Ancient Rome AD 37. The fate of a dynasty hangs in the balance. Into this fevered forum Agrippina granddaughter of Emperor Augustus gives birth to a son: Nero. Imperial blood courses through their veins but will offer no protection. If they are to survive amongst tyrants they must learn to walk a razor's edge. Agrippina knows all too well that darkness and power plays of Machiavellian proportions lie at the empire's shadowy heart. She faces soldiers senators rivals silver-tongued pretenders each vying for position. One mistake risks exile incarceration execution. Or worst of all the loss of her infant son. But even in her darkest moments Agrippina sees the glint of opportunity. Her son is everything. She is a kingmaker. She will shape this boy into Rome itself - the one all must kneel before. But first mother and son must survive . . .