Mother and son: power in a minute

Agrippina rules for her young son, and then Nero, step by step, takes away her lictors, guard, house and guests; in the end a ship awaits.

Transcript

She made her son emperor. He has her killed.

On the emperor’s first coins they look into each other’s eyes.

Nero has the title. His mother rules.

The Guard’s watchword: the best of mothers. Lictors walk before her.

Envoys and guests go to her first.

Soon her profile on the coins hides behind her son’s.

After Britannicus dies Nero takes his mother’s lictors and guard.

He orders her to leave the palace and live in Antonia’s old house.

Guests avoid the house. Her son rarely drops in.

Four years later Nero invites his mother to the bay.

And gives her a beautiful ship that is meant to fall apart at sea.