Times were when a girl married she not only acquired a husband, but also a mother-in-law. In those days the mother-in-law viewed her daughter very much like a personal slave. And it seemed, that the more the mother loved her son, the less fond she was of his wife.

Now, a lot of men really believe that their mum is next to Godliness. When their current girlfriend tells them I dont think your mother likes me, they poo poo the idea. Of course she likes you, they will reassure her with an indulgent laugh. She loves me. I love you. How could she not love you, too?

Perhaps some girlfriends believe that their man knows what hes talking about, and get married under the misapprehension that all three of them will live happily ever after.

Poppaea, Neros girlfriend, while recognizing that his mum was firmly entrenched in her sons life, hoped that there would be room for another woman in his life.

Time marched on, though, and while Nero was happy to whisper sweet nothings in her ear, those words she was longing to hear just werent coming. When she threw a fit, which she did more and more frequently, claiming he was just a mummys boy, Nero would fluster about how he did love her, and how it just wasnt the right time for him to pop the question. Sick to death of words and promises it came to the stage of its either her or me.

Nero may have been delusionary in many aspects of his life, but when it came to his mother, he knew human nature. After all, hed been tutored by that man of great thinking prowess, Seneca himself.

Whatever inducement he could offer her, he knew she liked the position of being the mother of the most important man in Rome. That she would relinquish this to any other woman, was not to be thought of.

As a man whod been taught logic he knew what the correct equation was. He wanted Poppaea. Mum didnt want Poppaea. He couldnt have Poppaea while mum was around. Ergo, if he wanted Poppaea, mum had to go.

He did the only thing he could do. He tried to get rid of her by sinking the boat she was traveling on. But with the tenacity for which mother-in-laws are noted, while others around her drowned, she swam to the safety of the shore. In the end, Nero had a few of his men visit her with a sword in their hand. It might even be that he asked them to bring her heart in a box to ensure that the wicked witch was really dead.

It would be nice to say that both Nero and Poppaea lived happily ever after. But as it happened, neither of them did.

Vlady Peters

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant performing weddings, naming, renenewal of vows and commitment ceremonies both for Australian citizens and for overseas couples visiting friends and relatives in Australia.

She is the author of two traditionally published books, "The Complete Book of Australian Weddings" and "The Small Organisation Handbbook" and is in the process of releasing two ebooks dealing with weddings and honeymoons.

Her major interest is research into customs and traditions of weddings.

By going back to the roots of customs, she believes couples can more clearly differentiate between what is essential in a wedding ceremony, and what is merely a personal preference.

This allows them to choose a ceremony reflecting their own situation within the framework of legal requirements.

Vlady has a bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Government, and has studied the writing of novels and romances. She has written children picture books as well as novels.

She is a member of Queesland Civil Marriage Celebrants - the largest Civil Marriage Celebrants Association in Australia - as well as member of Celebrants' Training Association.

She is also a member of Australian Authors, as well as Romance Writers Association where for a number of years she was the Convenor of the prestigious Emma Darcy Award - Australia's leading Lady of Romance.