Claudius' first wife, Urgulanilla - pretty in the face, but quite a bit bigger and stronger than her husband!

Claudius' first wedding day - not much different than any other day for him as his family laughs at him.

Claudius' mother Antonia and his unloving wife Aelia flank him as they discuss, tongue-in-cheek, the state of modern marriage.

Livilla, who is the lover of Aelia's powerful brother Sejanus, is really the only reason Aelia visits her husband's house.

Imperial matchmaker - Caligula presents Claudius' surprise new bride to him...

...but the older man is not averse to the prize of such a pretty young creature like Messalina!

Messalina with her husband - winsome, sweet, wheedling,
and spoiled.

Messalina with a man who spurns her - vindictive, blackmailing, threatening, and dangerous.

Messalina with the actor Mnester (Nicolas Amer), who proposes
a novel approach to scratching the Empress'
insatiable itch...

...a contest with Scylla (Charlotte Howard), head of the Guild of Prostitutes! (Her hobby is gardening, for which she doesn't expect to be paid, but for this...!)

Messalina's most dangerous liaison - with Silius (Stuart Wilson), a young and handsome Republican ready to overthrow the Emperor and marry her.

The end of Messalina - condemned by her husband to be beheaded, she is courteously offered the dagger first.

Claudius' fourth and last wife is his niece, Agrippinilla. Here she is reviewing with her son Nero a scroll from Claudius' autobiography.

Claudius proposes marriage to Agrippinilla - he loathes and detests her, but looks to fulfill an ancient prophecy by marrying her.

Similar setting, different era - the sodden Emperor and scheming Empress of Rome at dinner-time...

...and the Empress takes a hard look at Claudius' children - especially Brittanicus, Nero's rival for the throne.

"I can read your mind so well, my dear!" Claudius seems to anticipate all of his wife's requests, much to her extreme irritation.

Agrippinilla plots with her closest confidante and lover, Pallas - formerly loyal advisor to the Emperor Claudius and now minion of the Empress.

Caligula's evil sister has no pangs utilizing the wickedest methods to manipulate her son to her will.

Death on a fork - to ensure Claudius is poisoned, Agrippinilla offers a taste from her tainted dish.