Roman History 13 - Claudius And The Rise Of Nero 41 - 54 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 61 what me Rome episode 61 what me Rome episode 61 what me [Music] [Music] [Music] Claudius I feel like I could pitch the Claudius I feel like I could pitch the Claudius I feel like I could pitch the story of Claudius to Studio Executives story of Claudius to Studio Executives story of Claudius to Studio Executives and get them to invest in my slapstick and get them to invest in my slapstick and get them to invest in my slapstick period comedy about the bumbling period comedy about the bumbling period comedy about the bumbling stuttering black sheep of the family who stuttering black sheep of the family who stuttering black sheep of the family who when his crazy nephew was assassinated when his crazy nephew was assassinated when his crazy nephew was assassinated and no other viable candidates can be and no other viable candidates can be and no other viable candidates can be found suddenly finds himself proclaimed found suddenly finds himself proclaimed found suddenly finds himself proclaimed emperor of the Roman Empire of course emperor of the Roman Empire of course emperor of the Roman Empire of course our sympathetic hero is not really the our sympathetic hero is not really the our sympathetic hero is not really the idiot everyone thinks he is he's just idiot everyone thinks he is he's just idiot everyone thinks he is he's just misunderstood and as he navigates his misunderstood and as he navigates his misunderstood and as he navigates his way through the treacherous and often way through the treacherous and often way through the treacherous and often hilarious world of Roman power politics hilarious world of Roman power politics hilarious world of Roman power politics from the heart of the capital to the far from the heart of the capital to the far from the heart of the capital to the far off island of Britain he emerges as a off island of Britain he emerges as a off island of Britain he emerges as a just wise but still physically clumsy just wise but still physically clumsy just wise but still physically clumsy ruler trying to do right in a world gone ruler trying to do right in a world gone ruler trying to do right in a world gone horribly and hilariously wrong starring horribly and hilariously wrong starring horribly and hilariously wrong starring Ricky dvas is claudus and Rowan at son Ricky dvas is claudus and Rowan at son Ricky dvas is claudus and Rowan at son as the fredman secretary narcissus as the fredman secretary narcissus as the fredman secretary narcissus trying in vain to hold everything trying in vain to hold everything trying in vain to hold everything together co-starring Britain Jermaine together co-starring Britain Jermaine together co-starring Britain Jermaine from Flight of the Concords is the from Flight of the Concords is the from Flight of the Concords is the brothers who lead the resistance to brothers who lead the resistance to brothers who lead the resistance to claudius's invasion of Britain and of claudius's invasion of Britain and of claudius's invasion of Britain and of course lesle neelon will get a cameo as course lesle neelon will get a cameo as course lesle neelon will get a cameo as the ghost of Caesar Augustus this my the ghost of Caesar Augustus this my the ghost of Caesar Augustus this my friends is pure comedy friends is pure comedy friends is pure comedy gold and the thing is I wouldn't have to gold and the thing is I wouldn't have to gold and the thing is I wouldn't have to stray too far from the historical record stray too far from the historical record stray too far from the historical record to write the script maybe at a few more to write the script maybe at a few more to write the script maybe at a few more Pratt Falls but other than that the true Pratt Falls but other than that the true Pratt Falls but other than that the true story of claudius's improbable rise to story of claudius's improbable rise to story of claudius's improbable rise to power looks in feels enough like the power looks in feels enough like the power looks in feels enough like the premise of a comedy that we wouldn't premise of a comedy that we wouldn't premise of a comedy that we wouldn't have to touch the underlying story at have to touch the underlying story at have to touch the underlying story at all it's a weird thing that Claudius all it's a weird thing that Claudius all it's a weird thing that Claudius became emperor weirder still that he became emperor weirder still that he became emperor weirder still that he turned out to be a good

turned out to be a good turned out to be a good one Tiberius Claudius drusus was born in one Tiberius Claudius drusus was born in one Tiberius Claudius drusus was born in 10 BC in Gaul the youngest of the three 10 BC in Gaul the youngest of the three 10 BC in Gaul the youngest of the three surviving children of jusa and Antonia surviving children of jusa and Antonia surviving children of jusa and Antonia his older brother was the great his older brother was the great his older brother was the great germanicus and his older sister was the germanicus and his older sister was the germanicus and his older sister was the cunning lavilla from the start though cunning lavilla from the start though cunning lavilla from the start though young Claudius was neither great nor young Claudius was neither great nor young Claudius was neither great nor cunning in fact for his entire childhood cunning in fact for his entire childhood cunning in fact for his entire childhood there are zero examples of anything there are zero examples of anything there are zero examples of anything resembling a positive adjective being resembling a positive adjective being resembling a positive adjective being attached to his name Young Claudius it attached to his name Young Claudius it attached to his name Young Claudius it seems suffered from some sort of nervous seems suffered from some sort of nervous seems suffered from some sort of nervous tick that led to a pronounced stutter tick that led to a pronounced stutter tick that led to a pronounced stutter throughout his youth which earned him throughout his youth which earned him throughout his youth which earned him nothing but scorn and exasperation from nothing but scorn and exasperation from nothing but scorn and exasperation from the extended Imperial the extended Imperial the extended Imperial family theories abound about what his family theories abound about what his family theories abound about what his Affliction actually was ranging from Affliction actually was ranging from Affliction actually was ranging from cerebal paly to polio to tourettes but cerebal paly to polio to tourettes but cerebal paly to polio to tourettes but nobody knows for sure what it was what nobody knows for sure what it was what nobody knows for sure what it was what we do know is that his Mother Antonia we do know is that his Mother Antonia we do know is that his Mother Antonia appears to have been horrified by him appears to have been horrified by him appears to have been horrified by him and showed nothing but disdain for her and showed nothing but disdain for her and showed nothing but disdain for her youngest son when not referring to him youngest son when not referring to him youngest son when not referring to him as a monster she used him as the as a monster she used him as the as a monster she used him as the Benchmark for stupidity as in why that Benchmark for stupidity as in why that Benchmark for stupidity as in why that man is as dumb as my son man is as dumb as my son man is as dumb as my son Claudius unable I guess to even stand Claudius unable I guess to even stand Claudius unable I guess to even stand the sight of him Antonia dumped Claudius the sight of him Antonia dumped Claudius the sight of him Antonia dumped Claudius off on Livia who herself had nothing but off on Livia who herself had nothing but off on Livia who herself had nothing but contempt for this stuttering contempt for this stuttering contempt for this stuttering embarrassment of a boy Livia had no time embarrassment of a boy Livia had no time embarrassment of a boy Livia had no time to deal with him so she hired a quote to deal with him so she hired a quote to deal with him so she hired a quote two tutor to look after him the tutor two tutor to look after him the tutor two tutor to look after him the tutor who Legend holds was a former mule who Legend holds was a former mule who Legend holds was a former mule driver used severe discipline to try to driver used severe discipline to try to driver used severe discipline to try to break Claudius of his witless ways which break Claudius of his witless ways which break Claudius of his witless ways which everyone assumed was simply caused by everyone assumed was simply caused by everyone assumed was simply caused by laziness and bad moral

laziness and bad moral laziness and bad moral fiber Claudius survived his childhood fiber Claudius survived his childhood fiber Claudius survived his childhood and when he emerged into his teens he and when he emerged into his teens he and when he emerged into his teens he showed some signs that he was not showed some signs that he was not showed some signs that he was not actually an idiot just that he had actually an idiot just that he had actually an idiot just that he had difficulty communicating his ideas to difficulty communicating his ideas to difficulty communicating his ideas to other people other people other people verbally he expressed an interest in verbally he expressed an interest in verbally he expressed an interest in studying history and encouraged the studying history and encouraged the studying history and encouraged the there may be hope for the little monster there may be hope for the little monster there may be hope for the little monster after all Augustus hired Livy to tutor after all Augustus hired Livy to tutor after all Augustus hired Livy to tutor his stepgrandson in 7 his stepgrandson in 7 his stepgrandson in 7 ad this opened up a brief window of time ad this opened up a brief window of time ad this opened up a brief window of time during which Claudius appears to have during which Claudius appears to have during which Claudius appears to have climbed out of the family dogghouse in a climbed out of the family dogghouse in a climbed out of the family dogghouse in a letter to Olia Augustus even expressed letter to Olia Augustus even expressed letter to Olia Augustus even expressed amazement after hearing Claudius deliver amazement after hearing Claudius deliver amazement after hearing Claudius deliver a fine oration that the young man was a fine oration that the young man was a fine oration that the young man was even capable of such a thing apparently even capable of such a thing apparently even capable of such a thing apparently finding the formal rules of oratory to finding the formal rules of oratory to finding the formal rules of oratory to be some kind of mental crutch Claudius be some kind of mental crutch Claudius be some kind of mental crutch Claudius turned out to be quite a capable public turned out to be quite a capable public turned out to be quite a capable public speaker it was only private conversation speaker it was only private conversation speaker it was only private conversation that his mouth kept hiccuping on that his mouth kept hiccuping on that his mouth kept hiccuping on him this brief spell of acceptance was him this brief spell of acceptance was him this brief spell of acceptance was broken when Claudius decided to write a broken when Claudius decided to write a broken when Claudius decided to write a history of the Civil Wars the finished history of the Civil Wars the finished history of the Civil Wars the finished draft was read by Livia who deemed the draft was read by Livia who deemed the draft was read by Livia who deemed the work far too critical read accurate a work far too critical read accurate a work far too critical read accurate a telling of augustus's rise to power the telling of augustus's rise to power the telling of augustus's rise to power the work was suppressed and the family work was suppressed and the family work was suppressed and the family henceforth decided that Claudius could henceforth decided that Claudius could henceforth decided that Claudius could not be trusted with the family secrets not be trusted with the family secrets not be trusted with the family secrets and must never be allowed anywhere near and must never be allowed anywhere near and must never be allowed anywhere near power after Augustus died 23-year-old power after Augustus died 23-year-old power after Augustus died 23-year-old claudus petitioned tiberias to allow him claudus petitioned tiberias to allow him claudus petitioned tiberias to allow him to enter the curses honor him but to enter the curses honor him but to enter the curses honor him but Tiberius refused his nephew's request Tiberius refused his nephew's request Tiberius refused his nephew's request Claudius was not to be allowed a public Claudius was not to be allowed a public Claudius was not to be allowed a public career he would have to settle for a career he would have to settle for a career he would have to settle for a private life of private life of private life of scholarship throughout the 20s ad

scholarship throughout the 20s ad scholarship throughout the 20s ad claudus tried to stay below the radar as claudus tried to stay below the radar as claudus tried to stay below the radar as sanus Rose to power and targeted anyone sanus Rose to power and targeted anyone sanus Rose to power and targeted anyone he thought might be a threat it is a he thought might be a threat it is a he thought might be a threat it is a testament to how insignificant a testament to how insignificant a testament to how insignificant a political figure Claudius was at this political figure Claudius was at this political figure Claudius was at this point that he survived the purges and point that he survived the purges and point that he survived the purges and counter purges of sanus and Tiberius counter purges of sanus and Tiberius counter purges of sanus and Tiberius even as they swallowed his brother even as they swallowed his brother even as they swallowed his brother sister and various nephews nieces and sister and various nephews nieces and sister and various nephews nieces and cousins the small role Claudius did play cousins the small role Claudius did play cousins the small role Claudius did play in the drama of Tiberius his Reign was in the drama of Tiberius his Reign was in the drama of Tiberius his Reign was as a husband of convenience for sanus as a husband of convenience for sanus as a husband of convenience for sanus who married his adopted sister to the who married his adopted sister to the who married his adopted sister to the Imperial family's Black Sheep In order Imperial family's Black Sheep In order Imperial family's Black Sheep In order to strengthen his own ties to the ruling to strengthen his own ties to the ruling to strengthen his own ties to the ruling Clan the marriage ended in a quick Clan the marriage ended in a quick Clan the marriage ended in a quick divorce after sanus fell from power and divorce after sanus fell from power and divorce after sanus fell from power and Claudius couldn't afford any connections Claudius couldn't afford any connections Claudius couldn't afford any connections to the disgraced and executed former to the disgraced and executed former to the disgraced and executed former prefect of the Guard over the course of tyberius his reign as over the course of tyberius his reign as politically insignificant as he was politically insignificant as he was politically insignificant as he was Claudius did make a respectable name for Claudius did make a respectable name for Claudius did make a respectable name for himself as an author and a scholar after himself as an author and a scholar after himself as an author and a scholar after getting burned early for writing about getting burned early for writing about getting burned early for writing about topics that hit too close to home topics that hit too close to home topics that hit too close to home Claudius branched out and wrote a Claudius branched out and wrote a Claudius branched out and wrote a history of the atrans and later produced history of the atrans and later produced history of the atrans and later produced an eight volume series on the an eight volume series on the an eight volume series on the carthaginians so while he got no love carthaginians so while he got no love carthaginians so while he got no love from his family The Wider Roman world from his family The Wider Roman world from his family The Wider Roman world seems to have grown well disposed seems to have grown well disposed seems to have grown well disposed towards the one member of the Imperial towards the one member of the Imperial towards the one member of the Imperial family who didn't seem to be lusting family who didn't seem to be lusting family who didn't seem to be lusting after power when Augustus died the upper after power when Augustus died the upper after power when Augustus died the upper class equestrians actually chose class equestrians actually chose class equestrians actually chose Claudius to head their delegation during Claudius to head their delegation during Claudius to head their delegation during the funeral procession and during the funeral procession and during the funeral procession and during Tiberius his Reign the Senate voted to Tiberius his Reign the Senate voted to Tiberius his Reign the Senate voted to allow Claudius the right to join in the allow Claudius the right to join in the allow Claudius the right to join in the bod's debates though this latter bill bod's debates though this latter bill bod's debates though this latter bill was vetoed by the

was vetoed by the was vetoed by the emperor after tyberius his son jusus emperor after tyberius his son jusus emperor after tyberius his son jusus died Claudius was even championed as a died Claudius was even championed as a died Claudius was even championed as a possible new air parent though Claudius possible new air parent though Claudius possible new air parent though Claudius hastily and smartly declared that he had hastily and smartly declared that he had hastily and smartly declared that he had no interest in the job no interest in the job no interest in the job after Tiberius died and Caligula became after Tiberius died and Caligula became after Tiberius died and Caligula became emperor claudus suddenly found himself emperor claudus suddenly found himself emperor claudus suddenly found himself thrust into the public career he had thrust into the public career he had thrust into the public career he had long since given up on upon his long since given up on upon his long since given up on upon his Ascension Caligula decided to serve as Ascension Caligula decided to serve as Ascension Caligula decided to serve as Cil and chose of all people Claudius to Cil and chose of all people Claudius to Cil and chose of all people Claudius to serve as his colleague this was not out serve as his colleague this was not out serve as his colleague this was not out of any great love or respect for Uncle of any great love or respect for Uncle of any great love or respect for Uncle Claudius though mostly Kula just wanted Claudius though mostly Kula just wanted Claudius though mostly Kula just wanted to remind people of germanicus and so to remind people of germanicus and so to remind people of germanicus and so elevated his dead father's brother to elevated his dead father's brother to elevated his dead father's brother to the the the consulship far from respect Caligula consulship far from respect Caligula consulship far from respect Caligula actually seems to have gone out of his actually seems to have gone out of his actually seems to have gone out of his way to torture his uncle turning way to torture his uncle turning way to torture his uncle turning Claudius into a sort of deao Court Claudius into a sort of deao Court Claudius into a sort of deao Court gesture kept around mostly to be the gesture kept around mostly to be the gesture kept around mostly to be the butt of The Emperor's jokes but it butt of The Emperor's jokes but it butt of The Emperor's jokes but it wasn't all just haha I put a whoopy wasn't all just haha I put a whoopy wasn't all just haha I put a whoopy cushion on claudius's chair kind of cushion on claudius's chair kind of cushion on claudius's chair kind of jokes cigal also extorted huge sums of jokes cigal also extorted huge sums of jokes cigal also extorted huge sums of money from his uncle at one point money from his uncle at one point money from his uncle at one point inventing a new priesthood and then inventing a new priesthood and then inventing a new priesthood and then forcing Claudius and a few other wealthy forcing Claudius and a few other wealthy forcing Claudius and a few other wealthy targets to Pony up ridiculous fees to targets to Pony up ridiculous fees to targets to Pony up ridiculous fees to join non-compliance would have surely join non-compliance would have surely join non-compliance would have surely meant death and by the time Caligula's meant death and by the time Caligula's meant death and by the time Caligula's short Reign was over this and other short Reign was over this and other short Reign was over this and other events like it caused Claudius to be events like it caused Claudius to be events like it caused Claudius to be deep in deep in deep in debt Legend has it that when kigil was debt Legend has it that when kigil was debt Legend has it that when kigil was assassinated Claudius was found hiding assassinated Claudius was found hiding assassinated Claudius was found hiding behind a curtain in the Imperial Palace behind a curtain in the Imperial Palace behind a curtain in the Imperial Palace quite reasonably assuming that he was quite reasonably assuming that he was quite reasonably assuming that he was about to be killed Claudius was shocked about to be killed Claudius was shocked about to be killed Claudius was shocked when the members of the Guard who found

when the members of the Guard who found when the members of the Guard who found him knelt and proclaimed him Emperor him knelt and proclaimed him Emperor him knelt and proclaimed him Emperor that's the legend anyway other probably that's the legend anyway other probably that's the legend anyway other probably more reliable accounts have Claudius more reliable accounts have Claudius more reliable accounts have Claudius being hustled back to the petorian camp being hustled back to the petorian camp being hustled back to the petorian camp unsure of his fate only later being unsure of his fate only later being unsure of his fate only later being proclaimed proclaimed proclaimed Emperor I said last week that this Emperor I said last week that this Emperor I said last week that this happened on the night of the happened on the night of the happened on the night of the assassination but alert listener Claude assassination but alert listener Claude assassination but alert listener Claude was kind enough to remind me that Gibbon was kind enough to remind me that Gibbon was kind enough to remind me that Gibbon says that at least 48 Hours passed says that at least 48 Hours passed says that at least 48 Hours passed before Claudius was declared before Claudius was declared before Claudius was declared emperor during the interval the Senate emperor during the interval the Senate emperor during the interval the Senate argued with itself over who should be argued with itself over who should be argued with itself over who should be the next princeps but when they were the next princeps but when they were the next princeps but when they were unable to unify behind a single unable to unify behind a single unable to unify behind a single candidate the petorian seized the candidate the petorian seized the candidate the petorian seized the initiative and called it for Claudius initiative and called it for Claudius initiative and called it for Claudius who they hoped to be able to who they hoped to be able to who they hoped to be able to control it speaks volumes about how in control it speaks volumes about how in control it speaks volumes about how in trench the new imperial system had trench the new imperial system had trench the new imperial system had become that when the Senate found itself become that when the Senate found itself become that when the Senate found itself briefly without an emperor lording over briefly without an emperor lording over briefly without an emperor lording over them they dissolved into arguments not them they dissolved into arguments not them they dissolved into arguments not about how best to reassert the Senate's about how best to reassert the Senate's about how best to reassert the Senate's Authority but rather who among them Authority but rather who among them Authority but rather who among them should should should rule the bickering in the Senate was rule the bickering in the Senate was rule the bickering in the Senate was finally shut down when word came that finally shut down when word came that finally shut down when word came that the petorian guard had in fact settled the petorian guard had in fact settled the petorian guard had in fact settled the matter and named Uncle Claudius the matter and named Uncle Claudius the matter and named Uncle Claudius prps too factionalized to resist the prps too factionalized to resist the prps too factionalized to resist the Senate found itself accepting the Senate found itself accepting the Senate found itself accepting the guard's decision foolish clumsy guard's decision foolish clumsy guard's decision foolish clumsy embarrassing Claudius was now the embarrassing Claudius was now the embarrassing Claudius was now the absolute ruler of the Roman absolute ruler of the Roman absolute ruler of the Roman Empire but the Senate still had some Empire but the Senate still had some Empire but the Senate still had some poll and they extracted a promise that poll and they extracted a promise that poll and they extracted a promise that Claudius would not prosecute cigil as Claudius would not prosecute cigil as Claudius would not prosecute cigil as assassins or anyone who may have been assassins or anyone who may have been assassins or anyone who may have been involved in the wider conspiracy which a involved in the wider conspiracy which a involved in the wider conspiracy which a number of the senators were Claudius number of the senators were Claudius number of the senators were Claudius agreed but he refused to spare the lead

agreed but he refused to spare the lead agreed but he refused to spare the lead assassin Cara who was eventually tried assassin Cara who was eventually tried assassin Cara who was eventually tried and convicted for the murder of and convicted for the murder of and convicted for the murder of Caligula yes it was a very good thing Caligula yes it was a very good thing Caligula yes it was a very good thing that kigo was dead but it would set a that kigo was dead but it would set a that kigo was dead but it would set a very bad precedent for there to be no very bad precedent for there to be no very bad precedent for there to be no punishment whatsoever for the high crime punishment whatsoever for the high crime punishment whatsoever for the high crime of assassinating an of assassinating an of assassinating an emperor not that anyone paid attention emperor not that anyone paid attention emperor not that anyone paid attention to the message Claudius was trying to to the message Claudius was trying to to the message Claudius was trying to send as he spent most of his Reign send as he spent most of his Reign send as he spent most of his Reign dodging murderous plots of every shape dodging murderous plots of every shape dodging murderous plots of every shape and size and in the end was very likely and size and in the end was very likely and size and in the end was very likely done in by one hatched by his wife done in by one hatched by his wife done in by one hatched by his wife agripina it appears that while everyone agripina it appears that while everyone agripina it appears that while everyone outwardly accepted Claudius behind every outwardly accepted Claudius behind every outwardly accepted Claudius behind every back was a knife or a bottle of poison back was a knife or a bottle of poison back was a knife or a bottle of poison or the legion stationed in or the legion stationed in or the legion stationed in Dalmatia on that last Point Claudius was Dalmatia on that last Point Claudius was Dalmatia on that last Point Claudius was wise to make one of his first moves wise to make one of his first moves wise to make one of his first moves after taking office be the payment of after taking office be the payment of after taking office be the payment of cash bribes to the Army to ensure their cash bribes to the Army to ensure their cash bribes to the Army to ensure their loyalty because in 42 a plot was cooked loyalty because in 42 a plot was cooked loyalty because in 42 a plot was cooked up between an ambitious senator in Rome up between an ambitious senator in Rome up between an ambitious senator in Rome and the governor of Dalmatia who just so and the governor of Dalmatia who just so and the governor of Dalmatia who just so happened to be an ex- brother-in-law of happened to be an ex- brother-in-law of happened to be an ex- brother-in-law of Claudius their plan was relatively Claudius their plan was relatively Claudius their plan was relatively simple the governor was going to March simple the governor was going to March simple the governor was going to March his Legions on Rome and then depose his Legions on Rome and then depose his Legions on Rome and then depose Claudius the only problem was that when Claudius the only problem was that when Claudius the only problem was that when it came time to actually launch the it came time to actually launch the it came time to actually launch the Rebellion the troops decided that they Rebellion the troops decided that they Rebellion the troops decided that they were better off staying put rather than were better off staying put rather than were better off staying put rather than join joining in a dangerous scheme to join joining in a dangerous scheme to join joining in a dangerous scheme to take control of the Empire the planned take control of the Empire the planned take control of the Empire the planned coup fell apart and the governor coup fell apart and the governor coup fell apart and the governor publicly exposed committed publicly exposed committed publicly exposed committed suicide so while Claudius did his best suicide so while Claudius did his best suicide so while Claudius did his best to maintain good relations with the to maintain good relations with the to maintain good relations with the Senate and anyone else who might Senate and anyone else who might Senate and anyone else who might conceivably want him dead it got him conceivably want him dead it got him conceivably want him dead it got him nowhere with his reputation as a nowhere with his reputation as a nowhere with his reputation as a bumbling fool everyone seems to have

