In [[July]] [[64]], [[Vicki Pallister]] met Locusta whilst she and the [[First Doctor]], who was impersonating [[Maximus Pettulian]], were in [[Nero]]'s palace. Locusta created a poison, intended by [[Poppaea]] to be used on [[Barbara Wright]].
'''Locusta''' is the name of a woman thought to be the first documented serial killer. She was a professional poisoner in [[Rome]] sometime during the [[1st century]] A.D.; she also poisoned others in her spare time. In A.D. [[54]], she was hired by Agrippina the Younger to kill the Emperor [[Claudius]], which she accomplished with a poisoned dish of mushrooms. In [[55]], she was convicted of poisoning another victim. When [[Nero]] learned of this he sent a tribune of the Praetorian Guard to rescue her from execution. In return for this she was ordered to poison Britannicus. She succeeded on her second try, Nero rewarding her with immunity from execution while he lived. Seven months after Nero's suicide, Locusta was condemned to die by Galba on January [[69]].
She was encountered by the [[First Doctor]], [[Barbara Wright]], [[Ian Chesterton]], and [[Vicki]] during the events of "[[The Romans (TV story)|The Romans]]" in the year [[64]].
However, the poison was switched by Vicki and instead given to Nero. Nero was spared death through the Doctor's intervention. Nero gave the poisoned cup to [[Tigilinus]], who subsequently died. For failing in this assignment, Poppaea had Locusta taken away "to the arena". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Romans (TV story)|The Romans]]'')
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However, the poison was switched by Vicki and instead given to Nero. Nero was spared death through the Doctor's intervention. Nero gave the poisoned cup to Tigilinus, who subsequently died. For failing in this assignment, Poppaea had Locusta taken away "to the arena". (TV: The Romans)
