Thesis Agrippina the Younger dominated the politics of her time. Her marriage to the Julio-Claudian emperor, Claudius, put her at the forefront of Roman politics, which consequently, brought about a “rigorous, almost masculine despotism” (Tacitus). Thus, during the reign of Claudius, Agrippina came to play a central role in the unfolding of important events as a result of the power she gained and the actions she undertook. Topic Sentence During the early years of Claudius’ reign, Agrippina submitted to a minimal role in public arena. Little is known from the primary sources of her activities until 48 ad, when Messalina marriage to Silius in an attempt to take precedence over Claudius’ sovereignty, opened the door to Agrippina. Topic Sentence After Messalina’s execution, Agrippina became one of the few remaining descendants of Augustus and her son became one of the last legitimate males of the imperial family. Thus, Messalina’s affair invited Agrippina’s role in providing bloodline legitimacy to Claudius’ reign and a potential successor to the dynasty. Suetonius accounts that Agrippina “had a niece’s privilege of kissing and caressing Claudius, and exercised it with a noticeable effect on his passions.” However, taking into account Suetonius’ and Tacitus’ sensationalist tendencies, the truth is likely more political, as supported by Levick: “by marrying, Claudius could both right old wrongs and immeasurably reinforce his political position. After obtaining special dispensation from the Senate for an uncle to marry his niece. Claudius accepted Agrippina, especially on the recommendation of a close freedman, Pallas. Topic Sentence Agrippina’s marriage to Claudius marked a turning point in her career. She amassed remarkable power, as Suetonius states, Claudius came to be “dictated not so much by his own judgement but by his wives”. Thus, as Claudius’ wife, Agrippina came to gain imperium maius and p