bumbling fool everyone seems to have bumbling fool everyone seems to have thought that killing Claudius would not thought that killing Claudius would not thought that killing Claudius would not only be easy but that it was necessary only be easy but that it was necessary only be easy but that it was necessary for the good of the Empire after all how for the good of the Empire after all how for the good of the Empire after all how long could Rome last with an idiot in long could Rome last with an idiot in long could Rome last with an idiot in charge but the thing is Claudius wasn't an but the thing is Claudius wasn't an idiot and far from running the empire idiot and far from running the empire idiot and far from running the empire into the ground or doing what everybody into the ground or doing what everybody into the ground or doing what everybody thought he was going to do which was thought he was going to do which was thought he was going to do which was like embarrass Rome at parties Claudius like embarrass Rome at parties Claudius like embarrass Rome at parties Claudius proved to be one of the more capable proved to be one of the more capable proved to be one of the more capable Emperors Rome ever saw he took an active Emperors Rome ever saw he took an active Emperors Rome ever saw he took an active interest in governance which is interest in governance which is interest in governance which is something Rome had not really seen since something Rome had not really seen since something Rome had not really seen since Augustus had died 25 years earlier he Augustus had died 25 years earlier he Augustus had died 25 years earlier he further strengthened the Imperial further strengthened the Imperial further strengthened the Imperial bureaucracy ordered targeted reforms be bureaucracy ordered targeted reforms be bureaucracy ordered targeted reforms be made to the legal system and every day made to the legal system and every day made to the legal system and every day issued dozens of edicts on a wide range issued dozens of edicts on a wide range issued dozens of edicts on a wide range of topics Rome in short had a competent of topics Rome in short had a competent of topics Rome in short had a competent executive again but the Romans weren't executive again but the Romans weren't executive again but the Romans weren't quite ready to accept the notion that quite ready to accept the notion that quite ready to accept the notion that Claudius actually knew what he was doing Claudius actually knew what he was doing Claudius actually knew what he was doing and most attributed anything halfway and most attributed anything halfway and most attributed anything halfway intelligent that came out of the intelligent that came out of the intelligent that came out of the Imperial Palace to be from one of his Imperial Palace to be from one of his Imperial Palace to be from one of his various fredman advisers who were said various fredman advisers who were said various fredman advisers who were said to have the pliable Emperor completely to have the pliable Emperor completely to have the pliable Emperor completely under their under their under their thumb the extent to which claudus relied thumb the extent to which claudus relied thumb the extent to which claudus relied on his advisers is probably exaggerated on his advisers is probably exaggerated on his advisers is probably exaggerated but there is no denying that the power but there is no denying that the power but there is no denying that the power and influence of of freedom and and influence of of freedom and and influence of of freedom and bureaucrats did rise precipitously bureaucrats did rise precipitously bureaucrats did rise precipitously during the reign of Rome's fourth during the reign of Rome's fourth during the reign of Rome's fourth Emperor it should be noted though that Emperor it should be noted though that Emperor it should be noted though that the growing power of the bureaucracy was the growing power of the bureaucracy was the growing power of the bureaucracy was more of a reaction to circumstance than more of a reaction to circumstance than more of a reaction to circumstance than anything Claudius was actively planning anything Claudius was actively planning anything Claudius was actively planning to do from the to do from the to do from the start like his predecessors Claudius had start like his predecessors Claudius had start like his predecessors Claudius had a difficult time getting the Senate to a difficult time getting the Senate to a difficult time getting the Senate to help share in the burdens of government help share in the burdens of government help share in the burdens of government so he was forced to do everything for

so he was forced to do everything for so he was forced to do everything for himself but unlike his predecessors himself but unlike his predecessors himself but unlike his predecessors except for Augustus he actually had an except for Augustus he actually had an except for Augustus he actually had an interest in getting things done so he re interest in getting things done so he re interest in getting things done so he re organized the state to make it more organized the state to make it more organized the state to make it more responsive and efficient he created the responsive and efficient he created the responsive and efficient he created the equivalent of a governmental cabinet and equivalent of a governmental cabinet and equivalent of a governmental cabinet and appointed capable Freedman to head the appointed capable Freedman to head the appointed capable Freedman to head the new departments he created there was a new departments he created there was a new departments he created there was a secretary of Correspondence the secretary of Correspondence the secretary of Correspondence the aforementioned narcissus who was aforementioned narcissus who was aforementioned narcissus who was probably the closest to Claudius and the probably the closest to Claudius and the probably the closest to Claudius and the most most most influential a secretary of Justice gas influential a secretary of Justice gas influential a secretary of Justice gas Julius kalistus who had been an Julius kalistus who had been an Julius kalistus who had been an important Cog in the plot to kill important Cog in the plot to kill important Cog in the plot to kill Caligula a Secretary of the Treasury Caligula a Secretary of the Treasury Caligula a Secretary of the Treasury Marcus Antonius Palace who is said to Marcus Antonius Palace who is said to Marcus Antonius Palace who is said to have grown richer than even crus by the have grown richer than even crus by the have grown richer than even crus by the time of his death and a secretary of time of his death and a secretary of time of his death and a secretary of miscellany gas ulius pus who would miscellany gas ulius pus who would miscellany gas ulius pus who would eventually be executed for plotting eventually be executed for plotting eventually be executed for plotting against the against the against the emperor these men acted as the eyes ears emperor these men acted as the eyes ears emperor these men acted as the eyes ears mouths and brains of claudius's mouths and brains of claudius's mouths and brains of claudius's administration and were instrumental in administration and were instrumental in administration and were instrumental in making his Reign a successful one Palace making his Reign a successful one Palace making his Reign a successful one Palace for example apparently did such a good for example apparently did such a good for example apparently did such a good job nursing the Empire's finances back job nursing the Empire's finances back job nursing the Empire's finances back to health after Caligula wrecked to health after Caligula wrecked to health after Caligula wrecked everything that the Senate voted him a everything that the Senate voted him a everything that the Senate voted him a big fancy award big fancy award big fancy award in most respects Claudius did his best in most respects Claudius did his best in most respects Claudius did his best to emulate Augustus and he tried to emulate Augustus and he tried to emulate Augustus and he tried mightily to associate himself with the mightily to associate himself with the mightily to associate himself with the original original original prps ascending to the throne he added prps ascending to the throne he added prps ascending to the throne he added the name Caesar and Augustus to his own the name Caesar and Augustus to his own the name Caesar and Augustus to his own and even revived the long-forgotten and even revived the long-forgotten and even revived the long-forgotten rumor that his father drusus was rumor that his father drusus was rumor that his father drusus was actually the son of Augustus rather than actually the son of Augustus rather than actually the son of Augustus rather than Tiberius Claudius Tiberius Claudius Tiberius Claudius Nero for the most part Claudius did a

Nero for the most part Claudius did a Nero for the most part Claudius did a pretty good job copying Augustus from pretty good job copying Augustus from pretty good job copying Augustus from the stable and patient public the stable and patient public the stable and patient public administration right down to the hectic administration right down to the hectic administration right down to the hectic and distracting personal life which and distracting personal life which and distracting personal life which we'll get more into next we'll get more into next we'll get more into next week but to really establish himself as week but to really establish himself as week but to really establish himself as an emperor worthy of the same respect an emperor worthy of the same respect an emperor worthy of the same respect that Augustus had enjoyed Claudius would that Augustus had enjoyed Claudius would that Augustus had enjoyed Claudius would have to stray from augustus's injunction have to stray from augustus's injunction have to stray from augustus's injunction not to expand the Empire because if he not to expand the Empire because if he not to expand the Empire because if he was ever going to be taken seriously was ever going to be taken seriously was ever going to be taken seriously Claudius needed some impressive military Claudius needed some impressive military Claudius needed some impressive military victories to go with his Bland legal victories to go with his Bland legal victories to go with his Bland legal reforms after surveying the map it reforms after surveying the map it reforms after surveying the map it quickly became obvious that the only quickly became obvious that the only quickly became obvious that the only territory ripe for Conquest was the territory ripe for Conquest was the territory ripe for Conquest was the far-flung island of Britannia far-flung island of Britannia far-flung island of Britannia the double bonus Britannia offered the double bonus Britannia offered the double bonus Britannia offered Claudius image-wise was that he would be Claudius image-wise was that he would be Claudius image-wise was that he would be following in the footsteps of the great following in the footsteps of the great following in the footsteps of the great Julius Caesar who had tried Julius Caesar who had tried Julius Caesar who had tried unsuccessfully to bring the island into unsuccessfully to bring the island into unsuccessfully to bring the island into the Roman fold 100 years before if the Roman fold 100 years before if the Roman fold 100 years before if Claudius could succeed where Caesar had Claudius could succeed where Caesar had Claudius could succeed where Caesar had in essence failed well that would be a in essence failed well that would be a in essence failed well that would be a pretty big feather in the New Emperor's pretty big feather in the New Emperor's pretty big feather in the New Emperor's cap but it wasn't just about Optics and cap but it wasn't just about Optics and cap but it wasn't just about Optics and Glory britania was also rich with Glory britania was also rich with Glory britania was also rich with mineral deposits that the Romans had mineral deposits that the Romans had mineral deposits that the Romans had long coveted and the island was becoming long coveted and the island was becoming long coveted and the island was becoming a safe hav for rebellious GS who were a safe hav for rebellious GS who were a safe hav for rebellious GS who were forever making trouble for Roman forever making trouble for Roman forever making trouble for Roman administrators in the north so Claudius administrators in the north so Claudius administrators in the north so Claudius looked at Britain and saw an opportunity looked at Britain and saw an opportunity looked at Britain and saw an opportunity to a do what Julius Caesar couldn't do B to a do what Julius Caesar couldn't do B to a do what Julius Caesar couldn't do B make the Empire richer and C make the make the Empire richer and C make the make the Empire richer and C make the Empire safer Invasion plans were drawn Empire safer Invasion plans were drawn Empire safer Invasion plans were drawn up immediately the excuse Claudius needed immediately the excuse Claudius needed to invade came in 43 when the king of a

to invade came in 43 when the king of a to invade came in 43 when the king of a Roman Allied tribe on the island was Roman Allied tribe on the island was Roman Allied tribe on the island was ousted from Power by an expanding rival ousted from Power by an expanding rival ousted from Power by an expanding rival tribe tribe tribe Claudius ordered alus plaus to lead four Claudius ordered alus plaus to lead four Claudius ordered alus plaus to lead four Legions across the English Channel and Legions across the English Channel and Legions across the English Channel and punish the tribes who had messed with a punish the tribes who had messed with a punish the tribes who had messed with a Roman Roman Roman Ally probably regathering the same Ally probably regathering the same Ally probably regathering the same Legions that had been raised by Caligula Legions that had been raised by Caligula Legions that had been raised by Caligula just a few years before Claudius massed just a few years before Claudius massed just a few years before Claudius massed his invasion Force which in addition to his invasion Force which in addition to his invasion Force which in addition to the four Legions included some 20,000 the four Legions included some 20,000 the four Legions included some 20,000 auxiliaries on the North Coast of auxiliaries on the North Coast of auxiliaries on the North Coast of Gaul but as they prepared to sail a Gaul but as they prepared to sail a Gaul but as they prepared to sail a mutiny broke out when the men realized mutiny broke out when the men realized mutiny broke out when the men realized that this time around they weren't just that this time around they weren't just that this time around they weren't just going to be picking up sea shells for going to be picking up sea shells for going to be picking up sea shells for the emperor the emperor the emperor terrified of what lay on the uncivilized terrified of what lay on the uncivilized terrified of what lay on the uncivilized Island that in addition to being Island that in addition to being Island that in addition to being populated with monsters was practically populated with monsters was practically populated with monsters was practically falling off the edge of the world the falling off the edge of the world the falling off the edge of the world the men refused to men refused to men refused to budge narcissus who had been sent to budge narcissus who had been sent to budge narcissus who had been sent to keep an eye on things for Claudius keep an eye on things for Claudius keep an eye on things for Claudius managed to get things back on track by managed to get things back on track by managed to get things back on track by addressing the men and reminding them of addressing the men and reminding them of addressing the men and reminding them of their Duty apparently it wasn't his their Duty apparently it wasn't his their Duty apparently it wasn't his words that actually worked on him they words that actually worked on him they words that actually worked on him they were just tickled by the spectical of were just tickled by the spectical of were just tickled by the spectical of this former slave addressing them as if this former slave addressing them as if this former slave addressing them as if he was their leader as it reminded them he was their leader as it reminded them he was their leader as it reminded them of the traditional rool switching games of the traditional rool switching games of the traditional rool switching games that are played during saturnalia the that are played during saturnalia the that are played during saturnalia the troops agreed to stand down their troops agreed to stand down their troops agreed to stand down their Mutiny now the only really good account Mutiny now the only really good account Mutiny now the only really good account we have of the invasion comes from Casas we have of the invasion comes from Casas we have of the invasion comes from Casas Dio who was writing 150 years after the Dio who was writing 150 years after the Dio who was writing 150 years after the fact so no one is really sure exactly fact so no one is really sure exactly fact so no one is really sure exactly what happened next even simple things what happened next even simple things what happened next even simple things like where the fleet took off from and like where the fleet took off from and like where the fleet took off from and where they landed are in dispute and it where they landed are in dispute and it where they landed are in dispute and it seems like every historian has their own

seems like every historian has their own seems like every historian has their own pet theory about whether the Romans pet theory about whether the Romans pet theory about whether the Romans landed in Kent as the traditional landed in Kent as the traditional landed in Kent as the traditional accounting goes or whether it was down accounting goes or whether it was down accounting goes or whether it was down by the aisle of white and whether they by the aisle of white and whether they by the aisle of white and whether they came in three equal divisions or just came in three equal divisions or just came in three equal divisions or just one big one or one big one with two one big one or one big one with two one big one or one big one with two smaller detachments I'm not going to get smaller detachments I'm not going to get smaller detachments I'm not going to get bogged down with these controversies so bogged down with these controversies so bogged down with these controversies so I'm just going to say that the Romans I'm just going to say that the Romans I'm just going to say that the Romans were in Gul then they got on some were in Gul then they got on some were in Gul then they got on some transport ships then they were in transport ships then they were in transport ships then they were in Britain whatever route they took and Britain whatever route they took and Britain whatever route they took and wherever they landed the Roman invasion wherever they landed the Roman invasion wherever they landed the Roman invasion of Britain had of Britain had of Britain had begun now the locals weren't just going begun now the locals weren't just going begun now the locals weren't just going to stand by while their land was to stand by while their land was to stand by while their land was conquered by these foreign Invaders two conquered by these foreign Invaders two conquered by these foreign Invaders two brothers named tgod dumus and catticus brothers named tgod dumus and catticus brothers named tgod dumus and catticus who led the tribe that had ousted the who led the tribe that had ousted the who led the tribe that had ousted the Roman Allied King in the first place Roman Allied King in the first place Roman Allied King in the first place gathered up a resistance force and set gathered up a resistance force and set gathered up a resistance force and set themselves on the banks of the river themselves on the banks of the river themselves on the banks of the river Medway to prevent the Romans from Medway to prevent the Romans from Medway to prevent the Romans from penetrating into the interior of the penetrating into the interior of the penetrating into the interior of the island but as was so often the case when island but as was so often the case when island but as was so often the case when it came to setpiece battles the Romans it came to setpiece battles the Romans it came to setpiece battles the Romans were Second To None not that they had an were Second To None not that they had an were Second To None not that they had an easy go of it the battle that was fought easy go of it the battle that was fought easy go of it the battle that was fought beside the Medway allegedly lasted for 2 beside the Medway allegedly lasted for 2 beside the Medway allegedly lasted for 2 days just that in the end as usual the days just that in the end as usual the days just that in the end as usual the Romans simply wore their opponents out Romans simply wore their opponents out Romans simply wore their opponents out the British were forced to retreat to the British were forced to retreat to the British were forced to retreat to the temps the Romans pursued and a the temps the Romans pursued and a the temps the Romans pursued and a second battle was flawed alongside that second battle was flawed alongside that second battle was flawed alongside that River with the Romans again River with the Romans again River with the Romans again winning having secured a safe crossing winning having secured a safe crossing winning having secured a safe crossing point on the temps which appears to have point on the temps which appears to have point on the temps which appears to have been the initial strategic goal of the been the initial strategic goal of the been the initial strategic goal of the invasion podus sent word to Claudius to invasion podus sent word to Claudius to invasion podus sent word to Claudius to join him so the emperor could get in on join him so the emperor could get in on join him so the emperor could get in on the action before it was too late the action before it was too late the action before it was too late arriving with reinforcements including arriving with reinforcements including arriving with reinforcements including 16 war elephants Claudius met up with

16 war elephants Claudius met up with 16 war elephants Claudius met up with plaus and together they pushed into the plaus and together they pushed into the plaus and together they pushed into the home tribal territory of tood dumus and home tribal territory of tood dumus and home tribal territory of tood dumus and katus though at some point between the katus though at some point between the katus though at some point between the battle on the tames and the final battle on the tames and the final battle on the tames and the final surrender tood dumus appears to have surrender tood dumus appears to have surrender tood dumus appears to have died though catticus refused to give up died though catticus refused to give up died though catticus refused to give up 11 other local Kings decided further 11 other local Kings decided further 11 other local Kings decided further resistance with suicidal and surrendered resistance with suicidal and surrendered resistance with suicidal and surrendered and massed to and massed to and massed to Claudius Southeast Britain was now in Claudius Southeast Britain was now in Claudius Southeast Britain was now in Roman hands and the occupying Force set Roman hands and the occupying Force set Roman hands and the occupying Force set up a base of operations in a site that up a base of operations in a site that up a base of operations in a site that they named and there's no way I'm they named and there's no way I'm they named and there's no way I'm pronouncing this correctly Camelo Dunham pronouncing this correctly Camelo Dunham pronouncing this correctly Camelo Dunham which is today the site of Colchester in which is today the site of Colchester in which is today the site of Colchester in Essex County there is a map of all this Essex County there is a map of all this Essex County there is a map of all this posted on this week's episode so be sure posted on this week's episode so be sure posted on this week's episode so be sure to go to the history of rome. to go to the history of rome. to go to the history of rome. typepad.com and download typepad.com and download typepad.com and download that staying just long enough to bask in that staying just long enough to bask in that staying just long enough to bask in the glow of Victory Claudius returned to the glow of Victory Claudius returned to the glow of Victory Claudius returned to Rome and celebrated a Rome and celebrated a Rome and celebrated a Triumph while he certainly did more than Triumph while he certainly did more than Triumph while he certainly did more than Caligula had done to earn his Triumph Caligula had done to earn his Triumph Caligula had done to earn his Triumph Claudius was no military man and didn't Claudius was no military man and didn't Claudius was no military man and didn't really contribute anything to the really contribute anything to the really contribute anything to the victory it would be a few years yet victory it would be a few years yet victory it would be a few years yet before Rome would see another Emperor before Rome would see another Emperor before Rome would see another Emperor who had a respectable military record as who had a respectable military record as who had a respectable military record as Nero would prove as inep as his Nero would prove as inep as his Nero would prove as inep as his immediate predecessors at military immediate predecessors at military immediate predecessors at military Affairs in fact the man who will emerge Affairs in fact the man who will emerge Affairs in fact the man who will emerge from the chaos of 69 ad was actually from the chaos of 69 ad was actually from the chaos of 69 ad was actually building his respectable military record building his respectable military record building his respectable military record in Britain as we speak the future in Britain as we speak the future in Britain as we speak the future emperor of espian commanded one of the emperor of espian commanded one of the emperor of espian commanded one of the invading Legions and after the Romans invading Legions and after the Romans invading Legions and after the Romans set up a base in Essex he led his army set up a base in Essex he led his army set up a base in Essex he led his army West all the way to exiter extending West all the way to exiter extending West all the way to exiter extending Roman control over the southern coast of Roman control over the southern coast of Roman control over the southern coast of Britain another force was sent North

Britain another force was sent North Britain another force was sent North and within 4 years of arriving the and within 4 years of arriving the and within 4 years of arriving the Romans were firmly in command of roughly Romans were firmly in command of roughly Romans were firmly in command of roughly the territory southeast of an imaginary the territory southeast of an imaginary the territory southeast of an imaginary line you draw between the Severn and line you draw between the Severn and line you draw between the Severn and Humber estuaries it's all on the map with his reforms of the state map with his reforms of the state bureaucracy paying off and his quest to bureaucracy paying off and his quest to bureaucracy paying off and his quest to add a valuable new Province to the add a valuable new Province to the add a valuable new Province to the Empire success Claudius was off and Empire success Claudius was off and Empire success Claudius was off and running next week though we'll get into running next week though we'll get into running next week though we'll get into the one area where Claudius really was a the one area where Claudius really was a the one area where Claudius really was a complete disaster his personal life complete disaster his personal life complete disaster his personal life married a total of four times Claudius married a total of four times Claudius married a total of four times Claudius was always struggling with the women in was always struggling with the women in was always struggling with the women in his life the wife he came into office his life the wife he came into office his life the wife he came into office with actually wound up secretly marrying with actually wound up secretly marrying with actually wound up secretly marrying another man behind claudius's back so he another man behind claudius's back so he another man behind claudius's back so he had to dumb her and then he wound up had to dumb her and then he wound up had to dumb her and then he wound up married to his niece and she probably married to his niece and she probably married to his niece and she probably killed killed killed him all through his marital problems him all through his marital problems him all through his marital problems Claudius was forced to fend off constant Claudius was forced to fend off constant Claudius was forced to fend off constant assassination plots leading him to try assassination plots leading him to try assassination plots leading him to try and execute more than 300 equestrians and execute more than 300 equestrians and execute more than 300 equestrians and Senators during his years in power and Senators during his years in power and Senators during his years in power it is amazing he managed to last as long it is amazing he managed to last as long it is amazing he managed to last as long as he as he as he [Music] [Music] [Music] did hello and welcome to the history of did hello and welcome to the history of did hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 62 take my wife please in the uncertain days after the please in the uncertain days after the assassination of Caligula the people of assassination of Caligula the people of assassination of Caligula the people of Rome must have wondered whether or not

Rome must have wondered whether or not Rome must have wondered whether or not they had now actually seen the worst the they had now actually seen the worst the they had now actually seen the worst the Imperial Dynasty could throw at them Imperial Dynasty could throw at them Imperial Dynasty could throw at them they had after all thought the worst was they had after all thought the worst was they had after all thought the worst was behind them once before after tyberius behind them once before after tyberius behind them once before after tyberius who had spent the last half of his reign who had spent the last half of his reign who had spent the last half of his reign as a paranoid as a paranoid as a paranoid recluse but everyone soon realized that recluse but everyone soon realized that recluse but everyone soon realized that Caligula was a debauched Madman who just Caligula was a debauched Madman who just Caligula was a debauched Madman who just took everything that made tiberias his took everything that made tiberias his took everything that made tiberias his final years unbearable and times them by final years unbearable and times them by final years unbearable and times them by 10 so when kig was murdered it is 10 so when kig was murdered it is 10 so when kig was murdered it is understandable that the Romans were a understandable that the Romans were a understandable that the Romans were a bit gun-shy about their next Emperor as bit gun-shy about their next Emperor as bit gun-shy about their next Emperor as the saying goes fool me once shame on the saying goes fool me once shame on the saying goes fool me once shame on shame on you fool me We Can't Get Fooled shame on you fool me We Can't Get Fooled shame on you fool me We Can't Get Fooled Again so they held their Collective Again so they held their Collective Again so they held their Collective breath as they waited for word from the breath as they waited for word from the breath as they waited for word from the Senate to come about who would be the Senate to come about who would be the Senate to come about who would be the Empire's next princeps it can't possibly Empire's next princeps it can't possibly Empire's next princeps it can't possibly be worse than Caligula can it when word be worse than Caligula can it when word be worse than Caligula can it when word came that it would be Claudius yes Uncle came that it would be Claudius yes Uncle came that it would be Claudius yes Uncle Claudius they must have let go their Claudius they must have let go their Claudius they must have let go their breath with a deflated sigh how breath with a deflated sigh how breath with a deflated sigh how interesting it actually can get worse we interesting it actually can get worse we interesting it actually can get worse we went from a cruel old pervert to a went from a cruel old pervert to a went from a cruel old pervert to a raving madman and now we are left with raving madman and now we are left with raving madman and now we are left with nothing more than a blubbering idiot nothing more than a blubbering idiot nothing more than a blubbering idiot truly we have come the far reaches of truly we have come the far reaches of truly we have come the far reaches of our Mighty Empire and drawn from the our Mighty Empire and drawn from the our Mighty Empire and drawn from the ranks of our citizen body the finest and ranks of our citizen body the finest and ranks of our citizen body the finest and most able men to rule over us Uncle most able men to rule over us Uncle most able men to rule over us Uncle Claudius sweet Jupiter let's go get a Claudius sweet Jupiter let's go get a Claudius sweet Jupiter let's go get a drink but once they had turned their drink but once they had turned their drink but once they had turned their backs in disgust a funny thing happened backs in disgust a funny thing happened backs in disgust a funny thing happened claudus turned out to be not so bad claudus turned out to be not so bad claudus turned out to be not so bad pretty good even did you hear that the pretty good even did you hear that the pretty good even did you hear that the campaigns in Britain are going well that campaigns in Britain are going well that campaigns in Britain are going well that plaus has successfully established a

