Agrippina the Younger was born into the most dangerous family in Rome. The Julio-Claudian dynasty produced emperors, generals, and conspiracies in equal measure. She was the daughter of Germanicus, the sister of Caligula, the niece and later wife of Claudius, and the mother of Nero. Few Romans stood closer to absolute power. Her early life was marked by instability. Her mother was exiled. Her brothers were executed. Under Caligula, she was first honored, then accused of conspiracy and banished.