Nero was just sixteen when the emperor Claudius died and was named as princeps after he bribed the Praetorian guards to secure his succession. Wary of any rival to his power, he ordered the execution of Britannicus, Claudius’ son with Messalina, as well as the exile Agrippina, his own mother.

Nero’s first five years of reign were generally peaceful but he would soon sink to madness after this. He had his own mother killed, became increasingly corrupt, and wasted Rome’s tax money for his vices. He gave in to paranoia and resumed the treason trials started by Caligula. The Roman troops in Britain also went on a rampage and cruelly suppressed the tribes that lived there. The Celtic queen Boudica took her revenge after she led troops and killed