plaus has successfully established a plaus has successfully established a whole new Province have you seen the new whole new Province have you seen the new whole new Province have you seen the new roads they're not half bad I was in roads they're not half bad I was in roads they're not half bad I was in court the other day and Claudius not court the other day and Claudius not court the other day and Claudius not only presided over cases but his only presided over cases but his only presided over cases but his judgments were measured and reasonable I judgments were measured and reasonable I judgments were measured and reasonable I even saw him ignore the prescribed even saw him ignore the prescribed even saw him ignore the prescribed penalties after a man had been found penalties after a man had been found penalties after a man had been found guilty because no no hear me out because guilty because no no hear me out because guilty because no no hear me out because Justice demanded it I know Justice Justice demanded it I know Justice Justice demanded it I know Justice damnest thing I've ever seen they always damnest thing I've ever seen they always damnest thing I've ever seen they always said Claudius was a stuttering fool and said Claudius was a stuttering fool and said Claudius was a stuttering fool and that may well be but Emperor Claudius that may well be but Emperor Claudius that may well be but Emperor Claudius seems like a pretty good seems like a pretty good seems like a pretty good egg I should pause here for a second and egg I should pause here for a second and egg I should pause here for a second and address something that popped up in the address something that popped up in the address something that popped up in the comment thread last week Veronica was comment thread last week Veronica was comment thread last week Veronica was wondering if she had missed the part wondering if she had missed the part wondering if she had missed the part where suddenly the Romans switched and where suddenly the Romans switched and where suddenly the Romans switched and began referring to their rulers as began referring to their rulers as began referring to their rulers as Emperors rather than princeps as Emperors rather than princeps as Emperors rather than princeps as Augustus had preferred the answer is Augustus had preferred the answer is Augustus had preferred the answer is that well no technically you didn't miss that well no technically you didn't miss that well no technically you didn't miss that part the title Emperor is used that part the title Emperor is used that part the title Emperor is used commonly by historians to label the commonly by historians to label the commonly by historians to label the rulers of the Roman Empire after the rulers of the Roman Empire after the rulers of the Roman Empire after the ascent of Augustus but the Romans ascent of Augustus but the Romans ascent of Augustus but the Romans themselves used a number of different themselves used a number of different themselves used a number of different titles for the man at the top including titles for the man at the top including titles for the man at the top including princeps Augustus and simply princeps Augustus and simply princeps Augustus and simply Caesar the technical meeting of Caesar the technical meeting of Caesar the technical meeting of emperator still carried with it a emperator still carried with it a emperator still carried with it a martial connotation and in fact when martial connotation and in fact when martial connotation and in fact when Claudius ascended to the throne he Claudius ascended to the throne he Claudius ascended to the throne he refused the emperator onorific because refused the emperator onorific because refused the emperator onorific because he had done nothing to earn it not that he had done nothing to earn it not that he had done nothing to earn it not that he didn't want it just that he felt a he didn't want it just that he felt a he didn't want it just that he felt a little awkward being hailed as a great little awkward being hailed as a great little awkward being hailed as a great Commander when the closest he had ever Commander when the closest he had ever Commander when the closest he had ever gotten to a battle was reading about it gotten to a battle was reading about it gotten to a battle was reading about it in a book part of the rationale Behind in a book part of the rationale Behind in a book part of the rationale Behind The Invasion of Britain was to earn the The Invasion of Britain was to earn the The Invasion of Britain was to earn the street credit he would need to actually

street credit he would need to actually street credit he would need to actually accept the accept the accept the title after Claudius the honorific title after Claudius the honorific title after Claudius the honorific emperator was accepted and not accepted emperator was accepted and not accepted emperator was accepted and not accepted or more accurately granted and not or more accurately granted and not or more accurately granted and not granted depending on the man in question granted depending on the man in question granted depending on the man in question but eventually the title did simply but eventually the title did simply but eventually the title did simply become hereditary and thus we have come become hereditary and thus we have come become hereditary and thus we have come to refer to the whole lot of them as to refer to the whole lot of them as to refer to the whole lot of them as Emperor regardless of whether or not Emperor regardless of whether or not Emperor regardless of whether or not they had technically been awarded the they had technically been awarded the they had technically been awarded the title imperator or not the reality of title imperator or not the reality of title imperator or not the reality of how power was Consolidated and how power was Consolidated and how power was Consolidated and legitimized during this period is far legitimized during this period is far legitimized during this period is far more complicated than a Man simply more complicated than a Man simply more complicated than a Man simply becoming Emperor the way a man becomes a becoming Emperor the way a man becomes a becoming Emperor the way a man becomes a king but the effect wound up being king but the effect wound up being king but the effect wound up being basically the same so historians basically the same so historians basically the same so historians shorthand the whole convoluted mess into shorthand the whole convoluted mess into shorthand the whole convoluted mess into a single title and that title is a single title and that title is a single title and that title is Emperor so following convention I have Emperor so following convention I have Emperor so following convention I have found myself calling these men Emperors found myself calling these men Emperors found myself calling these men Emperors even though the Romans themselves did even though the Romans themselves did even though the Romans themselves did not use the word the same way we do I not use the word the same way we do I not use the word the same way we do I would say that it falls under the would say that it falls under the would say that it falls under the category of generally accepted category of generally accepted category of generally accepted principles and practices not technically principles and practices not technically principles and practices not technically accurate but acceptably descriptive accurate but acceptably descriptive accurate but acceptably descriptive enough for auditing purposes so we left off last week with purposes so we left off last week with Claudius overseeing the successful Claudius overseeing the successful Claudius overseeing the successful conclusion of what would prove to be conclusion of what would prove to be conclusion of what would prove to be merely the first phase of the Roman merely the first phase of the Roman merely the first phase of the Roman invasion of Britain general plaus had invasion of Britain general plaus had invasion of Britain general plaus had become governor plaus and he set about become governor plaus and he set about become governor plaus and he set about quickly and efficiently absorbing the quickly and efficiently absorbing the quickly and efficiently absorbing the conquered portions of Southeast conquered portions of Southeast conquered portions of Southeast Britannia into the Britannia into the Britannia into the Empire usually there was a waiting Empire usually there was a waiting Empire usually there was a waiting period after territory is targeted for period after territory is targeted for period after territory is targeted for integration by the Romans during which a integration by the Romans during which a integration by the Romans during which a local client Monarch rules as an ally of local client Monarch rules as an ally of local client Monarch rules as an ally of Rome but there was no beating around the

Rome but there was no beating around the Rome but there was no beating around the bush in Britain as soon as the Romans bush in Britain as soon as the Romans bush in Britain as soon as the Romans had a foothold they began direct had a foothold they began direct had a foothold they began direct Administration not that that foothold Administration not that that foothold Administration not that that foothold was at times anything more than a was at times anything more than a was at times anything more than a foothold mind you it would take until foothold mind you it would take until foothold mind you it would take until the end of the century before the rest the end of the century before the rest the end of the century before the rest of the island was pacified in any of the island was pacified in any of the island was pacified in any meaningful way and even then their meaningful way and even then their meaningful way and even then their dominance only extended so far north the dominance only extended so far north the dominance only extended so far north the emperor hadrin finally decided to Simply emperor hadrin finally decided to Simply emperor hadrin finally decided to Simply build a wall rather than make a play at build a wall rather than make a play at build a wall rather than make a play at Conquering the truly crazy barbarians up Conquering the truly crazy barbarians up Conquering the truly crazy barbarians up in the highlands of of the far north in the highlands of of the far north in the highlands of of the far north there's a funny line I heard about that there's a funny line I heard about that there's a funny line I heard about that once that I've always remembered even once that I've always remembered even once that I've always remembered even though I have no idea who said it that though I have no idea who said it that though I have no idea who said it that went something like hadrien decided to went something like hadrien decided to went something like hadrien decided to build his wall so the Scots would be build his wall so the Scots would be build his wall so the Scots would be left undisturbed in their never-ending left undisturbed in their never-ending left undisturbed in their never-ending war against their mortal enemies the war against their mortal enemies the war against their mortal enemies the Scots which I think sums up the whole Scots which I think sums up the whole Scots which I think sums up the whole situation nicely but I'm getting ahead situation nicely but I'm getting ahead situation nicely but I'm getting ahead of myself plaus remained as Governor of myself plaus remained as Governor of myself plaus remained as Governor until 47 and spent the majority of his until 47 and spent the majority of his until 47 and spent the majority of his time and energy consolidating the Roman time and energy consolidating the Roman time and energy consolidating the Roman position building veteran settlements position building veteran settlements position building veteran settlements and getting the locals to fall in line and getting the locals to fall in line and getting the locals to fall in line with his new tax policies when plaus was with his new tax policies when plaus was with his new tax policies when plaus was replaced by aorus scapa though the new replaced by aorus scapa though the new replaced by aorus scapa though the new governor decided to push West into governor decided to push West into governor decided to push West into Wales The Fugitive British leader Wales The Fugitive British leader Wales The Fugitive British leader karakus had fallen back to the karakus had fallen back to the karakus had fallen back to the defensible Western quarter of the island defensible Western quarter of the island defensible Western quarter of the island and was using it as a base to run a and was using it as a base to run a and was using it as a base to run a Guerilla Insurrection against the Roman Guerilla Insurrection against the Roman Guerilla Insurrection against the Roman occupation he spent years harassing and occupation he spent years harassing and occupation he spent years harassing and confounding the Romans until he was confounding the Romans until he was confounding the Romans until he was finally drawn into a set battle in 50 ad finally drawn into a set battle in 50 ad finally drawn into a set battle in 50 ad though the king set himself up as best though the king set himself up as best though the king set himself up as best he could taking The High Ground and

he could taking The High Ground and he could taking The High Ground and building a decent string of building a decent string of building a decent string of fortifications the Romans were able to fortifications the Romans were able to fortifications the Romans were able to penetrate the defenses and once inside penetrate the defenses and once inside penetrate the defenses and once inside the British line cut through the locals the British line cut through the locals the British line cut through the locals with ruthless with ruthless with ruthless efficiency the Romans captured kraus' efficiency the Romans captured kraus' efficiency the Romans captured kraus' wife and brothers but the chief himself wife and brothers but the chief himself wife and brothers but the chief himself managed to slip away he fled North and managed to slip away he fled North and managed to slip away he fled North and tried to take refuge with a neighboring tried to take refuge with a neighboring tried to take refuge with a neighboring tribe but the Roman Allied Queen of the tribe but the Roman Allied Queen of the tribe but the Roman Allied Queen of the territory immediately handed catticus territory immediately handed catticus territory immediately handed catticus over to the Romans as a show of loyalty over to the Romans as a show of loyalty over to the Romans as a show of loyalty to the new foreign and to the new foreign and to the new foreign and overlords with that the most prominent overlords with that the most prominent overlords with that the most prominent and able leader of the British and able leader of the British and able leader of the British resistance was whisked off the island resistance was whisked off the island resistance was whisked off the island and taken back to Rome where he was and taken back to Rome where he was and taken back to Rome where he was paraded around as a prized paraded around as a prized paraded around as a prized treasure but unlike say vers and jeder treasure but unlike say vers and jeder treasure but unlike say vers and jeder who roted Away In A Cell for years until who roted Away In A Cell for years until who roted Away In A Cell for years until Caesar found the time to have him Caesar found the time to have him Caesar found the time to have him strangled katus was dealt with strangled katus was dealt with strangled katus was dealt with immediately and surprisingly after immediately and surprisingly after immediately and surprisingly after impressing the Romans with the utterly impressing the Romans with the utterly impressing the Romans with the utterly unrepentant way that he carried himself unrepentant way that he carried himself unrepentant way that he carried himself they let him they let him they let him live he had requested and receive live he had requested and receive live he had requested and receive received an audience with the Senate and received an audience with the Senate and received an audience with the Senate and when he stood before them he gave a when he stood before them he gave a when he stood before them he gave a memorable speech that wound up saving memorable speech that wound up saving memorable speech that wound up saving his life he said I had horses men arms his life he said I had horses men arms his life he said I had horses men arms and wealth what wonder if I was and wealth what wonder if I was and wealth what wonder if I was unwilling to lose them if you wish to unwilling to lose them if you wish to unwilling to lose them if you wish to command everyone does it really follow command everyone does it really follow command everyone does it really follow that everyone should accept your that everyone should accept your that everyone should accept your slavery if I were now being handed over slavery if I were now being handed over slavery if I were now being handed over as one who had surrendered immediately as one who had surrendered immediately as one who had surrendered immediately neither my fortune nor Your Glory would neither my fortune nor Your Glory would neither my fortune nor Your Glory would have achieved have achieved have achieved Brilliance then he asked the point blank Brilliance then he asked the point blank Brilliance then he asked the point blank to spare his life so that he could to spare his life so that he could to spare his life so that he could remain an eternal symbol of Rome's

remain an eternal symbol of Rome's remain an eternal symbol of Rome's clemency really it was a Savvy bit of clemency really it was a Savvy bit of clemency really it was a Savvy bit of work for a man facing almost certain work for a man facing almost certain work for a man facing almost certain execution and the audacity of the whole execution and the audacity of the whole execution and the audacity of the whole spectacle impressed Claudius and the spectacle impressed Claudius and the spectacle impressed Claudius and the emperor spared the British King's life emperor spared the British King's life emperor spared the British King's life allowing him to set up a nice little allowing him to set up a nice little allowing him to set up a nice little farm in Italy to live out the rest of farm in Italy to live out the rest of farm in Italy to live out the rest of his his his days before he passes from our narrative days before he passes from our narrative days before he passes from our narrative I will let catticus have one final word I will let catticus have one final word I will let catticus have one final word touring Rome he was impressed with the touring Rome he was impressed with the touring Rome he was impressed with the Splendor of the great capital and Splendor of the great capital and Splendor of the great capital and remarked and can you then who have such remarked and can you then who have such remarked and can you then who have such possessions and so many of them covet possessions and so many of them covet possessions and so many of them covet our poor our poor our poor tents which I think is a question worth asking with his success in policy and in asking with his success in policy and in war Claudius was cementing a reputation war Claudius was cementing a reputation war Claudius was cementing a reputation for overseeing a pretty competent for overseeing a pretty competent for overseeing a pretty competent Administration like I said last week Administration like I said last week Administration like I said last week though more than a few Romans were though more than a few Romans were though more than a few Romans were unwilling to believe that Claudius was unwilling to believe that Claudius was unwilling to believe that Claudius was really calling the shots so running really calling the shots so running really calling the shots so running parallel and in opposition to this parallel and in opposition to this parallel and in opposition to this reputation for running a pretty pretty reputation for running a pretty pretty reputation for running a pretty pretty good ship was a reputation for having a good ship was a reputation for having a good ship was a reputation for having a pretty good ship run him and it wasn't pretty good ship run him and it wasn't pretty good ship run him and it wasn't just his Freedman who were said to Pilot just his Freedman who were said to Pilot just his Freedman who were said to Pilot Claudius around it was also his various Claudius around it was also his various Claudius around it was also his various wives Claudius never had the best luck wives Claudius never had the best luck wives Claudius never had the best luck with women his obvious physical defects with women his obvious physical defects with women his obvious physical defects made marrying him quite a bit more made marrying him quite a bit more made marrying him quite a bit more difficult than finding a suitable mate difficult than finding a suitable mate difficult than finding a suitable mate for his brother or sister the first time for his brother or sister the first time for his brother or sister the first time the Imperial family found somebody to the Imperial family found somebody to the Imperial family found somebody to say yes to an engagement the match was say yes to an engagement the match was say yes to an engagement the match was soon after broken off for Poli iCal soon after broken off for Poli iCal soon after broken off for Poli iCal reasons his next fiance lasted all the reasons his next fiance lasted all the reasons his next fiance lasted all the way to the altar but then died on their

way to the altar but then died on their way to the altar but then died on their wedding day so for Claudius that would wedding day so for Claudius that would wedding day so for Claudius that would be o for two his third marriage attempt be o for two his third marriage attempt be o for two his third marriage attempt finally took and he was paired with a finally took and he was paired with a finally took and he was paired with a woman named plaia urgal Lilla the woman named plaia urgal Lilla the woman named plaia urgal Lilla the daughter of a friend of Livia basically daughter of a friend of Livia basically daughter of a friend of Livia basically the Augusto was ow a favor and she the Augusto was ow a favor and she the Augusto was ow a favor and she cashed it cashed it cashed it in the union produced claudius's first in the union produced claudius's first in the union produced claudius's first child a son named Claudius drusus who child a son named Claudius drusus who child a son named Claudius drusus who tragically died of asphixiation when he tragically died of asphixiation when he tragically died of asphixiation when he was just entering his team was just entering his team was just entering his team the marriage was destined for a similar the marriage was destined for a similar the marriage was destined for a similar fate and in 24 ad urgan was not only fate and in 24 ad urgan was not only fate and in 24 ad urgan was not only accused of adultery but also that she accused of adultery but also that she accused of adultery but also that she had conspired to murder her had conspired to murder her had conspired to murder her sister-in-law after their divorce was sister-in-law after their divorce was sister-in-law after their divorce was finalized urgal andilla gave birth to a finalized urgal andilla gave birth to a finalized urgal andilla gave birth to a second child a daughter named Claudia second child a daughter named Claudia second child a daughter named Claudia who Claudius repudiated as it was widely who Claudius repudiated as it was widely who Claudius repudiated as it was widely known that he was not even the father so known that he was not even the father so known that he was not even the father so far not so far not so far not so good a bachelor once more Claudius was good a bachelor once more Claudius was good a bachelor once more Claudius was targeted by sanus as the perfect match targeted by sanus as the perfect match targeted by sanus as the perfect match for the prefect's adopted sister pytina for the prefect's adopted sister pytina for the prefect's adopted sister pytina floating like a leaf down the tumultuous floating like a leaf down the tumultuous floating like a leaf down the tumultuous River of Roman politics claudus no doubt River of Roman politics claudus no doubt River of Roman politics claudus no doubt saw the value in being related to the saw the value in being related to the saw the value in being related to the ruthlessly ambitious sanus as the ruthlessly ambitious sanus as the ruthlessly ambitious sanus as the prefect star was Rising so Claudius prefect star was Rising so Claudius prefect star was Rising so Claudius allowed himself to be used as a conduit allowed himself to be used as a conduit allowed himself to be used as a conduit for S janus's entry into the Julio for S janus's entry into the Julio for S janus's entry into the Julio claudian family and he married pytina in claudian family and he married pytina in claudian family and he married pytina in 28 28 28 ad once sanus fell though Claus couldn't ad once sanus fell though Claus couldn't ad once sanus fell though Claus couldn't afford any connections to the disgraced afford any connections to the disgraced afford any connections to the disgraced prefect and he divorced his wife prefect and he divorced his wife prefect and he divorced his wife while those around him drowned Claudius while those around him drowned Claudius while those around him drowned Claudius continued to float down

continued to float down continued to float down river his next marriage came after river his next marriage came after river his next marriage came after kaligula ascended to the throne whether kaligula ascended to the throne whether kaligula ascended to the throne whether by lock or design Claudius paired up by lock or design Claudius paired up by lock or design Claudius paired up with a regular and influential member of with a regular and influential member of with a regular and influential member of the young Emperor's Court a woman named the young Emperor's Court a woman named the young Emperor's Court a woman named Valeria Valeria Valeria mesalina mesalina was an ambitious woman mesalina mesalina was an ambitious woman mesalina mesalina was an ambitious woman and while it sure seems to be the case and while it sure seems to be the case and while it sure seems to be the case that nobody really wanted to marry that nobody really wanted to marry that nobody really wanted to marry Claudius mesalina was pretty excited to Claudius mesalina was pretty excited to Claudius mesalina was pretty excited to at least be marrying the Uncle of the at least be marrying the Uncle of the at least be marrying the Uncle of the emperor that that Uncle was well emperor that that Uncle was well emperor that that Uncle was well Claudius was no great problem mesalina Claudius was no great problem mesalina Claudius was no great problem mesalina wasn't planning on being tied down if wasn't planning on being tied down if wasn't planning on being tied down if you know what I you know what I you know what I mean the match worked out well for both mean the match worked out well for both mean the match worked out well for both of them for a time mesalina was married of them for a time mesalina was married of them for a time mesalina was married into the Imperial family and Claudius into the Imperial family and Claudius into the Imperial family and Claudius now had an additional layer of now had an additional layer of now had an additional layer of protection to get him through the crazy protection to get him through the crazy protection to get him through the crazy years of kul's years of kul's years of kul's Reign mesalina fit right in with Reign mesalina fit right in with Reign mesalina fit right in with Caligula's court and had some influence Caligula's court and had some influence Caligula's court and had some influence over the emperor so because Melina over the emperor so because Melina over the emperor so because Melina needed CLA to cement her ties with the needed CLA to cement her ties with the needed CLA to cement her ties with the family she would always be a fierce family she would always be a fierce family she would always be a fierce Advocate within Caligula's Inner Circle Advocate within Caligula's Inner Circle Advocate within Caligula's Inner Circle to not execute Claudius should the whim to not execute Claudius should the whim to not execute Claudius should the whim to do so crop up which reportedly it did to do so crop up which reportedly it did to do so crop up which reportedly it did on more than one on more than one on more than one occasion together if usually apart occasion together if usually apart occasion together if usually apart Claudius and mesalina survived the Claudius and mesalina survived the Claudius and mesalina survived the random Madness of Caligula and after random Madness of Caligula and after random Madness of Caligula and after Claudius ascended to the throne mesalina Claudius ascended to the throne mesalina Claudius ascended to the throne mesalina suddenly and surprisingly found herself suddenly and surprisingly found herself suddenly and surprisingly found herself Empress which was I think an ambition Empress which was I think an ambition Empress which was I think an ambition Beyond her Wildest Beyond her Wildest Beyond her Wildest Dreams she four Claudia's two children a Dreams she four Claudia's two children a Dreams she four Claudia's two children a daughter named Claudia Octavia who will daughter named Claudia Octavia who will daughter named Claudia Octavia who will eventually marry Nero and a son called

eventually marry Nero and a son called eventually marry Nero and a son called britannicus named in honor of his britannicus named in honor of his britannicus named in honor of his father's recent Triumph in father's recent Triumph in father's recent Triumph in Britain now she was not only the wife of Britain now she was not only the wife of Britain now she was not only the wife of the emperor but also the mother of the the emperor but also the mother of the the emperor but also the mother of the AA parent AA parent AA parent britannicus not since Livia had Rome britannicus not since Livia had Rome britannicus not since Livia had Rome seen a woman in such a powerful position seen a woman in such a powerful position seen a woman in such a powerful position and mesalina like Livia before her did and mesalina like Livia before her did and mesalina like Livia before her did not hesitate to use her new found not hesitate to use her new found not hesitate to use her new found powers no shrinking violet Melina jumped powers no shrinking violet Melina jumped powers no shrinking violet Melina jumped right into politics and using Claudius right into politics and using Claudius right into politics and using Claudius as her instrument the empress usually as her instrument the empress usually as her instrument the empress usually had her had her had her way unfortunately she did not whisper in way unfortunately she did not whisper in way unfortunately she did not whisper in the emperor's ear to turn his attention the emperor's ear to turn his attention the emperor's ear to turn his attention towards this neglected policy or make towards this neglected policy or make towards this neglected policy or make him an advocate for that necessary him an advocate for that necessary him an advocate for that necessary reform no not anything so useful as reform no not anything so useful as reform no not anything so useful as that the empress was an insecure woman that the empress was an insecure woman that the empress was an insecure woman and well aware that Claudius was old and and well aware that Claudius was old and and well aware that Claudius was old and had a history of physical problems if he had a history of physical problems if he had a history of physical problems if he were to die she knew that she would lose were to die she knew that she would lose were to die she knew that she would lose everything just as quickly as she' everything just as quickly as she' everything just as quickly as she' gained it so the first and last order of gained it so the first and last order of gained it so the first and last order of business was securing her own position business was securing her own position business was securing her own position and it was toward that end alone that and it was toward that end alone that and it was toward that end alone that she whispered in the emperor's she whispered in the emperor's she whispered in the emperor's ear luckily in the political climate of ear luckily in the political climate of ear luckily in the political climate of the times allowed mesalina to operate the times allowed mesalina to operate the times allowed mesalina to operate probably with the aid of narcissus a probably with the aid of narcissus a probably with the aid of narcissus a sort of Shadow Purge mechanism to deal sort of Shadow Purge mechanism to deal sort of Shadow Purge mechanism to deal with men and women and children she with men and women and children she with men and women and children she considered a threat to her considered a threat to her considered a threat to her personally there were so many real plots personally there were so many real plots personally there were so many real plots against claudius's life to be dealt with against claudius's life to be dealt with against claudius's life to be dealt with that when the emperor's wife and most that when the emperor's wife and most that when the emperor's wife and most Trust Ed adviser brought some new list Trust Ed adviser brought some new list Trust Ed adviser brought some new list of names and assured him that they had of names and assured him that they had of names and assured him that they had discovered some new conspiracy it did discovered some new conspiracy it did discovered some new conspiracy it did not really set off any warning

