Ancient Rome, AD 37

True Roman justice begins and ends with one man's hand around another's throat . . .

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 . . .