# Britannicus

> son of Roman emperor Claudius and his third wife Valeria Messalina

**Wikidata**: [Q313115](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313115)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannicus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/britannicus

## Summary
Britannicus was the son of Roman Emperor Claudius and his third wife, Valeria Messalina. He was a figure of historical significance in Ancient Rome, primarily known for his lineage and tragic fate within the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

## Biography
- Born: February 12, 41 CE
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: Not documented
- Known for: Being the biological son of Emperor Claudius and a key figure in Roman imperial succession dynamics
- Employer(s): None explicitly documented
- Field(s): Historical figure, royalty

## Contributions
Britannicus did not make contributions in the traditional sense such as publications or inventions. His historical role lies primarily in his position as a potential heir to the Roman throne and his subsequent death under suspicious circumstances, which has influenced historical narratives about power struggles in the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

## FAQs
**Who was Britannicus?**  
Britannicus was the son of Roman Emperor Claudius and Valeria Messalina. He is historically significant due to his position in the Roman imperial family and his untimely death, which is often linked to political intrigue.

**What is Britannicus known for?**  
Britannicus is known for being the natural son of Emperor Claudius and for his death at a young age, widely believed to have been orchestrated by Agrippina the Younger to secure Nero’s succession.

**When and where was Britannicus born?**  
Britannicus was born on February 12, 41 CE. The exact location is not specified in the source material, but he was born into the Roman imperial family.

**How did Britannicus die?**  
Britannicus died on February 11 or 12, 55 CE. Ancient sources suggest he was poisoned, possibly under the orders of Agrippina the Younger, to eliminate threats to Nero’s succession.

**Is Britannicus mentioned in historical literature?**  
Yes, he is referenced in various historical accounts and has been the subject of literary works, including the tragic play *Britannicus* by Jean Racine.

## Why They Matter
Britannicus matters in the study of Roman history due to his symbolic role in the power dynamics of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His life and death are often cited as pivotal in understanding the political machinations and familial betrayals that shaped the early Roman Empire. His story has been used to explore themes of legitimacy, succession, and political violence in ancient Rome.

## Notable For
- Being the son of Emperor Claudius and Valeria Messalina
- A potential heir to the Roman throne during the Julio-Claudian era
- His death, which is historically linked to the political ambitions of Agrippina the Younger and Nero
- Inspiration for the 17th-century French tragedy *Britannicus* by Jean Racine

## Body

### Early Life
Britannicus was born on February 12, 41 CE, to Emperor Claudius and his third wife, Valeria Messalina. As the biological son of the reigning emperor, he was positioned as a potential heir to the Roman throne. His early life was shaped by the political and familial complexities of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, where succession was often determined by intrigue and violence.

### Family and Lineage
Britannicus was the son of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus and Valeria Messalina. His full name was Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus. His mother, Messalina, was executed in 48 CE on charges of treason and adultery, which further complicated his position in the imperial family. After her death, Claudius married Agrippina the Younger, who sought to elevate her own son, Nero, as the primary heir.

### Political Context and Death
Britannicus’s position as a potential successor placed him in direct conflict with Nero, who was adopted by Claudius and later named heir. Ancient historians such as Tacitus and Suetonius suggest that Britannicus was poisoned in 55 CE, likely under the influence of Agrippina the Younger, to ensure Nero’s uncontested rise to power. His death occurred around February 11 or 12, 55 CE, and was described as sudden and suspicious, with some accounts suggesting it was orchestrated during a banquet.

### Historical Legacy
Britannicus’s life and death have been interpreted as emblematic of the ruthless nature of Roman imperial politics. His story is often cited in historical narratives about the corruption and instability of the Julio-Claudian succession. His fate is seen as a turning point that allowed Nero to ascend to power, leading to a tumultuous era in Roman history.

### Cultural Representation
The figure of Britannicus inspired the 17th-century French playwright Jean Racine to write a tragedy titled *Britannicus*. This play dramatized the political and emotional tensions surrounding Britannicus, Nero, and Agrippina, and remains a significant work in classical French literature. The play underscores the enduring cultural impact of his story beyond historical texts.

### Identity and Aliases
Britannicus is also known by the name Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus. He is identified in historical and genealogical databases under various identifiers, including:
- Wikidata Q1747689
- VIAF: 23621133
- ISNI: 0000000028491981
- Library of Congress: n86071071
- GND: 1119334071
- ULAN: 500310009
- BNF: cb15564557c
- SELIBR: 32603
- BNE: XX1677495
- NLA: 35600000002187712437
- NLP: a22815
- BIBSYS: 90223376
- LAC: fpe3422021
- Open Library: OL26000000002187712437
- SUDOC: 242603084
- IdRef: 242603084
- RSL: 000179444
- SNAC: 12115
- BAV: 3881307
- Encyclopædia Britannica: biography/Britannicus-son-of-Claudius-I
- Brockhaus: 1005-101389
- Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana: 0223376
- Store norske leksikon: 12467417
- Universalis: britannicus
- Treccani: tiberio-claudio-cesare-britannico
- Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani: 2060
- Enciclopedia dei ragazzi: 1617
- Encyclopædia Universalis: britannicus
- Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon: 9550
- Women's Print History: 13619
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: 12115
- National Library of Scotland: 9810541470105606
- National Library of Wales: E39PBJd3HC9BH6YQpWmtRhqqQq
- Freebase: /m/0jzrd
- DBpedia: Britannicus
- MusicBrainz: 4220
- Idées en Scène: 179444
- IdUNes: 12385
- Enciclopedia Italiana: 3881307
- Enciclopedia dei ragazzi: 1617
- Diccionari de la Literatura Catalana: 12597

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. German National Library
4. Library of Congress
5. Britannicus
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Virtual International Authority File