not really set off any warning not really set off any warning Bells consules EXC consuls influential Bells consules EXC consuls influential Bells consules EXC consuls influential women upand cominging Senators academics women upand cominging Senators academics women upand cominging Senators academics if mesalina thought they might cause her if mesalina thought they might cause her if mesalina thought they might cause her problems it was Exile or execution problems it was Exile or execution problems it was Exile or execution Claudius did not ask too many questions but it was not just Melina's questions but it was not just Melina's concern about claudius's health that concern about claudius's health that concern about claudius's health that drove her it was also the fact that she drove her it was also the fact that she drove her it was also the fact that she daily flirted with Disaster by making a daily flirted with Disaster by making a daily flirted with Disaster by making a persistent cuckold of her persistent cuckold of her persistent cuckold of her husband the ancient historians are husband the ancient historians are husband the ancient historians are unanimous in their judgment of the unanimous in their judgment of the unanimous in their judgment of the empress she was a vain cruel empress she was a vain cruel empress she was a vain cruel nymphomaniac who disgraced Rome and nymphomaniac who disgraced Rome and nymphomaniac who disgraced Rome and brought nothing but shame upon herself brought nothing but shame upon herself brought nothing but shame upon herself and her and her and her husband mesalina cheated early and often husband mesalina cheated early and often husband mesalina cheated early and often on Claudius with men born both high and on Claudius with men born both high and on Claudius with men born both high and low her activities were widely low her activities were widely low her activities were widely documented and well-known but it seems documented and well-known but it seems documented and well-known but it seems that no one had the heart or the courage that no one had the heart or the courage that no one had the heart or the courage to tell Claudius what was going on so he to tell Claudius what was going on so he to tell Claudius what was going on so he remained the one man in the Empire who remained the one man in the Empire who remained the one man in the Empire who didn't know what his wife was up didn't know what his wife was up didn't know what his wife was up to in addition to her regular Liaisons to in addition to her regular Liaisons to in addition to her regular Liaisons with senators and actors poets slaves with senators and actors poets slaves with senators and actors poets slaves and soldiers there is a famous story of and soldiers there is a famous story of and soldiers there is a famous story of her competition with a well-known her competition with a well-known her competition with a well-known prostitute to see which of them could prostitute to see which of them could prostitute to see which of them could sleep with the most men in a single day sleep with the most men in a single day sleep with the most men in a single day mesalina mesalina mesalina 1 so the empress needed to make sure her 1 so the empress needed to make sure her 1 so the empress needed to make sure her power had a base independent of Claudius power had a base independent of Claudius power had a base independent of Claudius because who knows when her Dian is are because who knows when her Dian is are because who knows when her Dian is are going to finally catch up with her and going to finally catch up with her and going to finally catch up with her and trigger a trigger a trigger a divorce eventually mesalina got careless divorce eventually mesalina got careless divorce eventually mesalina got careless or grew emboldened if there is a

or grew emboldened if there is a or grew emboldened if there is a difference between the two and began to difference between the two and began to difference between the two and began to move away from Simply running around move away from Simply running around move away from Simply running around behind claudius's back her marriage was behind claudius's back her marriage was behind claudius's back her marriage was obviously a sham and she knew that obviously a sham and she knew that obviously a sham and she knew that eventually Claudius would find out and eventually Claudius would find out and eventually Claudius would find out and that would be the end of her plus that would be the end of her plus that would be the end of her plus germanicus his daughter agripina the germanicus his daughter agripina the germanicus his daughter agripina the younger had been recalled from Exile younger had been recalled from Exile younger had been recalled from Exile with her son Lucius Demus aab barbus the with her son Lucius Demus aab barbus the with her son Lucius Demus aab barbus the future emperor Nero future emperor Nero future emperor Nero the people had always had a soft spot in the people had always had a soft spot in the people had always had a soft spot in their hearts for germanicus as family their hearts for germanicus as family their hearts for germanicus as family and when she arrived agripinaa was and when she arrived agripinaa was and when she arrived agripinaa was greeted warmly by the people at the greeted warmly by the people at the greeted warmly by the people at the secular Games held in 47 ad to celebrate secular Games held in 47 ad to celebrate secular Games held in 47 ad to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the 800th anniversary of the founding of Rome agripina and her son received much Rome agripina and her son received much Rome agripina and her son received much more Applause than mesalina and her more Applause than mesalina and her more Applause than mesalina and her son the implication was clear agripina son the implication was clear agripina son the implication was clear agripina and Lucius were full Julians descended and Lucius were full Julians descended and Lucius were full Julians descended directly from the Divine Augustus Melina directly from the Divine Augustus Melina directly from the Divine Augustus Melina meanwhile had no Blood Ties to the clan meanwhile had no Blood Ties to the clan meanwhile had no Blood Ties to the clan and her son was merely a and her son was merely a and her son was merely a claudian agripina as ambitious a woman claudian agripina as ambitious a woman claudian agripina as ambitious a woman as Rome had ever known was clearly as Rome had ever known was clearly as Rome had ever known was clearly laying the groundwork for her son the laying the groundwork for her son the laying the groundwork for her son the grandson of germanicus to ascend to the grandson of germanicus to ascend to the grandson of germanicus to ascend to the throne when Claudius was throne when Claudius was throne when Claudius was Gone with a ready alternative air Gone with a ready alternative air Gone with a ready alternative air perhaps even a more desirable air perhaps even a more desirable air perhaps even a more desirable air standing by mesalina could feel her standing by mesalina could feel her standing by mesalina could feel her leverage slipping she was no longer as leverage slipping she was no longer as leverage slipping she was no longer as indispensable as she had once thought indispensable as she had once thought indispensable as she had once thought herself her solution to this problem was herself her solution to this problem was herself her solution to this problem was not to reform her ways and devote not to reform her ways and devote not to reform her ways and devote herself to Claudius and make sure that herself to Claudius and make sure that herself to Claudius and make sure that britannicus was always the first and britannicus was always the first and britannicus was always the first and last name on the list of heirs but last name on the list of heirs but last name on the list of heirs but instead she schemed to get rid of

instead she schemed to get rid of instead she schemed to get rid of Claudius altogether before he had a Claudius altogether before he had a Claudius altogether before he had a chance to turn on chance to turn on chance to turn on her she had powerful friends and more her she had powerful friends and more her she had powerful friends and more than enough of them wanted the Julio than enough of them wanted the Julio than enough of them wanted the Julio claudians expelled from power that she claudians expelled from power that she claudians expelled from power that she decided to ditch the stuttering Emperor decided to ditch the stuttering Emperor decided to ditch the stuttering Emperor and with senatorial support find a new and with senatorial support find a new and with senatorial support find a new husband and Elevate him to the throne husband and Elevate him to the throne husband and Elevate him to the throne the Julio claudians would be out the Julio claudians would be out the Julio claudians would be out how exactly she thought this was going how exactly she thought this was going how exactly she thought this was going to work is sort of an open question as to work is sort of an open question as to work is sort of an open question as in hindsight the whole plot looks not in hindsight the whole plot looks not in hindsight the whole plot looks not even half baked but more like the mix is even half baked but more like the mix is even half baked but more like the mix is still sitting in a bowl on the still sitting in a bowl on the still sitting in a bowl on the counter mesalina had hooked up with a counter mesalina had hooked up with a counter mesalina had hooked up with a console designate named gyus an console designate named gyus an console designate named gyus an attractive intelligent and well-bred man attractive intelligent and well-bred man attractive intelligent and well-bred man who mesalina hoped would make a fine who mesalina hoped would make a fine who mesalina hoped would make a fine Emperor They carried on an affair behind Emperor They carried on an affair behind Emperor They carried on an affair behind the backs of both of their spouses until the backs of both of their spouses until the backs of both of their spouses until mesalina demanded in some sort of test mesalina demanded in some sort of test mesalina demanded in some sort of test of love and loyalty that selus divorce of love and loyalty that selus divorce of love and loyalty that selus divorce his wife the senator complied and then his wife the senator complied and then his wife the senator complied and then began to exert pressure on mesalina to began to exert pressure on mesalina to began to exert pressure on mesalina to do the same they were both Way Beyond do the same they were both Way Beyond do the same they were both Way Beyond the point of no return everyone knew the point of no return everyone knew the point of no return everyone knew that they were lovers and why cilus had that they were lovers and why cilus had that they were lovers and why cilus had divorced his wife so they may as well go divorced his wife so they may as well go divorced his wife so they may as well go all in finally mesalina agreed that it all in finally mesalina agreed that it all in finally mesalina agreed that it was time for them to make their move was time for them to make their move was time for them to make their move they would wed first and then kill they would wed first and then kill they would wed first and then kill Claudius silus the husband of the Claudius silus the husband of the Claudius silus the husband of the empress would step into power and every empress would step into power and every empress would step into power and every everything would be super duper except everything would be super duper except everything would be super duper except what did they really think that they what did they really think that they what did they really think that they would be able to get married without the would be able to get married without the would be able to get married without the emperor finding out about it and that emperor finding out about it and that emperor finding out about it and that once he found out that his wife had you

once he found out that his wife had you once he found out that his wife had you know openly left him for another man know openly left him for another man know openly left him for another man that her position of empress would not that her position of empress would not that her position of empress would not be be be compromised the whole episode is just compromised the whole episode is just compromised the whole episode is just weirdly unthought weirdly unthought weirdly unthought out regardless in 48 when Claus was an out regardless in 48 when Claus was an out regardless in 48 when Claus was an osta overseeing a construction project osta overseeing a construction project osta overseeing a construction project aelina and silus got married and not aelina and silus got married and not aelina and silus got married and not some secret wedding where the Witnesses some secret wedding where the Witnesses some secret wedding where the Witnesses are sworn not to reveal what they have are sworn not to reveal what they have are sworn not to reveal what they have seen and the priest is killed afterwards seen and the priest is killed afterwards seen and the priest is killed afterwards no a big lavish ceremony drinks dancing no a big lavish ceremony drinks dancing no a big lavish ceremony drinks dancing the works all right out in the open the works all right out in the open the works all right out in the open narcissus finally decided at this point narcissus finally decided at this point narcissus finally decided at this point that things had gone far enough well way that things had gone far enough well way that things had gone far enough well way too far actually and resolved now to too far actually and resolved now to too far actually and resolved now to tell the truth to Claudius about his tell the truth to Claudius about his tell the truth to Claudius about his wife though narcissus had formed a wife though narcissus had formed a wife though narcissus had formed a convenient alliance with Melina his convenient alliance with Melina his convenient alliance with Melina his first loyalty was to Claudius and and it first loyalty was to Claudius and and it first loyalty was to Claudius and and it was pretty clear that a major coup was was pretty clear that a major coup was was pretty clear that a major coup was in the in the in the works it was time to throw Melina under works it was time to throw Melina under works it was time to throw Melina under the bus narcissus induced two of the bus narcissus induced two of the bus narcissus induced two of claudius's Mistresses yes Claudius had claudius's Mistresses yes Claudius had claudius's Mistresses yes Claudius had Mistresses which was um different to Mistresses which was um different to Mistresses which was um different to reveal the truth about Melina's reveal the truth about Melina's reveal the truth about Melina's infidelity once the Code of Silence was infidelity once the Code of Silence was infidelity once the Code of Silence was broken everyone that Claudius turned to broken everyone that Claudius turned to broken everyone that Claudius turned to for confirmation confirmed the for confirmation confirmed the for confirmation confirmed the stories the emperor headed back to Rome stories the emperor headed back to Rome stories the emperor headed back to Rome but before he arrived mesalina got word but before he arrived mesalina got word but before he arrived mesalina got word that The Jig was up and that her husband that The Jig was up and that her husband that The Jig was up and that her husband now knew everything she packed up the now knew everything she packed up the now knew everything she packed up the children and headed out on the road to children and headed out on the road to children and headed out on the road to osta to intercept Claudius and hopefully osta to intercept Claudius and hopefully osta to intercept Claudius and hopefully talked to him alone before he turned on talked to him alone before he turned on talked to him alone before he turned on her completely but as she approached the

her completely but as she approached the her completely but as she approached the Imperial procession narcissus riding Imperial procession narcissus riding Imperial procession narcissus riding with Claudius openly denounced her and with Claudius openly denounced her and with Claudius openly denounced her and forbade her from speaking with Claudius forbade her from speaking with Claudius forbade her from speaking with Claudius privately mesalina tagged along as the privately mesalina tagged along as the privately mesalina tagged along as the Entourage made its way back to Rome but Entourage made its way back to Rome but Entourage made its way back to Rome but was never able to crack the perimeter was never able to crack the perimeter was never able to crack the perimeter narcissus had set up around the narcissus had set up around the narcissus had set up around the emperor's carriage emperor's carriage emperor's carriage back in the city Claudius was taken back in the city Claudius was taken back in the city Claudius was taken straight away to the home of silus which straight away to the home of silus which straight away to the home of silus which narcissus told him he would practically narcissus told him he would practically narcissus told him he would practically be able to recognize as his own mesalina be able to recognize as his own mesalina be able to recognize as his own mesalina had been transferring Imperial furniture had been transferring Imperial furniture had been transferring Imperial furniture and art into the home of her lover for and art into the home of her lover for and art into the home of her lover for some time and as soon as he walked in some time and as soon as he walked in some time and as soon as he walked in Claudius knew that all the accusations Claudius knew that all the accusations Claudius knew that all the accusations were were were true mesalina tried to deny everything true mesalina tried to deny everything true mesalina tried to deny everything especially the crazy notion that she had especially the crazy notion that she had especially the crazy notion that she had openly married silus I mean how stupid openly married silus I mean how stupid openly married silus I mean how stupid would that be but the literally hundreds would that be but the literally hundreds would that be but the literally hundreds of witnesses to the ceremony were hard of witnesses to the ceremony were hard of witnesses to the ceremony were hard to argue with even still Claudius who to argue with even still Claudius who to argue with even still Claudius who was naturally inclined towards was naturally inclined towards was naturally inclined towards forgiveness wavered over the fate of his forgiveness wavered over the fate of his forgiveness wavered over the fate of his wife narcissus Palace and the other wife narcissus Palace and the other wife narcissus Palace and the other influential fredman were adamant that influential fredman were adamant that influential fredman were adamant that she must be executed and that what she she must be executed and that what she she must be executed and that what she had done was nothing less than treason had done was nothing less than treason had done was nothing less than treason but Claudius but Claudius but Claudius hesitated the story then goes that hesitated the story then goes that hesitated the story then goes that narcissus used the emperor's seal to narcissus used the emperor's seal to narcissus used the emperor's seal to send the execution order himself a send the execution order himself a send the execution order himself a soldier knocked down Melina's door and soldier knocked down Melina's door and soldier knocked down Melina's door and presented her with the warrant giving presented her with the warrant giving presented her with the warrant giving her option of committing suicide if she her option of committing suicide if she her option of committing suicide if she chose but when she could not bring chose but when she could not bring chose but when she could not bring herself to do it the guard stabbed her herself to do it the guard stabbed her herself to do it the guard stabbed her to to to death Claus was informed after the fact death Claus was informed after the fact death Claus was informed after the fact and is reported to have taken the news and is reported to have taken the news and is reported to have taken the news without showing much sign one way or the

without showing much sign one way or the without showing much sign one way or the other that he cared which seems a bit other that he cared which seems a bit other that he cared which seems a bit out of character as he seemed genuinely out of character as he seemed genuinely out of character as he seemed genuinely devoted to her but that's what they devoted to her but that's what they devoted to her but that's what they say tacitus closes his chapter on the say tacitus closes his chapter on the say tacitus closes his chapter on the fall of mesalina with the line the fall of mesalina with the line the fall of mesalina with the line the Vengeance on mesalina was just but it Vengeance on mesalina was just but it Vengeance on mesalina was just but it had terrible consequences had terrible consequences had terrible consequences there will be no episode next week but there will be no episode next week but there will be no episode next week but when we return in two weeks we will get when we return in two weeks we will get when we return in two weeks we will get into those terrible into those terrible into those terrible consequences the emperor couldn't remain consequences the emperor couldn't remain consequences the emperor couldn't remain a bachelor for long and in the search a bachelor for long and in the search a bachelor for long and in the search for a new Empress each of his fredman for a new Empress each of his fredman for a new Empress each of his fredman ministers backed a different ministers backed a different ministers backed a different candidate narcissist advised remarrying candidate narcissist advised remarrying candidate narcissist advised remarrying pytina her daughter with Claudius pytina her daughter with Claudius pytina her daughter with Claudius Claudia Antonia had married a fine young Claudia Antonia had married a fine young Claudia Antonia had married a fine young man named Fus Cornelius Salah Felix a man named Fus Cornelius Salah Felix a man named Fus Cornelius Salah Felix a descendant of the original Salah who was descendant of the original Salah who was descendant of the original Salah who was also a cousin of the central Julio CL also a cousin of the central Julio CL also a cousin of the central Julio CL and Dynasty narcissus had begun to have and Dynasty narcissus had begun to have and Dynasty narcissus had begun to have his doubts about the worth of his doubts about the worth of his doubts about the worth of britannicus as an heir and hoped that britannicus as an heir and hoped that britannicus as an heir and hoped that the older and more experien Fus would the older and more experien Fus would the older and more experien Fus would win the emperor's favor kalistus on the win the emperor's favor kalistus on the win the emperor's favor kalistus on the other hand advised marrying lolia other hand advised marrying lolia other hand advised marrying lolia Paulina an ex-wife of kaligula who he Paulina an ex-wife of kaligula who he Paulina an ex-wife of kaligula who he knew from the time they had spent knew from the time they had spent knew from the time they had spent together in the previous Emperor's together in the previous Emperor's together in the previous Emperor's Court you can see that each of the Court you can see that each of the Court you can see that each of the freedmen was backing a different horse freedmen was backing a different horse freedmen was backing a different horse not just because they thought that their not just because they thought that their not just because they thought that their preferred candidate would be better for preferred candidate would be better for preferred candidate would be better for Claudius but also because thought that Claudius but also because thought that Claudius but also because thought that she would be better for them she would be better for them she would be better for them personally the Secretary of the Treasury personally the Secretary of the Treasury personally the Secretary of the Treasury Palace though would eventually win the Palace though would eventually win the Palace though would eventually win the argument he pushed for a union with argument he pushed for a union with argument he pushed for a union with agripina the Julians and claudians had agripina the Julians and claudians had agripina the Julians and claudians had been split from the time of the Rivalry

been split from the time of the Rivalry been split from the time of the Rivalry between tiberious and germanicus and it between tiberious and germanicus and it between tiberious and germanicus and it was time to heal the was time to heal the was time to heal the rift plus agripina and her son would rift plus agripina and her son would rift plus agripina and her son would always be a rallying point for dissident always be a rallying point for dissident always be a rallying point for dissident as long as they remained outside the as long as they remained outside the as long as they remained outside the dynasty Co-op them and a major threat to dynasty Co-op them and a major threat to dynasty Co-op them and a major threat to Claudius would be instantly Claudius would be instantly Claudius would be instantly eliminated Claudius was moved by these eliminated Claudius was moved by these eliminated Claudius was moved by these last points and decided to marry last points and decided to marry last points and decided to marry agripina on New Year's Day of 48 agripina on New Year's Day of 48 agripina on New Year's Day of 48 ad now this decision was not without ad now this decision was not without ad now this decision was not without controversy we have covered a few controversy we have covered a few controversy we have covered a few marriages so far that would be marriages so far that would be marriages so far that would be considered incestual by our standards considered incestual by our standards considered incestual by our standards but did not raise an eyebrow in ancient but did not raise an eyebrow in ancient but did not raise an eyebrow in ancient Rome but a man marrying the daughter of Rome but a man marrying the daughter of Rome but a man marrying the daughter of his brother that my friends is his brother that my friends is his brother that my friends is incest the people were shocked incest the people were shocked incest the people were shocked scandalized by the news and they hated scandalized by the news and they hated scandalized by the news and they hated it ha hated it hated it but it was not it ha hated it hated it but it was not it ha hated it hated it but it was not the scandalous nature of the marriage the scandalous nature of the marriage the scandalous nature of the marriage that was the terrible consequence that that was the terrible consequence that that was the terrible consequence that tacitus referred to rather it was what tacitus referred to rather it was what tacitus referred to rather it was what happened once agripina got into happened once agripina got into happened once agripina got into Power like Livia before her she strove Power like Livia before her she strove Power like Livia before her she strove with a single-minded purpose to place with a single-minded purpose to place with a single-minded purpose to place her own son on the throne and there is her own son on the throne and there is her own son on the throne and there is no arguing that Nero becoming Emperor no arguing that Nero becoming Emperor no arguing that Nero becoming Emperor was a terrible consequence indeed was a terrible consequence indeed was a terrible consequence indeed [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 63 A Farewell to

Rome episode 63 A Farewell to Rome episode 63 A Farewell to Claudius when we left off last time Claudius when we left off last time Claudius when we left off last time Claudius was being informed that his Claudius was being informed that his Claudius was being informed that his cheating wife mesalina had been executed cheating wife mesalina had been executed cheating wife mesalina had been executed though her crime could easily be written though her crime could easily be written though her crime could easily be written off as a mere personal betrayal when off as a mere personal betrayal when off as a mere personal betrayal when seen from The High Vista of Imperial seen from The High Vista of Imperial seen from The High Vista of Imperial politics in Fidelity becomes politics in Fidelity becomes politics in Fidelity becomes indistinguishable from treason when the indistinguishable from treason when the indistinguishable from treason when the players involved are the emperor and the players involved are the emperor and the players involved are the emperor and the empress simple domestic breakdowns empress simple domestic breakdowns empress simple domestic breakdowns quickly become dangerous Affairs of quickly become dangerous Affairs of quickly become dangerous Affairs of State Molina's taking of a new husband State Molina's taking of a new husband State Molina's taking of a new husband created a dangerous new Power Center in created a dangerous new Power Center in created a dangerous new Power Center in opposition to claudius's existing opposition to claudius's existing opposition to claudius's existing Imperial Court as a result mesalina and Imperial Court as a result mesalina and Imperial Court as a result mesalina and her lover silus were not allowed to her lover silus were not allowed to her lover silus were not allowed to Simply go along their merry way and Simply go along their merry way and Simply go along their merry way and start a new life together tainted a bit start a new life together tainted a bit start a new life together tainted a bit by Scandal But ultimately no worse the by Scandal But ultimately no worse the by Scandal But ultimately no worse the wear no no within days of the revelation wear no no within days of the revelation wear no no within days of the revelation of their secret marriage they were both of their secret marriage they were both of their secret marriage they were both dead silus by suicide mesalina by dead silus by suicide mesalina by dead silus by suicide mesalina by execution a further consequence of the execution a further consequence of the execution a further consequence of the High Vista of political power upon which High Vista of political power upon which High Vista of political power upon which the emperor sat was that there was no the emperor sat was that there was no the emperor sat was that there was no time for mourning the search for a new time for mourning the search for a new time for mourning the search for a new wife began wife began wife began immediately but before we get into the immediately but before we get into the immediately but before we get into the details of claudius's ill-fated marriage details of claudius's ill-fated marriage details of claudius's ill-fated marriage to his niece agripina and the subsequent to his niece agripina and the subsequent to his niece agripina and the subsequent rise to power of her son Nero I want to rise to power of her son Nero I want to rise to power of her son Nero I want to backtrack a little bit and round out the backtrack a little bit and round out the backtrack a little bit and round out the accomplishments and failures of accomplishments and failures of accomplishments and failures of claudius's administration because once claudius's administration because once claudius's administration because once agripinaa gets into the picture dear agripinaa gets into the picture dear agripinaa gets into the picture dear Claudius will not be long for This Claudius will not be long for This Claudius will not be long for This World perhaps the longest lasting World perhaps the longest lasting World perhaps the longest lasting contribution Claudius made to the Empire contribution Claudius made to the Empire contribution Claudius made to the Empire was the series of territorial

