Episode 40: Messalina's Power Increases

Episode 40: Messalina's Power Increases

Messalina continued to use her power to surreptitiously attack potential rivals, secure alliances, and manipulate her husband. She also succeeds in eliminating her own stepfather after he spurned her advances.    King Herod Agrippa chooses a new high priest and deals mercifully with a critic. SHOWNOTES Elimination of Julia Livia and the public mourning of Pomponia Graecina (Tacitus, Annals, 13.43; Suetonius, Claudius, 29; Cassius Dio, Roman History, 60.18.4) Herod Agrippa's activities in Judea (Josephus, Antiquities, 19.6.4; 19.7.2-4). Claudius' Character (Suetonius, Claudius, 33; Cassius Dio, 60.18) Messalina and her stepfather Appius Silanus (Suetonius, Claudius 37; Cassius Dio 60.14)

Episode 39: Problems in Dor and an attempted coup fails

Herod Agrippa deftly managed a potential crisis by lobbying the Roman governor of Syria, Petronius to defend the rights of Jews so recently made clear by imperial decree. Claudius deifies Livia, years after her death and also allowed the return of exiled Gaius Calpurnius Piso, who uses his newfound freedom to seduce the wife of a friend.  Roman senators stationed in the east as governors hatch a plot to overthrow Claudius. After a moment of weakness, Claudius stands firm and the coup fails.  SHOWNOTES Events in Dor, including the letter from Petronius (Josephus. Antiquities. 19.6.3). Piso seducing Atria Gallia from her husband Domitius Silus (Tacitus, Annals, 4.34). Failed plot against Tiberius, and Arria's famous last words (Pliny, Letters, 3.6; Tacitus, Annals 16.34; Cassius Dio 60.16.5-6; Marial 1.13.5).

Episode 38: The First Years of Claudius' Reign

To assist in the administration of the empire, Claudius empowered three freedmen: Pallas, Narcissus, and Callistus. In an attempt to calm the nerves of gardners who are haunted by Caligula's ghost, Julia Livilla and Agrippina exhume his body to give him a proper funeral.   Julia Livilla is taken as a threat by Messalina, who has her exiled and killed. Seneca is also accused but he is merely exiled to Corsica.  Claudius decreed a special edict for Jews in Rome forbidding them from meeting in public places.    SHOWNOTES The archaeological remains of the Lamian gardens: https://www.museoninfeo.it/en/the-museum/ [https://www.museoninfeo.it/en/the-museum/] Claudius' edict (Dio Cassius, Roman History, 60.6.6)

Episode 37: Claudius makes Herod Agrippa King of Judea

The new emperor Claudius began by repaying his friends and supporters, chief among them, Herod Agrippa, who was named King of Judea. At Herod Agrippa's urging, Claudius reaffirmed the Roman policy of religious tolerance, especially as it applied to the Jews.   Cassius, the governor of Asia, whose execution had been ordered by Caligula, escaped with his life due to the death of the princeps.  Julia Livilla and Agrippina return to Rome from exile. Julia Livilla finds herself on the wrong end of Messalina's wrath whereas Agrippa, the young, widowed mother, finds a new husband, that of her sister-in-law, Domitia Lepida.     SHOWNOTES That Claudius had become emperor, mirabili casu, by a remarkable chance (Suet., Claud. 10). Herod Agrippa material in this episode (Jos. Ant. 19.5-6) Material about Claudius, Messalina, and Agrippina comes from Tacitus, Annals, 11-12. Agrippina and Galba (Suet. Galba, 5).

Episode 36: Caligula Assassinated Claudius to the Throne

Gaius' cruelty finally caught up with him and he was the first of many emperors to be assassinated. His wife and daughter were also killed. In what later seemed like an accident of history, soldiers proclaimed the drooling and stuttering Claudius, who was hiding behind a curtain, to be the next princeps. The assassins were themselves put to death since it did not seem like a good idea to praise and reward those who killed the emperor. SHOWNOTES Gaius misreading the Fortunes and executes his former brother-in-law, Lucius Cassius Longinus (Suet, Caligula, 57.3 cf. Dio Cassius 59.29.2). Story of Gaius' assassination (Jos. Ant. 19.1.13 [93-98]). Story of the assassination of Gaius' wife and daughter (Jos. Ant. 19.2 [251-252]). Claudius giving the soldiers 15000 sesterces each (Suet. Claudius. 10.1) Execution of the assassins (Jos. Ant. 19.263-273).