Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus (ca. 12 February AD 41
– 11 February AD 55), formally Britannicus, was the son of Roman emperor
Claudius and his third wife Valeria Messalina. For a time he was considered his
father's heir, but that would change after his mother's downfall in 48, when it
was revealed she had a bigamous wedding behind Claudius' back. The next year,
his father married Agrippina the Younger, Claudius' fourth and final marriage.
Their marriage was followed by the adoption of Agrippina's son, Lucius
Domitius, whose name became Nero as a result. His step-brother would later be
married to his sister Octavia, and soon eclipsed him. Following his father's
death in October 54, Nero became emperor. He was murdered by Nero shortly
afterward on 11 February 55, just before his fourteenth birthday.