was the series of territorial was the series of territorial annexations he annexations he annexations he initiated in addition to the envelopment initiated in addition to the envelopment initiated in addition to the envelopment of Southern Britannia which we have of Southern Britannia which we have of Southern Britannia which we have already covered claudius's 13 years in already covered claudius's 13 years in already covered claudius's 13 years in power saw the creation of a number of power saw the creation of a number of power saw the creation of a number of new provinces in regions that had new provinces in regions that had new provinces in regions that had previously existed only as allies client previously existed only as allies client previously existed only as allies client kingdoms the territories in question kingdoms the territories in question kingdoms the territories in question were already firmly under Roman control were already firmly under Roman control were already firmly under Roman control but Claudius and his fredman Secretariat but Claudius and his fredman Secretariat but Claudius and his fredman Secretariat recognized that the loose transactional recognized that the loose transactional recognized that the loose transactional nature of that control was inefficient nature of that control was inefficient nature of that control was inefficient and ran counter to the centralized and ran counter to the centralized and ran counter to the centralized rational Administration that they were rational Administration that they were rational Administration that they were all working to all working to all working to create probably first on the docket create probably first on the docket create probably first on the docket though I can't seem to nail down a though I can't seem to nail down a though I can't seem to nail down a definitive date was the territory of definitive date was the territory of definitive date was the territory of noram which had maintained its autonomy noram which had maintained its autonomy noram which had maintained its autonomy during the Augustine constitutional during the Augustine constitutional during the Augustine constitutional settlement out of deference for norom settlement out of deference for norom settlement out of deference for norom support of the Caesars during the support of the Caesars during the support of the Caesars during the various Civil Wars this annexation various Civil Wars this annexation various Civil Wars this annexation amounted to little more than declaring amounted to little more than declaring amounted to little more than declaring it so as norom was already fully it so as norom was already fully it so as norom was already fully incorporated into the empire in every incorporated into the empire in every incorporated into the empire in every other sense of the word the locals other sense of the word the locals other sense of the word the locals accepted the change with a shrug and you accepted the change with a shrug and you accepted the change with a shrug and you get the feeling that a few of them might get the feeling that a few of them might get the feeling that a few of them might have actually been surprised to learn have actually been surprised to learn have actually been surprised to learn that they hadn't been a province this that they hadn't been a province this that they hadn't been a province this whole time next up were the territories whole time next up were the territories whole time next up were the territories of Lysa and pilia in southern Anatolia of Lysa and pilia in southern Anatolia of Lysa and pilia in southern Anatolia which were annexed in 43 ad the region which were annexed in 43 ad the region which were annexed in 43 ad the region had existed is an independent Federation had existed is an independent Federation had existed is an independent Federation of cities since the time of the third of cities since the time of the third of cities since the time of the third Macedonian War but like I said it was Macedonian War but like I said it was Macedonian War but like I said it was time to streamline Imperial time to streamline Imperial time to streamline Imperial Administration the locals were proud of Administration the locals were proud of Administration the locals were proud of their independence but put up no great their independence but put up no great their independence but put up no great fight when word came about the fight when word came about the fight when word came about the reorganization finally came the official

reorganization finally came the official reorganization finally came the official seizure of thce the wild country between seizure of thce the wild country between seizure of thce the wild country between Macedonia and the Macedonia and the Macedonia and the hellespont the independent-minded hill hellespont the independent-minded hill hellespont the independent-minded hill tribes of the region had long fought to tribes of the region had long fought to tribes of the region had long fought to maintain Independence not just from Rome maintain Independence not just from Rome maintain Independence not just from Rome but also from each other and when the but also from each other and when the but also from each other and when the Roman backed but vaguely recognized Roman backed but vaguely recognized Roman backed but vaguely recognized client king of quote thce was murdered client king of quote thce was murdered client king of quote thce was murdered in 46 Claudius decided to just impose in 46 Claudius decided to just impose in 46 Claudius decided to just impose Roman order rather than go through Roman order rather than go through Roman order rather than go through another round of intertribal squabbling another round of intertribal squabbling another round of intertribal squabbling about who ought to be the next about who ought to be the next about who ought to be the next king these Acquisitions all went king these Acquisitions all went king these Acquisitions all went relatively smoothly but two additional relatively smoothly but two additional relatively smoothly but two additional territories gave the Romans trouble in territories gave the Romans trouble in territories gave the Romans trouble in their consolidation efforts in the west their consolidation efforts in the west their consolidation efforts in the west Claudius inherited a mess created by Claudius inherited a mess created by Claudius inherited a mess created by Caligula in what would become the two Caligula in what would become the two Caligula in what would become the two administrative provinces in morania administrative provinces in morania administrative provinces in morania back in 40 ad Caligula decided that he back in 40 ad Caligula decided that he back in 40 ad Caligula decided that he wanted Direct Control of the region and wanted Direct Control of the region and wanted Direct Control of the region and had invited the client King of the North had invited the client King of the North had invited the client King of the North African territory to Rome for a meeting African territory to Rome for a meeting African territory to Rome for a meeting as soon as the unsuspecting Monarch as soon as the unsuspecting Monarch as soon as the unsuspecting Monarch arrived though Caligula had him seized arrived though Caligula had him seized arrived though Caligula had him seized and executed immediately a Revolt broke and executed immediately a Revolt broke and executed immediately a Revolt broke out back in Africa against the Roman out back in Africa against the Roman out back in Africa against the Roman officials sent by Cula to Annex the officials sent by Cula to Annex the officials sent by Cula to Annex the region into the Empire the incident region into the Empire the incident region into the Empire the incident played a part in the decision to played a part in the decision to played a part in the decision to assassinate Caligula as senators and assassinate Caligula as senators and assassinate Caligula as senators and officials were appalled by the totally officials were appalled by the totally officials were appalled by the totally unnecessary destabilization of an unnecessary destabilization of an unnecessary destabilization of an otherwise peaceful corner of the Empire otherwise peaceful corner of the Empire otherwise peaceful corner of the Empire when Claudius became emperor though he when Claudius became emperor though he when Claudius became emperor though he was obliged to follow through on the was obliged to follow through on the was obliged to follow through on the annexation whether or not it was the annexation whether or not it was the annexation whether or not it was the right thing to do was now irrelevant men right thing to do was now irrelevant men right thing to do was now irrelevant men were up in arms against Rome and that were up in arms against Rome and that were up in arms against Rome and that was was was unacceptable though most of the details

unacceptable though most of the details unacceptable though most of the details have been lost it seems that it took a have been lost it seems that it took a have been lost it seems that it took a few years to put the Revolt down before few years to put the Revolt down before few years to put the Revolt down before morania 2 formally joined the morania 2 formally joined the morania 2 formally joined the empire in the East Claudius dealt with empire in the East Claudius dealt with empire in the East Claudius dealt with the forever maddening province of Judea the forever maddening province of Judea the forever maddening province of Judea the region had been incorporated into the region had been incorporated into the region had been incorporated into the empire in 6 ad by Augustus but after the empire in 6 ad by Augustus but after the empire in 6 ad by Augustus but after the good poke in the eye Caligula had the good poke in the eye Caligula had the good poke in the eye Caligula had given the locals when he tried to have a given the locals when he tried to have a given the locals when he tried to have a statue of himself placed in the temple statue of himself placed in the temple statue of himself placed in the temple of Jerusalem Claudius thought it prudent of Jerusalem Claudius thought it prudent of Jerusalem Claudius thought it prudent to Grant Judea autonomy under the rule to Grant Judea autonomy under the rule to Grant Judea autonomy under the rule of his friend Herod a gria when Herod a of his friend Herod a gria when Herod a of his friend Herod a gria when Herod a gria died 3 years later according to gria died 3 years later according to gria died 3 years later according to Christian tradition smoken by the Lord Christian tradition smoken by the Lord Christian tradition smoken by the Lord for the crime of imprisoning the Apostle for the crime of imprisoning the Apostle for the crime of imprisoning the Apostle Peter and executing the Apostle James Peter and executing the Apostle James Peter and executing the Apostle James control of Judea passed back to Rome control of Judea passed back to Rome control of Judea passed back to Rome Claudius then handed autonomy back to Claudius then handed autonomy back to Claudius then handed autonomy back to Herod arria's son in 48 ad in an attempt Herod arria's son in 48 ad in an attempt Herod arria's son in 48 ad in an attempt to maintain some kind of Roman to maintain some kind of Roman to maintain some kind of Roman jurisdiction over the notoriously jurisdiction over the notoriously jurisdiction over the notoriously independent Jews who agitated constantly independent Jews who agitated constantly independent Jews who agitated constantly against foreign against foreign against foreign rule the relationship between Judea and rule the relationship between Judea and rule the relationship between Judea and Rome will remain contentious for years Rome will remain contentious for years Rome will remain contentious for years until finally in' 66 ad the so-called until finally in' 66 ad the so-called until finally in' 66 ad the so-called great Revolt will break out leading to great Revolt will break out leading to great Revolt will break out leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the the destruction of Jerusalem and the the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish diaspora of 70 AD which we will Jewish diaspora of 70 AD which we will Jewish diaspora of 70 AD which we will deal with in more detail deal with in more detail deal with in more detail later Taken as a whole claudius's Reign later Taken as a whole claudius's Reign later Taken as a whole claudius's Reign marks the most active in terms of marks the most active in terms of marks the most active in terms of territorial acquisition we have seen territorial acquisition we have seen territorial acquisition we have seen since Augustus and will remain unmatched since Augustus and will remain unmatched since Augustus and will remain unmatched until traion gets the expansionary itch until traion gets the expansionary itch until traion gets the expansionary itch in the early 100s ad at the historyof in the early 100s ad at the historyof in the early 100s ad at the historyof rome. typepad.com there is a map of all rome. typepad.com there is a map of all rome. typepad.com there is a map of all the provinces brought into the Empire the provinces brought into the Empire the provinces brought into the Empire during these

during these during these years in addition to his Geographic years in addition to his Geographic years in addition to his Geographic reorganizations Claudius also reorganizations Claudius also reorganizations Claudius also reorganized the Roman political order reorganized the Roman political order reorganized the Roman political order possibly as a result of all the possibly as a result of all the possibly as a result of all the assassination attempts he dealt with assassination attempts he dealt with assassination attempts he dealt with during the early years of his Reign during the early years of his Reign during the early years of his Reign cladius decided to reintroduce the long cladius decided to reintroduce the long cladius decided to reintroduce the long ignored office of censor which had been ignored office of censor which had been ignored office of censor which had been left vacant since the days of left vacant since the days of left vacant since the days of Augustus you will recall that in Augustus you will recall that in Augustus you will recall that in addition to the obvious duty of taking addition to the obvious duty of taking addition to the obvious duty of taking the census the sensor also maintained the census the sensor also maintained the census the sensor also maintained the senatorial roles and acted as a sort the senatorial roles and acted as a sort the senatorial roles and acted as a sort of moral policeman a sensor had the of moral policeman a sensor had the of moral policeman a sensor had the final say over who was in and who was final say over who was in and who was final say over who was in and who was out of the Senate Once Upon a Time this out of the Senate Once Upon a Time this out of the Senate Once Upon a Time this had been meant to ensure that craft and had been meant to ensure that craft and had been meant to ensure that craft and degenerate senators were replaced by degenerate senators were replaced by degenerate senators were replaced by more worthy men but in practice this more worthy men but in practice this more worthy men but in practice this function became a political tool used to function became a political tool used to function became a political tool used to keep allies and adversaries alike in keep allies and adversaries alike in keep allies and adversaries alike in line Claudius desperately needed to keep line Claudius desperately needed to keep line Claudius desperately needed to keep his adversaries and allies in line so his adversaries and allies in line so his adversaries and allies in line so the emperor stepped into the long vacant the emperor stepped into the long vacant the emperor stepped into the long vacant office in 47 ad and used its authority office in 47 ad and used its authority office in 47 ad and used its authority to do some housekeeping cottis purged to do some housekeeping cottis purged to do some housekeeping cottis purged from the roles all the families that had from the roles all the families that had from the roles all the families that had been suspected of plotting against him been suspected of plotting against him been suspected of plotting against him suddenly all the men who had fancied suddenly all the men who had fancied suddenly all the men who had fancied themselves possible candidates for the themselves possible candidates for the themselves possible candidates for the emperorship due to their senatorial emperorship due to their senatorial emperorship due to their senatorial status now found them M themselves status now found them M themselves status now found them M themselves nothing more than mere private citizens nothing more than mere private citizens nothing more than mere private citizens without a leg to stand on politically without a leg to stand on politically without a leg to stand on politically and of course in their place claudus and of course in their place claudus and of course in their place claudus brought in men he could trust to be brought in men he could trust to be brought in men he could trust to be loyal or at the very least apathetic loyal or at the very least apathetic loyal or at the very least apathetic towards his administration Claudius also took his administration Claudius also took his Reformation of the Senate one step Reformation of the Senate one step Reformation of the Senate one step further by looking out to the provinces

further by looking out to the provinces further by looking out to the provinces for eligible senatorial candidates for eligible senatorial candidates for eligible senatorial candidates conservative guardians of Italian conservative guardians of Italian conservative guardians of Italian preeminence were shocked to Now find preeminence were shocked to Now find preeminence were shocked to Now find themselves seated alongside Barbarian GS themselves seated alongside Barbarian GS themselves seated alongside Barbarian GS who Claudius had determined deserve to who Claudius had determined deserve to who Claudius had determined deserve to be seated due to their long-standing be seated due to their long-standing be seated due to their long-standing loyalty to Rome and satisfaction of the loyalty to Rome and satisfaction of the loyalty to Rome and satisfaction of the wealth wealth wealth requirements it was a move that was requirements it was a move that was requirements it was a move that was hotly debated but Claudius held firm hotly debated but Claudius held firm hotly debated but Claudius held firm that the future strength of the Empire that the future strength of the Empire that the future strength of the Empire required Rome to admit the provincials required Rome to admit the provincials required Rome to admit the provincials as equal just as so long ago the Latins as equal just as so long ago the Latins as equal just as so long ago the Latins had been absorbed into Rome and then had been absorbed into Rome and then had been absorbed into Rome and then later the whole of the Italian later the whole of the Italian later the whole of the Italian Peninsula by degrees the Roman Empire Peninsula by degrees the Roman Empire Peninsula by degrees the Roman Empire must shed its strictly Roman identity must shed its strictly Roman identity must shed its strictly Roman identity and embrace its multinational character and embrace its multinational character and embrace its multinational character if it's ever going going to survive and if it's ever going going to survive and if it's ever going going to survive and in this Claudius was exactly right had in this Claudius was exactly right had in this Claudius was exactly right had the conservatives won the debate and the conservatives won the debate and the conservatives won the debate and kept the provincials locked out the kept the provincials locked out the kept the provincials locked out the Roman Empire likely would have dissolved Roman Empire likely would have dissolved Roman Empire likely would have dissolved long before it long before it long before it did I would also like to mention at this did I would also like to mention at this did I would also like to mention at this point that Claudius was assisted in all point that Claudius was assisted in all point that Claudius was assisted in all of this by a co- sensor named Lucius of this by a co- sensor named Lucius of this by a co- sensor named Lucius vitellius I only bring this up because vitellius I only bring this up because vitellius I only bring this up because Lucius vitus's eldest son alus vellus Lucius vitus's eldest son alus vellus Lucius vitus's eldest son alus vellus germanicus is one of the four Emperors germanicus is one of the four Emperors germanicus is one of the four Emperors of the chaotic year of the four Emperors of the chaotic year of the four Emperors of the chaotic year of the four Emperors that followed the suici side of Nero in that followed the suici side of Nero in that followed the suici side of Nero in 68 ad and if I do this right I will have 68 ad and if I do this right I will have 68 ad and if I do this right I will have introduced all four of the four Emperors introduced all four of the four Emperors introduced all four of the four Emperors by the end of this episode I've already by the end of this episode I've already by the end of this episode I've already mentioned Vespasian the man who will mentioned Vespasian the man who will mentioned Vespasian the man who will finally emerge Victorious from that finally emerge Victorious from that finally emerge Victorious from that chaotic year so that is two down and two chaotic year so that is two down and two chaotic year so that is two down and two to to to go the last little episode I want to go the last little episode I want to go the last little episode I want to mention before we get into agripina is

mention before we get into agripina is mention before we get into agripina is the ill- fated draining of the fusine the ill- fated draining of the fusine the ill- fated draining of the fusine lake the idea was to increase the amount lake the idea was to increase the amount lake the idea was to increase the amount of arable land by draining the 140 of arable land by draining the 140 of arable land by draining the 140 square km Lake in Central Italy which square km Lake in Central Italy which square km Lake in Central Italy which had no natural outlet and was a frequent had no natural outlet and was a frequent had no natural outlet and was a frequent source of malaria source of malaria source of malaria outbreaks the project was overseen by outbreaks the project was overseen by outbreaks the project was overseen by Narcissus and over the course of 11 Narcissus and over the course of 11 Narcissus and over the course of 11 years workers built 5 1 12 kilom of years workers built 5 1 12 kilom of years workers built 5 1 12 kilom of tunnels and canals to reach a natural tunnels and canals to reach a natural tunnels and canals to reach a natural Outlet in theory the lake would slowly Outlet in theory the lake would slowly Outlet in theory the lake would slowly and steadily disappear but on the big and steadily disappear but on the big and steadily disappear but on the big opening day of the drain pipe which opening day of the drain pipe which opening day of the drain pipe which included speeches gladiatorial games and included speeches gladiatorial games and included speeches gladiatorial games and much pomp in circumstance all that much pomp in circumstance all that much pomp in circumstance all that happened was that everyone quickly happened was that everyone quickly happened was that everyone quickly discovered the tunnel contained a too discovered the tunnel contained a too discovered the tunnel contained a too tight a Bend which caused the whole tight a Bend which caused the whole tight a Bend which caused the whole system to back up and wash out the sight system to back up and wash out the sight system to back up and wash out the sight of all the ceremonies causing the of all the ceremonies causing the of all the ceremonies causing the emperor and all his assembled guests to emperor and all his assembled guests to emperor and all his assembled guests to make a run for it not exactly his make a run for it not exactly his make a run for it not exactly his proudest moment but in defense of proudest moment but in defense of proudest moment but in defense of Claudius he would not be the last man to Claudius he would not be the last man to Claudius he would not be the last man to try and fail to drain the fusine lake it try and fail to drain the fusine lake it try and fail to drain the fusine lake it would not be until the 1800s that the would not be until the 1800s that the would not be until the 1800s that the feat was finally accomplished by a Swiss feat was finally accomplished by a Swiss feat was finally accomplished by a Swiss engineer the spectacular failure of the engineer the spectacular failure of the engineer the spectacular failure of the project was an embarrassment for project was an embarrassment for project was an embarrassment for Claudius but it was an even bigger one Claudius but it was an even bigger one Claudius but it was an even bigger one for narcissus for narcissus for narcissus it did not help that claudius's new wife it did not help that claudius's new wife it did not help that claudius's new wife agripina whose elevation to Empress agripina whose elevation to Empress agripina whose elevation to Empress narcissus had opposed was using the narcissus had opposed was using the narcissus had opposed was using the opportunity afforded by the debacle to opportunity afforded by the debacle to opportunity afforded by the debacle to accuse narcissus of embezzlement and accuse narcissus of embezzlement and accuse narcissus of embezzlement and incompetence it didn't really matter incompetence it didn't really matter incompetence it didn't really matter whether or not the charges were true whether or not the charges were true whether or not the charges were true though from everything I know about the though from everything I know about the though from everything I know about the man I actually find it pretty easy to man I actually find it pretty easy to man I actually find it pretty easy to imagine narcissus skimming a bit off the

imagine narcissus skimming a bit off the imagine narcissus skimming a bit off the top no What mattered was that agripina top no What mattered was that agripina top no What mattered was that agripina had her chance to get rid of the had her chance to get rid of the had her chance to get rid of the Troublesome fredman who was allying Troublesome fredman who was allying Troublesome fredman who was allying himself with claudius's son br picus in himself with claudius's son br picus in himself with claudius's son br picus in what was shaping up to be another what was shaping up to be another what was shaping up to be another dynastic struggle between the Julio and dynastic struggle between the Julio and dynastic struggle between the Julio and claudian halfs of the family in this claudian halfs of the family in this claudian halfs of the family in this struggle the new Empress would prove to struggle the new Empress would prove to struggle the new Empress would prove to be a formidable opponent in the game of be a formidable opponent in the game of be a formidable opponent in the game of power politics Julia agripina known to us as politics Julia agripina known to us as agripina minor or agripina the younger agripina minor or agripina the younger agripina minor or agripina the younger was born in November of 15 ad the eldest was born in November of 15 ad the eldest was born in November of 15 ad the eldest daughter of germanicus and his wife daughter of germanicus and his wife daughter of germanicus and his wife agripina named for her mother agripina agripina named for her mother agripina agripina named for her mother agripina minor was carded around the EMP Empire minor was carded around the EMP Empire minor was carded around the EMP Empire by her parents until she wound up by her parents until she wound up by her parents until she wound up settled back in Rome following the death settled back in Rome following the death settled back in Rome following the death of her father in 19 of her father in 19 of her father in 19 ad from that point she was raised by her ad from that point she was raised by her ad from that point she was raised by her mother and then by her great-grandmother mother and then by her great-grandmother mother and then by her great-grandmother Livia who we will see seems to have had Livia who we will see seems to have had Livia who we will see seems to have had a great influence on the a great influence on the a great influence on the child in 28 ad Tiberius ordered the child in 28 ad Tiberius ordered the child in 28 ad Tiberius ordered the 13-year-old agripina to marry the 40 13-year-old agripina to marry the 40 13-year-old agripina to marry the 40 plus year-old neus Deus hanab barbus who plus year-old neus Deus hanab barbus who plus year-old neus Deus hanab barbus who was the grandson of augustus's sister was the grandson of augustus's sister was the grandson of augustus's sister Octavia and Mark Octavia and Mark Octavia and Mark anony demidas was apparently something anony demidas was apparently something anony demidas was apparently something of a cad though the stories about him of a cad though the stories about him of a cad though the stories about him were likely exaggerated to help were likely exaggerated to help were likely exaggerated to help reinforce the Despicable nature of his reinforce the Despicable nature of his reinforce the Despicable nature of his son Lucius demidas aab barbus the future son Lucius demidas aab barbus the future son Lucius demidas aab barbus the future Emperor Nero who agripina gave birth to Emperor Nero who agripina gave birth to Emperor Nero who agripina gave birth to in 37 in 37 in 37 ad to avoid confusion I'm going to start ad to avoid confusion I'm going to start ad to avoid confusion I'm going to start calling the boy Nero right now even calling the boy Nero right now even calling the boy Nero right now even though he will remain lucious until his though he will remain lucious until his though he will remain lucious until his adoption by Claudius in 50

adoption by Claudius in 50 adoption by Claudius in 50 ad Nero would wind up being agren's only ad Nero would wind up being agren's only ad Nero would wind up being agren's only natural child as demidas died of natural child as demidas died of natural child as demidas died of congestive heart failure in January of congestive heart failure in January of congestive heart failure in January of 40 40 40 ad you'll recall from the episode on ad you'll recall from the episode on ad you'll recall from the episode on Caligula that at first agripina and her Caligula that at first agripina and her Caligula that at first agripina and her other sisters were held in exalted other sisters were held in exalted other sisters were held in exalted status once their brother became emperor status once their brother became emperor status once their brother became emperor but after the death of Drusilla the but after the death of Drusilla the but after the death of Drusilla the relationship between the remaining relationship between the remaining relationship between the remaining siblings seems to have soured as I siblings seems to have soured as I siblings seems to have soured as I mentioned in 39 ad agripina and her mentioned in 39 ad agripina and her mentioned in 39 ad agripina and her sister Julia lavilla were accused of sister Julia lavilla were accused of sister Julia lavilla were accused of conspiring against their brother's life conspiring against their brother's life conspiring against their brother's life with Marcus amelus lepidus who was a the with Marcus amelus lepidus who was a the with Marcus amelus lepidus who was a the widower of Drusilla B already already widower of Drusilla B already already widower of Drusilla B already already tagged by Caligula as a potential Heir tagged by Caligula as a potential Heir tagged by Caligula as a potential Heir and C apparently the lover of both and C apparently the lover of both and C apparently the lover of both agripina and Julia agripina and Julia agripina and Julia lavilla when the plot was exposed lavilla when the plot was exposed lavilla when the plot was exposed Caligula banished his sisters to a small Caligula banished his sisters to a small Caligula banished his sisters to a small island in the terranean sea where legend island in the terranean sea where legend island in the terranean sea where legend has it that he forced them to die for has it that he forced them to die for has it that he forced them to die for sponges to earn their room and sponges to earn their room and sponges to earn their room and board at this point agripina had her board at this point agripina had her board at this point agripina had her entire estate confiscated and her son entire estate confiscated and her son entire estate confiscated and her son Nero was stripped of The Inheritance Nero was stripped of The Inheritance Nero was stripped of The Inheritance left to him by demidas Nero himself was left to him by demidas Nero himself was left to him by demidas Nero himself was carded off to live with a paternal ant carded off to live with a paternal ant carded off to live with a paternal ant and did not seem a likely candidate to and did not seem a likely candidate to and did not seem a likely candidate to survive survive survive childhood but agripina and Nero's childhood but agripina and Nero's childhood but agripina and Nero's fortunes turned when Caligula was fortunes turned when Caligula was fortunes turned when Caligula was assassinated in assassinated in assassinated in 41 Claudius recalled the banished 41 Claudius recalled the banished 41 Claudius recalled the banished sisters and agripina and her son were sisters and agripina and her son were sisters and agripina and her son were reunited the now penniless Princess cast reunited the now penniless Princess cast reunited the now penniless Princess cast about looking for a man with status and about looking for a man with status and about looking for a man with status and wealth necessary to get her back into wealth necessary to get her back into wealth necessary to get her back into the lifestyle to which she had grown

