is accused of magical and superstitious practices by Tarquitius
Priscus which leads him to commit suicide. Priscus is then expelled from
the Senate, despised by the other senators.
, 12.64 ⇒ Many portents occur signifying Claudius' imminent doom.
Domitia Lepida, her first cousin removed, threatened Agrippina's influence
over Nero.
o The military camps being set ablaze alludes to the end of his role as
imperator over the military; the swarm of bees occupying the
Capitoline temple alludes to the threat to his role as pontifex
maximus (high priest); the conjoined births allude to his incestuous
marriage; and the deaths in each of the magistracies allude to his
scheduled death following the order of the cursus honorum.
12.65 (Paranoia, Power & Corruption, Gender Roles, Relationships) ⇒
Domitia Lepida killed on order of Agrippina, with accusations of witchcraft
and disturbance of the peace in Italy. Narcissus opposed this & suspects
Agrippina more but is in turmoil - he is doomed regardless of which boy
becomes emperor.
o He reflects on past scandals (Messalina & Silius) & warns that Nero’s
succession would bring similar dangers, comparing Agrippina's
immorality to that of Messalina, accusing her of being the lover of
Pallas.
o If Britannicus became emperor, Claudius would be safe.
o Narcissus embraces Britannicus, praying to the gods & to
Britannicus urging him to grow strong, defeat his father’s enemies &
avenge Messalina
12.66 (Characterisation, Immorality, Gender Roles, Appearance & Reality,
Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Narcissus, overcome by stress & anxiety, becomes ill &
retreats to Sinuessa to recover. Agrippina is opportunistic & finalises the
long-awaited regicide, debating on the best poison. She enlists Locusta, a
notorious poisoner, to prep the poison to be administered by Halotus,
Claudius’s eunuch & food-taster at dinner.
o A quick poison would be too obvious.
o A slow poison risks Claudius realising the plot & reconciling with
Britannicus.
o A subtle, confusing poison would cloud Claudius’s mind and delay
death.
12.67 (Historical Writing, Immorality, Characterisation, Power &
Corruption, Paranoia, Appearance vs Reality, Deceit & Trust) ⇒ Poison was
reported by historical authors to be smeared on a mushroom - effects
weren’t instant, due to Claudius’s confusion/intoxication. Terrified plan
failed & of potential consequences, Agrippina involved Dr Xenophon,
already recruited prior, who uses a feather coated in fast-acting poison, as
though inducing vomiting for relief.
o Tacitus comments such bold crimes begin with risk but are carried
through by promised reward.
, 12.68 (Deceit & Trust, Appearance vs Reality, Power & Corruption,
Relationships, Characterisation, Paranoia)⇒ Senate, consuls & priests
publicly express hope for his recovery, unaware or pretending not to know
he is already dead. Agrippina was working to secure Nero’s succession:
o Feigns grief & affection toward Britannicus, calling him the image of
his father & detained Britannicus in his room as well as his sisters,
Octavia & Antonia, guarded.
o Spread false rumours: Claudius was recovering to appease military
& buy time until astrologers (Chaldeans) signalled when to declare
Nero emperor.
12.69 (Historical Writing, Characterisation, Power & Corruption,
Leadership & Autocracy, Relationships) ⇒ Midday 13th October: Nero
emerged from palace with Burrus & presented himself to the praetorian
guard on duty. With Burrus’s guidance, supportive troops placed him on
litter (ceremonial portable couch). Some asked for Britannicus, but
followed Nero. In military camp: he made speech & vowed donative
(monetary gift) so deigned emperor. Senate & provinces readily accepted
this outcome. Claudius was deified & funeral matched splendour of
Augustus’s but will was not read aloud, to avoid public unrest over Nero
(stepson) favoured over Britannicus (his legit son).
13.1 (Relationships, Historical Writing, Characterisation, Power &
Corruption) ⇒ Nero's reign begins with poisoning of publicly favoured
contender - Junius Silanus - for status as emperor, orchestrated by
Agrippina through Roman knight Publius Celer and freedman Helius, in
charge of imperial revenues in Asia. Narcissus commits die, displeasing
Nero whom shared common ground with him in inner immoral impulses.
o Nero, barely emerged from boyhood & holding empire in the
consequence of a crime, should take 2nd place to a man of settled
yrs, innocent character & noble family
o Narcissus was forced to suicide, much against the will of the
emperor, with whose still hidden vices his greed & prodigality were
in admirable harmony
13.2 (Leadership, Characterisation, Relationships, Power & Corruption,
Historical Writing, Appearance vs Reality)⇒ Seneca and Afranius Burrus
cooperate to restrain Agrippina's power over Nero. Nero is disgusted by
Pallas due to his status as freedman despite the power he has exercised
over his step-father and in collaboration with his mother, and is perhaps
performative in his high regard for her.
o a rare occurrence where power is held in partner-ship - they
exercised equal influence to ensure the sovereign's yrs of
temptation should be restrained within the bounds of permissible
indulgence