the lifestyle to which she had grown the lifestyle to which she had grown accustomed according to suetonius she accustomed according to suetonius she accustomed according to suetonius she set her sights on the already married set her sights on the already married set her sights on the already married General GBA but was General GBA but was General GBA but was rebuked galba of course would eventually rebuked galba of course would eventually rebuked galba of course would eventually become the first of the four Emperors in become the first of the four Emperors in become the first of the four Emperors in the year of four Emperors so hey that's the year of four Emperors so hey that's the year of four Emperors so hey that's three down and one to go agripina got three down and one to go agripina got three down and one to go agripina got over the rejection and moved on to gas over the rejection and moved on to gas over the rejection and moved on to gas cistus Crispus penus who Claudius cistus Crispus penus who Claudius cistus Crispus penus who Claudius pressured to accept agren's pressured to accept agren's pressured to accept agren's advances panus had already been conso advances panus had already been conso advances panus had already been conso once and would be so again in 44 so his once and would be so again in 44 so his once and would be so again in 44 so his high status returned agripina to the high status returned agripina to the high status returned agripina to the center of Court life but the witty and center of Court life but the witty and center of Court life but the witty and vibrant panis felt ill and died in 47 ad vibrant panis felt ill and died in 47 ad vibrant panis felt ill and died in 47 ad leaving agripino widowed once again leaving agripino widowed once again leaving agripino widowed once again though this time she emerged from her though this time she emerged from her though this time she emerged from her bereavement and extremely wealthy woman bereavement and extremely wealthy woman bereavement and extremely wealthy woman this led to her very first accusation of this led to her very first accusation of this led to her very first accusation of poisoning which seems to be something of poisoning which seems to be something of poisoning which seems to be something of a right of passage for Julio Claud and a right of passage for Julio Claud and a right of passage for Julio Claud and women when mesalina was executed and the women when mesalina was executed and the women when mesalina was executed and the emperor was left a bachelor the now emperor was left a bachelor the now emperor was left a bachelor the now single agripina defied convention in single agripina defied convention in single agripina defied convention in Good Taste by openly pursuing her uncle Good Taste by openly pursuing her uncle Good Taste by openly pursuing her uncle as a potential husband as I said at the end of the last husband as I said at the end of the last episode the execution of mesalina LED episode the execution of mesalina LED episode the execution of mesalina LED each of claudius's trusted fredman to each of claudius's trusted fredman to each of claudius's trusted fredman to back a different woman for the emperor back a different woman for the emperor back a different woman for the emperor ship narcissus backed claudius's former ship narcissus backed claudius's former ship narcissus backed claudius's former wife Alia patina and kalistus backed wife Alia patina and kalistus backed wife Alia patina and kalistus backed lolia Paulina who had been married to lolia Paulina who had been married to lolia Paulina who had been married to Caligula for about 6 months in 38 Caligula for about 6 months in 38 Caligula for about 6 months in 38 ad Palace the Secretary of the Treasury ad Palace the Secretary of the Treasury ad Palace the Secretary of the Treasury meanwhile pushed for Claudius to do the meanwhile pushed for Claudius to do the meanwhile pushed for Claudius to do the unthinkable he and agripina had become

unthinkable he and agripina had become unthinkable he and agripina had become lovers and if she became Empress well lovers and if she became Empress well lovers and if she became Empress well Palace figured that he would be set for Palace figured that he would be set for Palace figured that he would be set for life so he argued that the Julio and life so he argued that the Julio and life so he argued that the Julio and claudian wings of the family must be claudian wings of the family must be claudian wings of the family must be reunited for the Dynasty and Rome to reunited for the Dynasty and Rome to reunited for the Dynasty and Rome to survive Claudius was swayed by these survive Claudius was swayed by these survive Claudius was swayed by these arguments and took the same line to the arguments and took the same line to the arguments and took the same line to the Senate when he announced his intention Senate when he announced his intention Senate when he announced his intention to marry his own niece it was for the to marry his own niece it was for the to marry his own niece it was for the good of the Empire Claudius said and you good of the Empire Claudius said and you good of the Empire Claudius said and you should treat it as such and not think should treat it as such and not think should treat it as such and not think too hard about the clear-cut incestual too hard about the clear-cut incestual too hard about the clear-cut incestual union I'm proposing union I'm proposing union I'm proposing here the Senate wasn't very happy about here the Senate wasn't very happy about here the Senate wasn't very happy about it but they relented and backed the it but they relented and backed the it but they relented and backed the marriage the people of Rome however were marriage the people of Rome however were marriage the people of Rome however were not so understanding and refused to get not so understanding and refused to get not so understanding and refused to get on board with the program the marriage on board with the program the marriage on board with the program the marriage would spark a precipitous decline in would spark a precipitous decline in would spark a precipitous decline in claudius's popularity agripina had gone through a popularity agripina had gone through a number of image makeovers in her life number of image makeovers in her life number of image makeovers in her life from pable daughter of germanicus to from pable daughter of germanicus to from pable daughter of germanicus to immoral Harlot of culus court to immoral Harlot of culus court to immoral Harlot of culus court to sympathetic exiled mother with her sympathetic exiled mother with her sympathetic exiled mother with her marriage to claudus on New Year's Day 49 marriage to claudus on New Year's Day 49 marriage to claudus on New Year's Day 49 ad though she crystallized into the ad though she crystallized into the ad though she crystallized into the woman history remembers her as the woman history remembers her as the woman history remembers her as the ruthlessly ambitious Empress of ruthlessly ambitious Empress of ruthlessly ambitious Empress of Rome much like Livia before her agripina Rome much like Livia before her agripina Rome much like Livia before her agripina poured her ambition into the only vessel poured her ambition into the only vessel poured her ambition into the only vessel a woman like her could use to gain and a woman like her could use to gain and a woman like her could use to gain and hold power in patriarchal Rome her hold power in patriarchal Rome her hold power in patriarchal Rome her son even before her marriage to Claudius son even before her marriage to Claudius son even before her marriage to Claudius agripino was hard at work setting Nero agripino was hard at work setting Nero agripino was hard at work setting Nero up for up for up for success in 48 she had conspired with the success in 48 she had conspired with the success in 48 she had conspired with the aforementioned co- sensor vitellius to

aforementioned co- sensor vitellius to aforementioned co- sensor vitellius to smear the fiance of claudius's daughter smear the fiance of claudius's daughter smear the fiance of claudius's daughter Claudia Octavia to clear the way for Claudia Octavia to clear the way for Claudia Octavia to clear the way for Nero to marry into the Imperial Nero to marry into the Imperial Nero to marry into the Imperial family agripina succeeded in breaking up family agripina succeeded in breaking up family agripina succeeded in breaking up the engagement leading said fiance to the engagement leading said fiance to the engagement leading said fiance to commit suicide along the way but it commit suicide along the way but it commit suicide along the way but it would take a few years before she could would take a few years before she could would take a few years before she could initiate the marriage between Nero and initiate the marriage between Nero and initiate the marriage between Nero and Claudia Nero was after all only 10 at Claudia Nero was after all only 10 at Claudia Nero was after all only 10 at the time and Claudia was even the time and Claudia was even the time and Claudia was even younger but agripina could afford to younger but agripina could afford to younger but agripina could afford to wait because the next year she managed wait because the next year she managed wait because the next year she managed to pull off the trick of marrying the to pull off the trick of marrying the to pull off the trick of marrying the emperor emperor emperor himself agripina who had been Pig himself agripina who had been Pig himself agripina who had been Pig ponging between relevance and obscurity ponging between relevance and obscurity ponging between relevance and obscurity for years years was now back in for years years was now back in for years years was now back in power but she didn't lose sight of the power but she didn't lose sight of the power but she didn't lose sight of the ball and at once began lobbying Claudius ball and at once began lobbying Claudius ball and at once began lobbying Claudius to adopt Nero and make him an heir in 50 to adopt Nero and make him an heir in 50 to adopt Nero and make him an heir in 50 cladius finally relented and adopted cladius finally relented and adopted cladius finally relented and adopted 13-year-old Lucius Demus aab barbas at 13-year-old Lucius Demus aab barbas at 13-year-old Lucius Demus aab barbas at which point the boy took the name Nero which point the boy took the name Nero which point the boy took the name Nero Claudius Caesar drusus germanicus Claudius Caesar drusus germanicus Claudius Caesar drusus germanicus shortened for our purposes to shortened for our purposes to shortened for our purposes to Nero also following in the footsteps of Nero also following in the footsteps of Nero also following in the footsteps of her great grandmother Livia agripina her great grandmother Livia agripina her great grandmother Livia agripina convinced Claudius to Grant her the convinced Claudius to Grant her the convinced Claudius to Grant her the title Augusta and allow her access to title Augusta and allow her access to title Augusta and allow her access to special carriages that were generally special carriages that were generally special carriages that were generally reserved for priests these special reserved for priests these special reserved for priests these special privileges were outward signs of the privileges were outward signs of the privileges were outward signs of the influence agripina held over her uncle influence agripina held over her uncle influence agripina held over her uncle husband in a particularly unprecedented husband in a particularly unprecedented husband in a particularly unprecedented display Claudius actually named a display Claudius actually named a display Claudius actually named a veterans Colony he chartered agrip veterans Colony he chartered agrip veterans Colony he chartered agrip nissum the only colony in the whole long nissum the only colony in the whole long nissum the only colony in the whole long history of the Empire to be named after history of the Empire to be named after history of the Empire to be named after a a a woman but as important as it was to woman but as important as it was to woman but as important as it was to agripina that she gather up as much

agripina that she gather up as much agripina that she gather up as much power as she could in the near term her power as she could in the near term her power as she could in the near term her long-term goal still revolved around her long-term goal still revolved around her long-term goal still revolved around her son the 60 plusy old Claudius was son the 60 plusy old Claudius was son the 60 plusy old Claudius was nearing the end of his life while the nearing the end of his life while the nearing the end of his life while the 35-year-old agripina still had a lot of 35-year-old agripina still had a lot of 35-year-old agripina still had a lot of years left and that meant making sure years left and that meant making sure years left and that meant making sure that her son ascended to the throne when that her son ascended to the throne when that her son ascended to the throne when Claudius Claudius Claudius died the one obvious obstacle to agren's died the one obvious obstacle to agren's died the one obvious obstacle to agren's agenda was claudius's natural son agenda was claudius's natural son agenda was claudius's natural son 9-year-old 9-year-old 9-year-old britannicus although Nero now had the britannicus although Nero now had the britannicus although Nero now had the advantage of technically being advantage of technically being advantage of technically being claudius's eldest son there was no claudius's eldest son there was no claudius's eldest son there was no accounting for the fa favoritism accounting for the fa favoritism accounting for the fa favoritism Claudius might be tempted to show his Claudius might be tempted to show his Claudius might be tempted to show his own own own offspring so upon becoming Empress offspring so upon becoming Empress offspring so upon becoming Empress agripina scrubbed the Imperial Palace of agripina scrubbed the Imperial Palace of agripina scrubbed the Imperial Palace of anyone who had been connected to anyone who had been connected to anyone who had been connected to mesalina and who might be tempted to mesalina and who might be tempted to mesalina and who might be tempted to advance britannicus his interests when advance britannicus his interests when advance britannicus his interests when Claudius cast about for advice on what Claudius cast about for advice on what Claudius cast about for advice on what to do about the issue of succession to do about the issue of succession to do about the issue of succession agripina wanted to make sure that the agripina wanted to make sure that the agripina wanted to make sure that the only people around to speak up would be only people around to speak up would be only people around to speak up would be those firmly in her Corner she went so those firmly in her Corner she went so those firmly in her Corner she went so far as to have britannicus his tutor far as to have britannicus his tutor far as to have britannicus his tutor killed when he raised too much of a killed when he raised too much of a killed when he raised too much of a stink about his pupil being neglected by stink about his pupil being neglected by stink about his pupil being neglected by the the the emperor unfortunately for agripina the emperor unfortunately for agripina the emperor unfortunately for agripina the man who emerged as one of britannicus man who emerged as one of britannicus man who emerged as one of britannicus greatest Advocates was one of the few greatest Advocates was one of the few greatest Advocates was one of the few men she could not simply dispose of on a men she could not simply dispose of on a men she could not simply dispose of on a whim whim whim Narcissus the Freedman had his doubts Narcissus the Freedman had his doubts Narcissus the Freedman had his doubts about britannicus but those paled in about britannicus but those paled in about britannicus but those paled in comparisons to his doubts about Nero the comparisons to his doubts about Nero the comparisons to his doubts about Nero the boy was shaping up to be petulant boy was shaping up to be petulant boy was shaping up to be petulant selfish and vain when narcissus looked selfish and vain when narcissus looked selfish and vain when narcissus looked at Nero who saw the second coming of at Nero who saw the second coming of at Nero who saw the second coming of Caligula agripino worked hard to try to

Caligula agripino worked hard to try to Caligula agripino worked hard to try to narcissus out and as I said she went narcissus out and as I said she went narcissus out and as I said she went after him hard over the fusine lake after him hard over the fusine lake after him hard over the fusine lake debacle but the fredman was tied too debacle but the fredman was tied too debacle but the fredman was tied too deeply to the emperor try as she might deeply to the emperor try as she might deeply to the emperor try as she might agripina could not dislodge narcissus agripina could not dislodge narcissus agripina could not dislodge narcissus from claudius's from claudius's from claudius's ear but despite that as was usually the ear but despite that as was usually the ear but despite that as was usually the case during these years agripina finally case during these years agripina finally case during these years agripina finally did get her way at least partially and did get her way at least partially and did get her way at least partially and in 51 ad 14-year-old Nero was elevated in 51 ad 14-year-old Nero was elevated in 51 ad 14-year-old Nero was elevated to manhood and named as a coair to manhood and named as a coair to manhood and named as a coair alongside the still underage britannicus alongside the still underage britannicus alongside the still underage britannicus in theory They Were Meant To Rule in theory They Were Meant To Rule in theory They Were Meant To Rule together when the time came but in together when the time came but in together when the time came but in practice the timing of claudius's practice the timing of claudius's practice the timing of claudius's Declaration opened a window of a few Declaration opened a window of a few Declaration opened a window of a few years where Nero was now a man and able years where Nero was now a man and able years where Nero was now a man and able to assume the duties of State while to assume the duties of State while to assume the duties of State while britannicus was still legally a child britannicus was still legally a child britannicus was still legally a child for all intents and purposes Nero right for all intents and purposes Nero right for all intents and purposes Nero right now was the sole now was the sole now was the sole Heir agripino would not fail to miss the Heir agripino would not fail to miss the Heir agripino would not fail to miss the significance of this significance of this significance of this development in 53 ad Nero's position was development in 53 ad Nero's position was development in 53 ad Nero's position was strengthened even more by a marriage to strengthened even more by a marriage to strengthened even more by a marriage to his step sister Claudia his step sister Claudia his step sister Claudia Octavia the public was starting to get Octavia the public was starting to get Octavia the public was starting to get behind the idea that this grandson of behind the idea that this grandson of behind the idea that this grandson of germanicus was destined to be their next germanicus was destined to be their next germanicus was destined to be their next Emperor but just as everything seemed to Emperor but just as everything seemed to Emperor but just as everything seemed to be going ago's way Claudius began to be going ago's way Claudius began to be going ago's way Claudius began to regret having given so much to Nero at regret having given so much to Nero at regret having given so much to Nero at the expense of his own the expense of his own the expense of his own son whether narcissus was behind the son whether narcissus was behind the son whether narcissus was behind the change of heart or whether the emperor change of heart or whether the emperor change of heart or whether the emperor himself came to his own conclusions is himself came to his own conclusions is himself came to his own conclusions is unknown but at some point in 54 ad unknown but at some point in 54 ad unknown but at some point in 54 ad Claudius began to look at britannicus Claudius began to look at britannicus Claudius began to look at britannicus more and more as his rightful

more and more as his rightful more and more as his rightful Heir agripina sensed that the winds were Heir agripina sensed that the winds were Heir agripina sensed that the winds were beginning to blow against her and beginning to blow against her and beginning to blow against her and recognized that she might be facing a recognized that she might be facing a recognized that she might be facing a pretty clear deadline britannicus would pretty clear deadline britannicus would pretty clear deadline britannicus would soon be coming of age and once he was a soon be coming of age and once he was a soon be coming of age and once he was a legal adult Claudius was making noise legal adult Claudius was making noise legal adult Claudius was making noise about no longer than needing his about no longer than needing his about no longer than needing his manipulative wife and her spoiled manipulative wife and her spoiled manipulative wife and her spoiled teenage teenage teenage son with Banus slated to take the rights son with Banus slated to take the rights son with Banus slated to take the rights of manhood in just six months agripina of manhood in just six months agripina of manhood in just six months agripina had no time to spare she was too close had no time to spare she was too close had no time to spare she was too close to fulfilling her dreams to let it all to fulfilling her dreams to let it all to fulfilling her dreams to let it all just slip just slip just slip away now I am sort of going with the away now I am sort of going with the away now I am sort of going with the story here that agripina did indeed story here that agripina did indeed story here that agripina did indeed poison Claudius in October of poison Claudius in October of poison Claudius in October of 54 but it should be noted that though 54 but it should be noted that though 54 but it should be noted that though the ancient sources all agree that she the ancient sources all agree that she the ancient sources all agree that she did it there was never any firm evidence did it there was never any firm evidence did it there was never any firm evidence they could point to to prove their they could point to to prove their they could point to to prove their case the accusation is based on case the accusation is based on case the accusation is based on supposition and probability coupled with supposition and probability coupled with supposition and probability coupled with the old wicked stepmother Motif that the old wicked stepmother Motif that the old wicked stepmother Motif that runs through all of Roman runs through all of Roman runs through all of Roman culture basically agripina had the means culture basically agripina had the means culture basically agripina had the means motive and opportunity and her character motive and opportunity and her character motive and opportunity and her character points to her acting on all three the points to her acting on all three the points to her acting on all three the most common version of the story is that most common version of the story is that most common version of the story is that agripina conspired with claudius's agripina conspired with claudius's agripina conspired with claudius's taster to slip the emperor a few poison taster to slip the emperor a few poison taster to slip the emperor a few poison mushrooms though his doctor was also mushrooms though his doctor was also mushrooms though his doctor was also fingered as a possible fingered as a possible fingered as a possible culprit whether it really was poison culprit whether it really was poison culprit whether it really was poison which I happen to believe or whether it which I happen to believe or whether it which I happen to believe or whether it was just nature taking its course was just nature taking its course was just nature taking its course Claudius became violently ill and died Claudius became violently ill and died Claudius became violently ill and died on October 13 54 ad he was 64 years old on October 13 54 ad he was 64 years old on October 13 54 ad he was 64 years old and had ruled the empire for 13 fairly and had ruled the empire for 13 fairly and had ruled the empire for 13 fairly successful

successful successful years the life and career of Claudius years the life and career of Claudius years the life and career of Claudius has to be one of the more unique in all has to be one of the more unique in all has to be one of the more unique in all of history good men and bad men of history good men and bad men of history good men and bad men ambitious men and unassuming men wise ambitious men and unassuming men wise ambitious men and unassuming men wise men and dumb men have all taken their men and dumb men have all taken their men and dumb men have all taken their turns in power but all wind up turns in power but all wind up turns in power but all wind up conforming to some kind of recognizable conforming to some kind of recognizable conforming to some kind of recognizable archetype but I can't really think of archetype but I can't really think of archetype but I can't really think of anyone who quite resembles Claudius The anyone who quite resembles Claudius The anyone who quite resembles Claudius The Accidental Emperor the guy was a Accidental Emperor the guy was a Accidental Emperor the guy was a punchline for his whole life I doubt punchline for his whole life I doubt punchline for his whole life I doubt there could have been lower expectations there could have been lower expectations there could have been lower expectations when it was announced that Uncle when it was announced that Uncle when it was announced that Uncle Claudius was now in charge but not only Claudius was now in charge but not only Claudius was now in charge but not only did he clear the minimal bar that had did he clear the minimal bar that had did he clear the minimal bar that had been set for him but he was Far and Away been set for him but he was Far and Away been set for him but he was Far and Away the best Emperor since Augustus the best Emperor since Augustus the best Emperor since Augustus himself now I know that isn't saying himself now I know that isn't saying himself now I know that isn't saying very much as between the purges of very much as between the purges of very much as between the purges of tiberias and well the everything of tiberias and well the everything of tiberias and well the everything of Caligula it doesn't take a whole lot to Caligula it doesn't take a whole lot to Caligula it doesn't take a whole lot to earn the title best Emperor since earn the title best Emperor since earn the title best Emperor since Augustus but when you think about the Augustus but when you think about the Augustus but when you think about the image most Romans had in their heads of image most Romans had in their heads of image most Romans had in their heads of Claudius the slow-witted stuttering duns Claudius the slow-witted stuttering duns Claudius the slow-witted stuttering duns you have to admit that it's impressive you have to admit that it's impressive you have to admit that it's impressive how out of nowhere he came to claim that how out of nowhere he came to claim that how out of nowhere he came to claim that prize and the thing is if you rank all prize and the thing is if you rank all prize and the thing is if you rank all the Emperors past present and future the Emperors past present and future the Emperors past present and future which is a list of somewhere around a which is a list of somewhere around a which is a list of somewhere around a 100 men depending on who's counting I 100 men depending on who's counting I 100 men depending on who's counting I think Claudius pretty comfortably sits think Claudius pretty comfortably sits think Claudius pretty comfortably sits in the top 10 he's not a great emperor in the top 10 he's not a great emperor in the top 10 he's not a great emperor like Augustus or Constantine or Diocesan like Augustus or Constantine or Diocesan like Augustus or Constantine or Diocesan and he probably sits behind the and he probably sits behind the and he probably sits behind the so-called five good Emperors in terms of so-called five good Emperors in terms of so-called five good Emperors in terms of impact and talent but yeah Claudius is impact and talent but yeah Claudius is impact and talent but yeah Claudius is in the top 10 I'm going to miss him in the top 10 I'm going to miss him in the top 10 I'm going to miss him next week we'll get into one of the next week we'll get into one of the next week we'll get into one of the Bottom Feeders who is constantly duking

Bottom Feeders who is constantly duking Bottom Feeders who is constantly duking it out with Caligula and elois and comus it out with Caligula and elois and comus it out with Caligula and elois and comus for the title of worst Emperor ever for the title of worst Emperor ever for the title of worst Emperor ever though I think Nero was pretty clearly though I think Nero was pretty clearly though I think Nero was pretty clearly not as bad as Caligula and his leisure not as bad as Caligula and his leisure not as bad as Caligula and his leisure Pursuits were far less insane he was Pursuits were far less insane he was Pursuits were far less insane he was still pretty awful the problem with Nero still pretty awful the problem with Nero still pretty awful the problem with Nero is that he didn't seem to have much is that he didn't seem to have much is that he didn't seem to have much interest in actually being Emperor he interest in actually being Emperor he interest in actually being Emperor he wanted to play Gladiator and sing songs wanted to play Gladiator and sing songs wanted to play Gladiator and sing songs and compete in games to him the best and compete in games to him the best and compete in games to him the best part of being Emperor is that everyone part of being Emperor is that everyone part of being Emperor is that everyone lets you win at lets you win at lets you win at everything in his defense Nero was only everything in his defense Nero was only everything in his defense Nero was only 16 years old when he ascended to the 16 years old when he ascended to the 16 years old when he ascended to the throne which explains a great deal of throne which explains a great deal of throne which explains a great deal of his immaturity but still at a certain his immaturity but still at a certain his immaturity but still at a certain point you've got to look yourself in the point you've got to look yourself in the point you've got to look yourself in the mirror and want to be a better person if mirror and want to be a better person if mirror and want to be a better person if not for yourself then for the people who not for yourself then for the people who not for yourself then for the people who are counting on you to do a good job are counting on you to do a good job are counting on you to do a good job because if you don't have that moment because if you don't have that moment because if you don't have that moment and you just stay the same immature kid and you just stay the same immature kid and you just stay the same immature kid your whole life well eventually you wind your whole life well eventually you wind your whole life well eventually you wind up committing a panicked suicide after up committing a panicked suicide after up committing a panicked suicide after your enemies have launched a successful your enemies have launched a successful your enemies have launched a successful couet t couet t couet t [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome

hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 64 Smite my episode 64 Smite my episode 64 Smite my womb before we get into this week's womb before we get into this week's womb before we get into this week's episode I just want to say thank you for episode I just want to say thank you for episode I just want to say thank you for all the condolences that were attached all the condolences that were attached all the condolences that were attached to last week's sad announcement of my to last week's sad announcement of my to last week's sad announcement of my grandfather's death a confirmed history grandfather's death a confirmed history grandfather's death a confirmed history buff I know he enjoyed listening to The buff I know he enjoyed listening to The buff I know he enjoyed listening to The History of Rome even if Dad did have to History of Rome even if Dad did have to History of Rome even if Dad did have to burn it on a CDs for him because you burn it on a CDs for him because you burn it on a CDs for him because you know iTunes is what what again the first know iTunes is what what again the first know iTunes is what what again the first time I ever read any part of Gibbon's time I ever read any part of Gibbon's time I ever read any part of Gibbon's Decline and fall was from granda's 3 Decline and fall was from granda's 3 Decline and fall was from granda's 3 volume set that still sits on the volume set that still sits on the volume set that still sits on the bookshelf in their living room I look at bookshelf in their living room I look at bookshelf in their living room I look at those books every time I go out to visit those books every time I go out to visit those books every time I go out to visit and remember fondly being 15 years old and remember fondly being 15 years old and remember fondly being 15 years old and just sitting there absorbed in the and just sitting there absorbed in the and just sitting there absorbed in the story of Rome with the chaos of a family story of Rome with the chaos of a family story of Rome with the chaos of a family Christmas swirling around me eventually Christmas swirling around me eventually Christmas swirling around me eventually we'll get into that phase of the Empire we'll get into that phase of the Empire we'll get into that phase of the Empire where I'll be drawing heavily from given where I'll be drawing heavily from given where I'll be drawing heavily from given and we'll need to reread everything and and we'll need to reread everything and and we'll need to reread everything and though I now have my own set the words though I now have my own set the words though I now have my own set the words will still be the same ones I read in will still be the same ones I read in will still be the same ones I read in Grandpa's old paperbacks and I won't be Grandpa's old paperbacks and I won't be Grandpa's old paperbacks and I won't be able to help but be transported back to able to help but be transported back to able to help but be transported back to that time and place and think of Grandpa that time and place and think of Grandpa that time and place and think of Grandpa and thank him for just being the kind of and thank him for just being the kind of and thank him for just being the kind of guy who would have a three volume set of guy who would have a three volume set of guy who would have a three volume set of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire the decline and fall of the Roman Empire the decline and fall of the Roman Empire sitting front and center in his living sitting front and center in his living sitting front and center in his living room when a bookless grandson needed room when a bookless grandson needed room when a bookless grandson needed something to read to pass the something to read to pass the something to read to pass the time the other thing I want to say time the other thing I want to say time the other thing I want to say before we get going is that last time I before we get going is that last time I before we get going is that last time I had this whole joke setup where I had this whole joke setup where I had this whole joke setup where I finally get around to introducing oo the finally get around to introducing oo the finally get around to introducing oo the last of the four Emperors from the year last of the four Emperors from the year last of the four Emperors from the year of the four emperor of the four emperor of the four emperor and I was going to do it in this really and I was going to do it in this really and I was going to do it in this really forced way during my closing remarks forced way during my closing remarks forced way during my closing remarks because unlike the other three he was because unlike the other three he was because unlike the other three he was pretty much not around during the last pretty much not around during the last pretty much not around during the last years of claudius's Reign it was going

years of claudius's Reign it was going years of claudius's Reign it was going to be like oh and oo was also alive to be like oh and oo was also alive to be like oh and oo was also alive there I covered them all but well it was there I covered them all but well it was there I covered them all but well it was over 100° in Portland for like two weeks over 100° in Portland for like two weeks over 100° in Portland for like two weeks straight and I'm writing in this second straight and I'm writing in this second straight and I'm writing in this second story apartment with no air conditioning story apartment with no air conditioning story apartment with no air conditioning and yeah I sort of lost track of what I and yeah I sort of lost track of what I and yeah I sort of lost track of what I was doing so if it seemed really weird was doing so if it seemed really weird was doing so if it seemed really weird when you listen to the last episode that when you listen to the last episode that when you listen to the last episode that I would make a point of saying I'm going I would make a point of saying I'm going I would make a point of saying I'm going to introduce uced them all and then you to introduce uced them all and then you to introduce uced them all and then you know didn't there's really no know didn't there's really no know didn't there's really no explanation for it other than I was hot explanation for it other than I was hot explanation for it other than I was hot and fumbled the ball oh and fumbled the ball oh and fumbled the ball oh well so okay on with the well so okay on with the well so okay on with the show one of the reasons so many people show one of the reasons so many people show one of the reasons so many people assume that agripina engineered the assume that agripina engineered the assume that agripina engineered the assassination of her husband Uncle assassination of her husband Uncle assassination of her husband Uncle Claudius was because of what happened in Claudius was because of what happened in Claudius was because of what happened in the immediate aftermath of his death the the immediate aftermath of his death the the immediate aftermath of his death the speed with which Nero was confirmed as speed with which Nero was confirmed as speed with which Nero was confirmed as the new emperor the speed with which the new emperor the speed with which the new emperor the speed with which claudius's will was suppressed to lock claudius's will was suppressed to lock claudius's will was suppressed to lock britannicus out of his inheritance and britannicus out of his inheritance and britannicus out of his inheritance and the speed with which agripino was the speed with which agripino was the speed with which agripino was granted her own independent Powers just granted her own independent Powers just granted her own independent Powers just screamed Foul Play plus just before screamed Foul Play plus just before screamed Foul Play plus just before Claudius died agripina had sent Claudius died agripina had sent Claudius died agripina had sent narcissus out of town on business narcissus out of town on business narcissus out of town on business removing the one man who could plausibly removing the one man who could plausibly removing the one man who could plausibly raise an effective opposition to raise an effective opposition to raise an effective opposition to agripina and her son should something agripina and her son should something agripina and her son should something unfortunate happened to the emperor and unfortunate happened to the emperor and unfortunate happened to the emperor and succession became an issue narcissus as succession became an issue narcissus as succession became an issue narcissus as I've mentioned supported britannicus as I've mentioned supported britannicus as I've mentioned supported britannicus as the lesser of two evils when it came to the lesser of two evils when it came to the lesser of two evils when it came to succession with Claudia's dead and no succession with Claudia's dead and no succession with Claudia's dead and no narcissist around to get in her way narcissist around to get in her way narcissist around to get in her way agripinaa was able to literally lock up agripinaa was able to literally lock up agripinaa was able to literally lock up britannicus and his sisters in the britannicus and his sisters in the britannicus and his sisters in the palace and keep them there while she palace and keep them there while she palace and keep them there while she marched Nero out alone in front of the marched Nero out alone in front of the marched Nero out alone in front of the Guard where they were ordered by the Guard where they were ordered by the Guard where they were ordered by the petorian prefect sexus ofus burus to

petorian prefect sexus ofus burus to petorian prefect sexus ofus burus to hail the teenager as the new leader of hail the teenager as the new leader of hail the teenager as the new leader of Rome some question the absence of Rome some question the absence of Rome some question the absence of britannicus from these proceedings but britannicus from these proceedings but britannicus from these proceedings but without any push back from anyone with without any push back from anyone with without any push back from anyone with real Authority like say narcissus they real Authority like say narcissus they real Authority like say narcissus they simply Shrugged their shoulders and went simply Shrugged their shoulders and went simply Shrugged their shoulders and went along with it after a hastily called along with it after a hastily called along with it after a hastily called session of the Senate confirmed what the session of the Senate confirmed what the session of the Senate confirmed what the petorian guard had already declared petorian guard had already declared petorian guard had already declared 16-year-old Nero became the fifth 16-year-old Nero became the fifth 16-year-old Nero became the fifth emperor of emperor of emperor of Rome as with Kula the people greeted the Rome as with Kula the people greeted the Rome as with Kula the people greeted the announcement with a great deal of announcement with a great deal of announcement with a great deal of optimism transition of Power are always optimism transition of Power are always optimism transition of Power are always fraught with danger but this one seemed fraught with danger but this one seemed fraught with danger but this one seemed to come and go easily and with young to come and go easily and with young to come and go easily and with young Nero now in power and no doubt destined Nero now in power and no doubt destined Nero now in power and no doubt destined for a long and full life entire for a long and full life entire for a long and full life entire Generations might be able to live and Generations might be able to live and Generations might be able to live and die without ever having to worry about die without ever having to worry about die without ever having to worry about the horror of a civil war sparked by the horror of a civil war sparked by the horror of a civil war sparked by competing claimants to the throne it competing claimants to the throne it competing claimants to the throne it could be 50 years or more before the could be 50 years or more before the could be 50 years or more before the issue would even come up again that kind issue would even come up again that kind issue would even come up again that kind of stability is of stability is of stability is precious plus Nero was the grandson of precious plus Nero was the grandson of precious plus Nero was the grandson of germanicus and a true Julian directly germanicus and a true Julian directly germanicus and a true Julian directly descended from Augustus himself truly descended from Augustus himself truly descended from Augustus himself truly the gods were smiling on Rome when they the gods were smiling on Rome when they the gods were smiling on Rome when they raised the boy up to command the raised the boy up to command the raised the boy up to command the Empire but to those who had actually Empire but to those who had actually Empire but to those who had actually worked behind the scenes to make sure worked behind the scenes to make sure worked behind the scenes to make sure Nero was elevated it was not the will of Nero was elevated it was not the will of Nero was elevated it was not the will of the gods that the boy himself commanded the gods that the boy himself commanded the gods that the boy himself commanded the Empire more like it was the will of the Empire more like it was the will of the Empire more like it was the will of the gods that Nero be a conduit through the gods that Nero be a conduit through the gods that Nero be a conduit through which they would command the which they would command the which they would command the Empire agripina especially did not see Empire agripina especially did not see Empire agripina especially did not see her son's rise as anything other than a her son's rise as anything other than a her son's rise as anything other than a means to her own means to her own means to her own ends and in securing her own ends she

ends and in securing her own ends she ends and in securing her own ends she went even further than Livia had when went even further than Livia had when went even further than Livia had when tiberias finally came to power tiberias finally came to power tiberias finally came to power immediately after Claudius died the immediately after Claudius died the immediately after Claudius died the Senate obliged her calls to raise the Senate obliged her calls to raise the Senate obliged her calls to raise the dead Emperor to Divine status within the dead Emperor to Divine status within the dead Emperor to Divine status within the growing Imperial Pantheon to head the growing Imperial Pantheon to head the growing Imperial Pantheon to head the new Cult of the Divine Claudius the new Cult of the Divine Claudius the new Cult of the Divine Claudius the Senate declared that they could think of Senate declared that they could think of Senate declared that they could think of no no one better than his virtuous Widow no no one better than his virtuous Widow no no one better than his virtuous Widow agripina granted to attendance to agripina granted to attendance to agripina granted to attendance to accompany her in public agripina now had accompany her in public agripina now had accompany her in public agripina now had an outward display of the power she had an outward display of the power she had an outward display of the power she had been acquiring behind the scenes which been acquiring behind the scenes which been acquiring behind the scenes which now included a literal behind the scenes now included a literal behind the scenes now included a literal behind the scenes component as the empress was allowed to component as the empress was allowed to component as the empress was allowed to now attend meetings of the Senate as now attend meetings of the Senate as now attend meetings of the Senate as long as she remained behind a long as she remained behind a long as she remained behind a curtain in the months after Claudius curtain in the months after Claudius curtain in the months after Claudius died agripinaa was at the height of her died agripinaa was at the height of her died agripinaa was at the height of her power and Nero was indeed little more power and Nero was indeed little more power and Nero was indeed little more than a conduit for the will of his than a conduit for the will of his than a conduit for the will of his mother mother mother but it was not just his mother who held but it was not just his mother who held but it was not just his mother who held sway over the boy though narcissus was sway over the boy though narcissus was sway over the boy though narcissus was of course destined to turn up murdered of course destined to turn up murdered of course destined to turn up murdered just months after Nero came to power his just months after Nero came to power his just months after Nero came to power his fellow fredman secretary Palace still fellow fredman secretary Palace still fellow fredman secretary Palace still remained ensconced as the head of the remained ensconced as the head of the remained ensconced as the head of the Imperial Treasury and did not so much Imperial Treasury and did not so much Imperial Treasury and did not so much consult the New Emperor as report what consult the New Emperor as report what consult the New Emperor as report what he had already he had already he had already done this would lead to trouble for done this would lead to trouble for done this would lead to trouble for Palace down the road as would his close Palace down the road as would his close Palace down the road as would his close connection to agripina but for now he connection to agripina but for now he connection to agripina but for now he was even stronger politically than he was even stronger politically than he was even stronger politically than he had been under Claudius had been under Claudius had been under Claudius the other two major players in the early the other two major players in the early the other two major players in the early years of Nero's Reign were the petorian years of Nero's Reign were the petorian years of Nero's Reign were the petorian prefect burus and the tutor Claudius had prefect burus and the tutor Claudius had prefect burus and the tutor Claudius had brought in to educate his adopted son brought in to educate his adopted son brought in to educate his adopted son Lucius anus senica who Beyond his

Lucius anus senica who Beyond his Lucius anus senica who Beyond his political role as tutor and adviser to political role as tutor and adviser to political role as tutor and adviser to Nero is a major figure in the western Nero is a major figure in the western Nero is a major figure in the western philosophical cannon not so much for the philosophical cannon not so much for the philosophical cannon not so much for the originality of his ideas but for the originality of his ideas but for the originality of his ideas but for the role he played in articulating and role he played in articulating and role he played in articulating and translating the stoic philosophy into translating the stoic philosophy into translating the stoic philosophy into comprehensible language his role in comprehensible language his role in comprehensible language his role in Western philosophy then is much like Western philosophy then is much like Western philosophy then is much like ciceros as a compiler and articulator of ciceros as a compiler and articulator of ciceros as a compiler and articulator of ideas that had already been established ideas that had already been established ideas that had already been established elsewhere his influence is magnified by elsewhere his influence is magnified by elsewhere his influence is magnified by the fact that later Christian writers the fact that later Christian writers the fact that later Christian writers seemed to embrace him and so his work seemed to embrace him and so his work seemed to embrace him and so his work continued to be copied and saved rather continued to be copied and saved rather continued to be copied and saved rather than suppressed or destroyed a fate than suppressed or destroyed a fate than suppressed or destroyed a fate which befell most of his which befell most of his which befell most of his contemporaries but for this period contemporaries but for this period contemporaries but for this period senica's role as adviser and teacher of senica's role as adviser and teacher of senica's role as adviser and teacher of Nero is what he was most well known Nero is what he was most well known Nero is what he was most well known for it probably doesn't even need to be for it probably doesn't even need to be for it probably doesn't even need to be said that with all these various said that with all these various said that with all these various advisers coming at Nero from different advisers coming at Nero from different advisers coming at Nero from different angles a mother a captain of the Guard a angles a mother a captain of the Guard a angles a mother a captain of the Guard a philosopher and a Treasurer that there philosopher and a Treasurer that there philosopher and a Treasurer that there would be conflict between them pretty would be conflict between them pretty would be conflict between them pretty soon they broke into two broad camps soon they broke into two broad camps soon they broke into two broad camps with agrina and her lover Palace on one with agrina and her lover Palace on one with agrina and her lover Palace on one side and burus and senica on the other I side and burus and senica on the other I side and burus and senica on the other I think it would be too simplified to say think it would be too simplified to say think it would be too simplified to say that one side pushed agren's personal that one side pushed agren's personal that one side pushed agren's personal interest while the other side pushed for interest while the other side pushed for interest while the other side pushed for Nero to consider the good of the whole Nero to consider the good of the whole Nero to consider the good of the whole empire when making decisions but that is empire when making decisions but that is empire when making decisions but that is sort of how things shook out one telling sort of how things shook out one telling sort of how things shook out one telling scene played out when Nero was to greet scene played out when Nero was to greet scene played out when Nero was to greet the ambassadors arriving from Armenia to the ambassadors arriving from Armenia to the ambassadors arriving from Armenia to the horror of burus and Sena agripina the horror of burus and Sena agripina the horror of burus and Sena agripina seated herself next to Nero a scandalous seated herself next to Nero a scandalous seated herself next to Nero a scandalous move in the patriarchal ancient world

move in the patriarchal ancient world move in the patriarchal ancient world that would have reflected terribly on that would have reflected terribly on that would have reflected terribly on Rome at the last minute they hustled her Rome at the last minute they hustled her Rome at the last minute they hustled her out the door narrowly avoiding what they out the door narrowly avoiding what they out the door narrowly avoiding what they were convinced would have been a huge were convinced would have been a huge were convinced would have been a huge diplomatic diplomatic diplomatic blunder unfortunately for agripina from blunder unfortunately for agripina from blunder unfortunately for agripina from very early on this seemed to be the way very early on this seemed to be the way very early on this seemed to be the way things played out her visions of ruling things played out her visions of ruling things played out her visions of ruling Rome through Nero were smacking into the Rome through Nero were smacking into the Rome through Nero were smacking into the wall of reality because in reality I wall of reality because in reality I wall of reality because in reality I don't know if you know this but don't know if you know this but don't know if you know this but 16-year-olds do not like to be told what 16-year-olds do not like to be told what 16-year-olds do not like to be told what to do by their mothers so Nero quickly to do by their mothers so Nero quickly to do by their mothers so Nero quickly drifted out of agra's orbit in early 55 drifted out of agra's orbit in early 55 drifted out of agra's orbit in early 55 things came to a head over you guessed things came to a head over you guessed things came to a head over you guessed it a girl specifically an ex-slave girl it a girl specifically an ex-slave girl it a girl specifically an ex-slave girl named Claudia named Claudia named Claudia acte dissatisfied with his politically acte dissatisfied with his politically acte dissatisfied with his politically useful marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero useful marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero useful marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero fell head over heels in love with fell head over heels in love with fell head over heels in love with Claudia ate and took her as his mistress Claudia ate and took her as his mistress Claudia ate and took her as his mistress agripina was enraged that her Noble agripina was enraged that her Noble agripina was enraged that her Noble Patrician son was cavorting about with Patrician son was cavorting about with Patrician son was cavorting about with some ex-slave girl and tried to forbid some ex-slave girl and tried to forbid some ex-slave girl and tried to forbid Nero from seeing her but as is so often Nero from seeing her but as is so often Nero from seeing her but as is so often the case this only heightened the appeal the case this only heightened the appeal the case this only heightened the appeal for Nero and instead of shutting out for Nero and instead of shutting out for Nero and instead of shutting out Claudia ACTA he shut out his Claudia ACTA he shut out his Claudia ACTA he shut out his mother senica and others close to Nero mother senica and others close to Nero mother senica and others close to Nero encouraged him to keep his mistress encouraged him to keep his mistress encouraged him to keep his mistress while they played a tricky game to both while they played a tricky game to both while they played a tricky game to both keep the affair secret from some people keep the affair secret from some people keep the affair secret from some people and publicize it to others and publicize it to others and publicize it to others because on the one hand it really was because on the one hand it really was because on the one hand it really was important to maintain his marriage with important to maintain his marriage with important to maintain his marriage with Claudia Octavia but on the other hand Claudia Octavia but on the other hand Claudia Octavia but on the other hand there were some pretty harsh rumors there were some pretty harsh rumors there were some pretty harsh rumors going around about Nero and the true going around about Nero and the true going around about Nero and the true nature of his relationship with his nature of his relationship with his nature of his relationship with his mother that they wanted to mother that they wanted to mother that they wanted to quash as you can imagine after taking

quash as you can imagine after taking quash as you can imagine after taking her own Uncle as a husband it did not her own Uncle as a husband it did not her own Uncle as a husband it did not take long for people to imply things take long for people to imply things take long for people to imply things about what was really going on between about what was really going on between about what was really going on between mother and mother and mother and son there is no evidence that any of it son there is no evidence that any of it son there is no evidence that any of it was true but the charge was out there was true but the charge was out there was true but the charge was out there and so for it to be be known in and so for it to be be known in and so for it to be be known in whispered Corners that Nero had taken a whispered Corners that Nero had taken a whispered Corners that Nero had taken a freed Woman as a consort over the freed Woman as a consort over the freed Woman as a consort over the strenuous objections of agripina was strenuous objections of agripina was strenuous objections of agripina was definitely useful definitely useful definitely useful politically so suddenly agripina was on politically so suddenly agripina was on politically so suddenly agripina was on the outs right at the moment she thought the outs right at the moment she thought the outs right at the moment she thought the whole empire was in her grasp her the whole empire was in her grasp her the whole empire was in her grasp her ungrateful son was trying to take it all ungrateful son was trying to take it all ungrateful son was trying to take it all away from her undeterred though agripina away from her undeterred though agripina away from her undeterred though agripina showed her true colors once again that showed her true colors once again that showed her true colors once again that it never had been about elevating her it never had been about elevating her it never had been about elevating her son for his own sake but rather for her son for his own sake but rather for her son for his own sake but rather for her own sake so in the politics makes own sake so in the politics makes own sake so in the politics makes strange bedfellows Department agripina strange bedfellows Department agripina strange bedfellows Department agripina began calling on britannicus and hinting began calling on britannicus and hinting began calling on britannicus and hinting that he had as much right to the throne that he had as much right to the throne that he had as much right to the throne as Nero less than a year after depriving as Nero less than a year after depriving as Nero less than a year after depriving him of his inheritance agripina suddenly him of his inheritance agripina suddenly him of his inheritance agripina suddenly became britannicus strongest became britannicus strongest became britannicus strongest Advocate the tension between mother and Advocate the tension between mother and Advocate the tension between mother and son grew when Nero decided to dismiss son grew when Nero decided to dismiss son grew when Nero decided to dismiss Palace from his role as Secretary of the Palace from his role as Secretary of the Palace from his role as Secretary of the Treasury as one of the last allies Treasury as one of the last allies Treasury as one of the last allies within the inner circle of power the within the inner circle of power the within the inner circle of power the dismissal of Palace was unacceptable to dismissal of Palace was unacceptable to dismissal of Palace was unacceptable to agripina she promised Nero that if he agripina she promised Nero that if he agripina she promised Nero that if he continued to ignore her that she would continued to ignore her that she would continued to ignore her that she would go to the pretorians with britannicus as go to the pretorians with britannicus as go to the pretorians with britannicus as soon as the boy came of age and reveal soon as the boy came of age and reveal soon as the boy came of age and reveal her own part in the death of Claudius her own part in the death of Claudius her own part in the death of Claudius whereupon the guard would reject the whereupon the guard would reject the whereupon the guard would reject the usurper Nero in favor of the true Heir usurper Nero in favor of the true Heir usurper Nero in favor of the true Heir britannicus but in this I think agripina

britannicus but in this I think agripina britannicus but in this I think agripina badly misplayed her hand whether she was badly misplayed her hand whether she was badly misplayed her hand whether she was simply using britannicus as leverage to simply using britannicus as leverage to simply using britannicus as leverage to force her way back into a position of force her way back into a position of force her way back into a position of influence or whether she had determined influence or whether she had determined influence or whether she had determined her relationship with Nero was her relationship with Nero was her relationship with Nero was irreconcilable ilable and was actually irreconcilable ilable and was actually irreconcilable ilable and was actually planning to help britannicus gain the planning to help britannicus gain the planning to help britannicus gain the throne her decision to wave these throne her decision to wave these throne her decision to wave these threats around before britannicus came threats around before britannicus came threats around before britannicus came of age was a tactical of age was a tactical of age was a tactical blunder had she waited the few months blunder had she waited the few months blunder had she waited the few months for britannicus to come of age she could for britannicus to come of age she could for britannicus to come of age she could have then threatened to take the young have then threatened to take the young have then threatened to take the young man to the borian right this very second man to the borian right this very second man to the borian right this very second if you don't give me what I want instead if you don't give me what I want instead if you don't give me what I want instead she telegraphed her moves too early she telegraphed her moves too early she telegraphed her moves too early giving Nero a chance to nullify the giving Nero a chance to nullify the giving Nero a chance to nullify the threat before it actually became a threat before it actually became a threat before it actually became a problem not surprisingly on the day problem not surprisingly on the day problem not surprisingly on the day before he was to on an adults toga before he was to on an adults toga before he was to on an adults toga britannicus was invited to dinner at the britannicus was invited to dinner at the britannicus was invited to dinner at the Imperial Palace his drink was poisoned Imperial Palace his drink was poisoned Imperial Palace his drink was poisoned and foaming at the mouth he died right and foaming at the mouth he died right and foaming at the mouth he died right there on the spot what did agripina there on the spot what did agripina there on the spot what did agripina think was going to think was going to think was going to happen at this point though agripina happen at this point though agripina happen at this point though agripina remained popular with the people and remained popular with the people and remained popular with the people and maintained her own informal network of maintained her own informal network of maintained her own informal network of clients her dreams of ruling Rome clients her dreams of ruling Rome clients her dreams of ruling Rome through her son were dead at some point through her son were dead at some point through her son were dead at some point either in 55 or 57 ad Nero ordered her either in 55 or 57 ad Nero ordered her either in 55 or 57 ad Nero ordered her to leave the Imperial Palace and she was to leave the Imperial Palace and she was to leave the Imperial Palace and she was forced to retire to a villa outside of forced to retire to a villa outside of forced to retire to a villa outside of Rome but agripino was not the only one Rome but agripino was not the only one Rome but agripino was not the only one to be cast aside by this teenager who to be cast aside by this teenager who to be cast aside by this teenager who was slowly coming to realized that he was slowly coming to realized that he was slowly coming to realized that he was the emperor not the cunning advisers was the emperor not the cunning advisers was the emperor not the cunning advisers who swirled around who swirled around who swirled around him when Palace was dismissed he was him when Palace was dismissed he was him when Palace was dismissed he was accused of conspiring to bring Fus suah accused of conspiring to bring Fus suah accused of conspiring to bring Fus suah the husband of Claudia Antonia and the

the husband of Claudia Antonia and the the husband of Claudia Antonia and the man who narcissus had once seen as the man who narcissus had once seen as the man who narcissus had once seen as the best candidate to succeed Claudius to best candidate to succeed Claudius to best candidate to succeed Claudius to the throne the petorian prefect burus the throne the petorian prefect burus the throne the petorian prefect burus was caught up with similar charges and was caught up with similar charges and was caught up with similar charges and senica was suddenly accused of senica was suddenly accused of senica was suddenly accused of embezzlement and maintaining a embezzlement and maintaining a embezzlement and maintaining a relationship with relationship with relationship with agripina through the influence of senica agripina through the influence of senica agripina through the influence of senica all three men were ultimately cleared of all three men were ultimately cleared of all three men were ultimately cleared of the charges but almost in a Flash the the charges but almost in a Flash the the charges but almost in a Flash the ruling Dynamic had ruling Dynamic had ruling Dynamic had changed burus and senica returned to changed burus and senica returned to changed burus and senica returned to their positions within the their positions within the their positions within the administration but in the future they administration but in the future they administration but in the future they treaded far more lightly than they had treaded far more lightly than they had treaded far more lightly than they had in the past Nero had clearly decided in the past Nero had clearly decided in the past Nero had clearly decided that he was his own that he was his own that he was his own man so who was this man up until now now man so who was this man up until now now man so who was this man up until now now he's been little more than a supporting he's been little more than a supporting he's been little more than a supporting character his own personality almost character his own personality almost character his own personality almost invisible behind the dominating presence invisible behind the dominating presence invisible behind the dominating presence of his mother and his other of his mother and his other of his mother and his other advisers if he is now going to start advisers if he is now going to start advisers if he is now going to start acting more on his own impulses acting more on his own impulses acting more on his own impulses following his own desires and whims it following his own desires and whims it following his own desires and whims it will probably be helpful for us to know will probably be helpful for us to know will probably be helpful for us to know what motivated the young what motivated the young what motivated the young Emperor right up front the obvious thing Emperor right up front the obvious thing Emperor right up front the obvious thing to note is his age Nero ascended to the to note is his age Nero ascended to the to note is his age Nero ascended to the throne when he was barely 16 years old throne when he was barely 16 years old throne when he was barely 16 years old and I don't know about you guys but when and I don't know about you guys but when and I don't know about you guys but when I think of myself at 16 I think of myself at 16 I think of myself at 16 let's just say I think it's crazy anyone let's just say I think it's crazy anyone let's just say I think it's crazy anyone even trusted me with a driver's license even trusted me with a driver's license even trusted me with a driver's license now of course being so young doesn't now of course being so young doesn't now of course being so young doesn't necessarily preclude sound judgment necessarily preclude sound judgment necessarily preclude sound judgment Augustus himself was not so much older Augustus himself was not so much older Augustus himself was not so much older when he began his meteoric rise and when he began his meteoric rise and when he began his meteoric rise and skipio Africanus scoffed at the age skipio Africanus scoffed at the age skipio Africanus scoffed at the age requirements on his way to defeating requirements on his way to defeating requirements on his way to defeating Hannibal and bringing an end to the

Hannibal and bringing an end to the Hannibal and bringing an end to the Second Punic War but both Augustus and Second Punic War but both Augustus and Second Punic War but both Augustus and skipio despite their youth had already skipio despite their youth had already skipio despite their youth had already been tempered by experience Julius been tempered by experience Julius been tempered by experience Julius Caesar brought Octavian early into his Caesar brought Octavian early into his Caesar brought Octavian early into his administration to teach the boy how to administration to teach the boy how to administration to teach the boy how to govern and skipio had served alongside govern and skipio had served alongside govern and skipio had served alongside his father during the early disastrous his father during the early disastrous his father during the early disastrous campaigns against the invading campaigns against the invading campaigns against the invading carthaginians Nero in addition to his carthaginians Nero in addition to his carthaginians Nero in addition to his youth had no such experience to fall youth had no such experience to fall youth had no such experience to fall back on he had fought no battles and back on he had fought no battles and back on he had fought no battles and despite serving as a pro Consul at the despite serving as a pro Consul at the despite serving as a pro Consul at the end of claudius's Reign little had been end of claudius's Reign little had been end of claudius's Reign little had been expected of him and he had expected of him and he had expected of him and he had delivered perhaps the greatest delivered perhaps the greatest delivered perhaps the greatest distinction that can be drawn between distinction that can be drawn between distinction that can be drawn between young Nero and young Augustus or young young Nero and young Augustus or young young Nero and young Augustus or young skipio is that the latter two were skipio is that the latter two were skipio is that the latter two were driven by an ambition to hold power and driven by an ambition to hold power and driven by an ambition to hold power and use that power to shape the world in use that power to shape the world in use that power to shape the world in which they lived they understood how to which they lived they understood how to which they lived they understood how to use propaganda to achieve the level of use propaganda to achieve the level of use propaganda to achieve the level of popularity needed to wield the power popularity needed to wield the power popularity needed to wield the power they sought but to them popularity was a they sought but to them popularity was a they sought but to them popularity was a means to an end for Nero popularity means to an end for Nero popularity means to an end for Nero popularity would prove to be an end unto would prove to be an end unto would prove to be an end unto itself over the course of his Reign some itself over the course of his Reign some itself over the course of his Reign some of his policies can be described as good of his policies can be described as good of his policies can be described as good others as terrible debacles some as others as terrible debacles some as others as terrible debacles some as compassionate others as unimaginably compassionate others as unimaginably compassionate others as unimaginably cruel but almost without exception they cruel but almost without exception they cruel but almost without exception they were all undertaken not in pursuit of were all undertaken not in pursuit of were all undertaken not in pursuit of some greater vision of the betterment of some greater vision of the betterment of some greater vision of the betterment of Rome but rather because Nero was Rome but rather because Nero was Rome but rather because Nero was Desperately Seeking the approval of his Desperately Seeking the approval of his Desperately Seeking the approval of his people and while all politicians have to people and while all politicians have to people and while all politicians have to keep one eye on the polls whether they keep one eye on the polls whether they keep one eye on the polls whether they admit it or not no truly successful

admit it or not no truly successful admit it or not no truly successful politician has ever simply followed the politician has ever simply followed the politician has ever simply followed the lurching desires of the public wherever lurching desires of the public wherever lurching desires of the public wherever that may lead because the public is an that may lead because the public is an that may lead because the public is an irrational self-interest interested irrational self-interest interested irrational self-interest interested shortsighted blob of contradictions and shortsighted blob of contradictions and shortsighted blob of contradictions and at a certain point the successful leader at a certain point the successful leader at a certain point the successful leader has to identify what he or she wants to has to identify what he or she wants to has to identify what he or she wants to do what he or she thinks is necessary to do what he or she thinks is necessary to do what he or she thinks is necessary to do and then just do it actually be a do and then just do it actually be a do and then just do it actually be a leader not just a leader not just a leader not just a follower I don't think Nero ever did follower I don't think Nero ever did follower I don't think Nero ever did grasp this idea nor does it appear that grasp this idea nor does it appear that grasp this idea nor does it appear that he ever really tried to grasp that idea he ever really tried to grasp that idea he ever really tried to grasp that idea though it is worth noting that Nero was though it is worth noting that Nero was though it is worth noting that Nero was pretty successful at being popular which pretty successful at being popular which pretty successful at being popular which is the metric by which at least he is the metric by which at least he is the metric by which at least he measured himself after he died huge measured himself after he died huge measured himself after he died huge swaths of the public especially the poor swaths of the public especially the poor swaths of the public especially the poor masses mourned his death and pined for a masses mourned his death and pined for a masses mourned his death and pined for a return of their beloved young Nero so he return of their beloved young Nero so he return of their beloved young Nero so he never became the out andout Pariah that never became the out andout Pariah that never became the out andout Pariah that Caligula turned out to be which is why Caligula turned out to be which is why Caligula turned out to be which is why Nero for all his fault will not go down Nero for all his fault will not go down Nero for all his fault will not go down as the worst Emperor as the worst Emperor as the worst Emperor ever while his underlying governing ever while his underlying governing ever while his underlying governing philosophy was fundamentally flawed the philosophy was fundamentally flawed the philosophy was fundamentally flawed the results were in no way uniformly results were in no way uniformly results were in no way uniformly terrible one of the reasons though that terrible one of the reasons though that terrible one of the reasons though that he has received such a bad rap is that he has received such a bad rap is that he has received such a bad rap is that while the poor masses may have loved him while the poor masses may have loved him while the poor masses may have loved him for all the games he threw the programs for all the games he threw the programs for all the games he threw the programs he expanded and the taxes that he he expanded and the taxes that he he expanded and the taxes that he slashed the wealthy upper classes the slashed the wealthy upper classes the slashed the wealthy upper classes the Senators and equites couldn't stand him Senators and equites couldn't stand him Senators and equites couldn't stand him to them Nero was an embarrassment an to them Nero was an embarrassment an to them Nero was an embarrassment an honorless hedonist whose very existence honorless hedonist whose very existence honorless hedonist whose very existence was an affront to the memory of a Rome was an affront to the memory of a Rome was an affront to the memory of a Rome once proud of its virtuous character and

once proud of its virtuous character and once proud of its virtuous character and guess who has the leisure time to write guess who has the leisure time to write guess who has the leisure time to write the history books that we read today the history books that we read today the history books that we read today that's right the very same wealthy that's right the very same wealthy that's right the very same wealthy Aristocrats who couldn't stand the Aristocrats who couldn't stand the Aristocrats who couldn't stand the insufferable Punk to begin with now it insufferable Punk to begin with now it insufferable Punk to begin with now it should also be pointed out that Nero has should also be pointed out that Nero has should also be pointed out that Nero has a very bad reputation today also because a very bad reputation today also because a very bad reputation today also because of his zealous persecution of early of his zealous persecution of early of his zealous persecution of early Christians and as most of us now live Christians and as most of us now live Christians and as most of us now live under the umbrella of Christian under the umbrella of Christian under the umbrella of Christian civilization it is no great wonder that civilization it is no great wonder that civilization it is no great wonder that a man who was so cruel to the early a man who was so cruel to the early a man who was so cruel to the early church will wind up being portrayed in church will wind up being portrayed in church will wind up being portrayed in the most negative light the most negative light the most negative light possible but I don't want to lose track possible but I don't want to lose track possible but I don't want to lose track of where I'm going with this and I'll of where I'm going with this and I'll of where I'm going with this and I'll return to the topic of Nero's return to the topic of Nero's return to the topic of Nero's relationship with early Christians later relationship with early Christians later relationship with early Christians later because right now I want to Pivot into because right now I want to Pivot into because right now I want to Pivot into why the aristocratic classes saw Nero as why the aristocratic classes saw Nero as why the aristocratic classes saw Nero as such an embarrassment and why despite such an embarrassment and why despite such an embarrassment and why despite the fact that from very early on he the fact that from very early on he the fact that from very early on he tried to give the Senate more autonomy tried to give the Senate more autonomy tried to give the Senate more autonomy they never did support they never did support they never did support him in the Roman World there were things him in the Roman World there were things him in the Roman World there were things you could do that would be considered you could do that would be considered you could do that would be considered good and virtuous and things you could good and virtuous and things you could good and virtuous and things you could do that would be considered beneath the do that would be considered beneath the do that would be considered beneath the Dignity of a leading Roman citizen in Dignity of a leading Roman citizen in Dignity of a leading Roman citizen in the former Camp you have things that the former Camp you have things that the former Camp you have things that we've already discussed at length we've already discussed at length we've already discussed at length serving in the legions winning battles serving in the legions winning battles serving in the legions winning battles holding public office delivering holding public office delivering holding public office delivering articulate and persuasive articulate and persuasive articulate and persuasive orations in the latter Camp well there orations in the latter Camp well there orations in the latter Camp well there are many things you're not supposed to are many things you're not supposed to are many things you're not supposed to do but what I want to specifically do but what I want to specifically do but what I want to specifically highlight right now is the Roman highlight right now is the Roman highlight right now is the Roman antipathy towards the entertainment antipathy towards the entertainment antipathy towards the entertainment industry and hopefully convey just how industry and hopefully convey just how industry and hopefully convey just how big of a deal it was that Nero just big of a deal it was that Nero just big of a deal it was that Nero just wanted to wanted to wanted to dance today of course actors athletes

dance today of course actors athletes dance today of course actors athletes and musicians sit on the highest rung of and musicians sit on the highest rung of and musicians sit on the highest rung of the social lab L but in the Roman world the social lab L but in the Roman world the social lab L but in the Roman world this was reversed actors dancers this was reversed actors dancers this was reversed actors dancers Gladiators and musicians were the lowest Gladiators and musicians were the lowest Gladiators and musicians were the lowest of the low it was practically better to of the low it was practically better to of the low it was practically better to be a slave than to be an be a slave than to be an be a slave than to be an Entertainer not that Romans didn't enjoy Entertainer not that Romans didn't enjoy Entertainer not that Romans didn't enjoy their theater and their gladiatorial their theater and their gladiatorial their theater and their gladiatorial games just that when the performance was games just that when the performance was games just that when the performance was over the stars of the show who you've over the stars of the show who you've over the stars of the show who you've just been applauding wildly are shunted just been applauding wildly are shunted just been applauding wildly are shunted off into the deepest recesses of the off into the deepest recesses of the off into the deepest recesses of the worst ghettos being an Entertainer in worst ghettos being an Entertainer in worst ghettos being an Entertainer in ancient Rome was to be an untouchable ancient Rome was to be an untouchable ancient Rome was to be an untouchable and it was Unthinkable that a patrician and it was Unthinkable that a patrician and it was Unthinkable that a patrician in good standing would ever risk his in good standing would ever risk his in good standing would ever risk his reputation by ever being seen in public reputation by ever being seen in public reputation by ever being seen in public with an actor let alone perform on the with an actor let alone perform on the with an actor let alone perform on the stage stage stage himself side note patricians in good himself side note patricians in good himself side note patricians in good standing as Aristocrats of every age standing as Aristocrats of every age standing as Aristocrats of every age have done slummed it up regularly with have done slummed it up regularly with have done slummed it up regularly with actors and Gladiators alike so it was actors and Gladiators alike so it was actors and Gladiators alike so it was really Unthinkable in that kind of no really Unthinkable in that kind of no really Unthinkable in that kind of no one ever likes to talk about what one ever likes to talk about what one ever likes to talk about what everyone is doing sort of way anyway everyone is doing sort of way anyway everyone is doing sort of way anyway Along Comes Nero he has never served in Along Comes Nero he has never served in Along Comes Nero he has never served in the legance has never won a battle he the legance has never won a battle he the legance has never won a battle he had barely scratched the surface of a had barely scratched the surface of a had barely scratched the surface of a public career before becoming Emperor public career before becoming Emperor public career before becoming Emperor and it was widely known that he did not and it was widely known that he did not and it was widely known that he did not even write his own speeches a sad State even write his own speeches a sad State even write his own speeches a sad State of Affairs that not even Caligula had of Affairs that not even Caligula had of Affairs that not even Caligula had been reduced to none of these virtuous been reduced to none of these virtuous been reduced to none of these virtuous Roman ideals seemed to get Nero's motor Roman ideals seemed to get Nero's motor Roman ideals seemed to get Nero's motor running instead he obsessively practiced running instead he obsessively practiced running instead he obsessively practiced his liar the small heart popular in the his liar the small heart popular in the his liar the small heart popular in the Greco Roman world and he talked often of Greco Roman world and he talked often of Greco Roman world and he talked often of joining in the gladiatorial games where joining in the gladiatorial games where joining in the gladiatorial games where he dreamed of becoming a great

he dreamed of becoming a great he dreamed of becoming a great charioteer charioteer charioteer it would be a few years before he had it would be a few years before he had it would be a few years before he had the courage to pursue these dreams but the courage to pursue these dreams but the courage to pursue these dreams but from the beginning it was clear that from the beginning it was clear that from the beginning it was clear that Nero cared more about performing his Nero cared more about performing his Nero cared more about performing his music than he did about major Affairs of music than he did about major Affairs of music than he did about major Affairs of state if you called on the emperor you state if you called on the emperor you state if you called on the emperor you were as likely to wind up being forced were as likely to wind up being forced were as likely to wind up being forced to sit through his new set as you were to sit through his new set as you were to sit through his new set as you were to discuss the provincial tax policies to discuss the provincial tax policies to discuss the provincial tax policies you had actually come to discuss it you had actually come to discuss it you had actually come to discuss it cannot be understated how much this cannot be understated how much this cannot be understated how much this bugged the conservative upper bugged the conservative upper bugged the conservative upper classes adding to their distaste for classes adding to their distaste for classes adding to their distaste for Nero was the fact that Beyond his Nero was the fact that Beyond his Nero was the fact that Beyond his embarrassing Hobbies the emperor clearly embarrassing Hobbies the emperor clearly embarrassing Hobbies the emperor clearly had a cruel streak and that that cruel had a cruel streak and that that cruel had a cruel streak and that that cruel streak was often directed at Nobles whom streak was often directed at Nobles whom streak was often directed at Nobles whom he considered a threat from the very he considered a threat from the very he considered a threat from the very beginning anyone considered an enemy of beginning anyone considered an enemy of beginning anyone considered an enemy of the new emperor was charged with treason the new emperor was charged with treason the new emperor was charged with treason and and and executed the Bloodshed would reach its executed the Bloodshed would reach its executed the Bloodshed would reach its peak in ' 62 and' 63 ad when the killing peak in ' 62 and' 63 ad when the killing peak in ' 62 and' 63 ad when the killing became more indiscriminate with everyone became more indiscriminate with everyone became more indiscriminate with everyone afraid that they might be next a major afraid that they might be next a major afraid that they might be next a major conspiracy to overthrow nuro was conspiracy to overthrow nuro was conspiracy to overthrow nuro was initiated in response but it was initiated in response but it was initiated in response but it was discovered in 65 ad and dozens of men discovered in 65 ad and dozens of men discovered in 65 ad and dozens of men including at this point senica were including at this point senica were including at this point senica were swallowed up in the postc conspiracy swallowed up in the postc conspiracy swallowed up in the postc conspiracy purges but perhaps the greatest example purges but perhaps the greatest example purges but perhaps the greatest example of Nero's cruelty was the fate of his of Nero's cruelty was the fate of his of Nero's cruelty was the fate of his own own own mother after years spent a strange from mother after years spent a strange from mother after years spent a strange from her son agripina once again popped up on her son agripina once again popped up on her son agripina once again popped up on Nero's radar in 58 ad and the emperor Nero's radar in 58 ad and the emperor Nero's radar in 58 ad and the emperor came to the conclusion that he wanted to came to the conclusion that he wanted to came to the conclusion that he wanted to eliminate this blip once and for eliminate this blip once and for eliminate this blip once and for all the traditional account is that

all the traditional account is that all the traditional account is that having never been happy with his having never been happy with his having never been happy with his marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero took up marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero took up marriage to Claudia Octavia Nero took up with a woman named papea Sabina the wife with a woman named papea Sabina the wife with a woman named papea Sabina the wife of oo future year of the four Emperors of oo future year of the four Emperors of oo future year of the four Emperors oo Nero wanted to marry her but agripina oo Nero wanted to marry her but agripina oo Nero wanted to marry her but agripina promised to raise holy hell if he promised to raise holy hell if he promised to raise holy hell if he abandoned his politically valuable abandoned his politically valuable abandoned his politically valuable marriage with Claudia marriage with Claudia marriage with Claudia Octavia having had quite enough of this Octavia having had quite enough of this Octavia having had quite enough of this Nero believed that he would never be Nero believed that he would never be Nero believed that he would never be free of his mother until she was dead so free of his mother until she was dead so free of his mother until she was dead so he decided to have her he decided to have her he decided to have her killed it has been pointed out that killed it has been pointed out that killed it has been pointed out that there are chronological problems with there are chronological problems with there are chronological problems with this account though that while Agri was this account though that while Agri was this account though that while Agri was killed in 59 Nero did not marry papea killed in 59 Nero did not marry papea killed in 59 Nero did not marry papea until 3 years later so the link between until 3 years later so the link between until 3 years later so the link between the two events seems dicey at best and the two events seems dicey at best and the two events seems dicey at best and probably reflects an echo effect of the probably reflects an echo effect of the probably reflects an echo effect of the earlier incident with Claudia earlier incident with Claudia earlier incident with Claudia acte others have argued that it was acte others have argued that it was acte others have argued that it was agripinaa a parent support for one of agripinaa a parent support for one of agripinaa a parent support for one of Nero's cousins guas rebellious plotus Nero's cousins guas rebellious plotus Nero's cousins guas rebellious plotus that finally did her in this claim which that finally did her in this claim which that finally did her in this claim which Echoes the incident with britannicus Echoes the incident with britannicus Echoes the incident with britannicus seems to be more plausible as it seems to be more plausible as it seems to be more plausible as it represented a clear political threat to represented a clear political threat to represented a clear political threat to Nero rather than just more insufferable Nero rather than just more insufferable Nero rather than just more insufferable meddling from his overbearing meddling from his overbearing meddling from his overbearing mother whatever the cause Nero set mother whatever the cause Nero set mother whatever the cause Nero set himself upon a course of mattress side himself upon a course of mattress side himself upon a course of mattress side according to the ancient sources though according to the ancient sources though according to the ancient sources though things did not exactly come off without things did not exactly come off without things did not exactly come off without a hitch depending on who you listen to a hitch depending on who you listen to a hitch depending on who you listen to Nero tried and failed three times to Nero tried and failed three times to Nero tried and failed three times to have her poisoned tried once to rig the have her poisoned tried once to rig the have her poisoned tried once to rig the ceiling above her bed to collapse while ceiling above her bed to collapse while ceiling above her bed to collapse while she slept and once succeeded in she slept and once succeeded in she slept and once succeeded in shipwreck a boat she was on only to find shipwreck a boat she was on only to find shipwreck a boat she was on only to find out later that she had swam to

out later that she had swam to out later that she had swam to safety in the end he abandoned his safety in the end he abandoned his safety in the end he abandoned his attempt to frame her death as an attempt to frame her death as an attempt to frame her death as an accident and sent an assassin to Simply accident and sent an assassin to Simply accident and sent an assassin to Simply stab her to death this time the attempt stab her to death this time the attempt stab her to death this time the attempt was was was successful according to Legend her last successful according to Legend her last successful according to Legend her last words were Smite my womb but as they say words were Smite my womb but as they say words were Smite my womb but as they say you can't really close the Barn Door you can't really close the Barn Door you can't really close the Barn Door after the horses have already taken after the horses have already taken after the horses have already taken off Nero announced that his mother had off Nero announced that his mother had off Nero announced that his mother had been discovered plotting against his been discovered plotting against his been discovered plotting against his life and that in response to the life and that in response to the life and that in response to the Discovery she had committed suicide no Discovery she had committed suicide no Discovery she had committed suicide no one believed it of course but that's one believed it of course but that's one believed it of course but that's what the official story was The what the official story was The what the official story was The Unofficial story was that for years Unofficial story was that for years Unofficial story was that for years afterwards Nero was racked with guilt afterwards Nero was racked with guilt afterwards Nero was racked with guilt and believed that he was being haunted and believed that he was being haunted and believed that he was being haunted by the ghost of his murdered mother next week we'll delve into the mother next week we'll delve into the eventful years of Nero's Reign after the eventful years of Nero's Reign after the eventful years of Nero's Reign after the death of agripina the 60s ad proved to death of agripina the 60s ad proved to death of agripina the 60s ad proved to be a turbulent time for Rome as revolts be a turbulent time for Rome as revolts be a turbulent time for Rome as revolts broke out in Judea and Britannia and the broke out in Judea and Britannia and the broke out in Judea and Britannia and the parthan Empire decided to take advantage parthan Empire decided to take advantage parthan Empire decided to take advantage of the young and inexperienced emperor of the young and inexperienced emperor of the young and inexperienced emperor of Rome by encroaching on the Roman of Rome by encroaching on the Roman of Rome by encroaching on the Roman borders in the east then this is to say borders in the east then this is to say borders in the east then this is to say nothing of the great fire that nothing of the great fire that nothing of the great fire that devastated Rome itself in' 65 ad through devastated Rome itself in' 65 ad through devastated Rome itself in' 65 ad through which Nero is famously said to have which Nero is famously said to have which Nero is famously said to have fiddled his way through but we all know fiddled his way through but we all know fiddled his way through but we all know now that this story could not possibly now that this story could not possibly now that this story could not possibly be true because Nero did not play the be true because Nero did not play the be true because Nero did not play the fiddle he played the liar fiddle he played the liar fiddle he played the liar [Music]