1. Claudius and Nero Claudius 41-54 Nero 54-68

2. Claudius Marries his Cousin • Messalina, wife of Claudius • Her lover, Gaius Silius, “the best looking man in Rome” • “It was as though the empire changed hands, since the imperial slaves, ex-slaves and furniture were found in his home”

3. Claudius Keeps Busy • Introduces three new characters to the alphabet • “The three letters that he invented become obsolete after his reign” • Note the theme of Claudius’ legacy not lasting beyond his reign • His son, Britannicus, does not succeed him to the throne

4. Messalina Comes to a Bad End • While Claudius is at Ostia, Messalina marries Silius in public • How could Messalina have done this? And why? • “All that is left is for you to make a decent end” • Claudius asks for more wine

5. Nero’s Mother • Claudius marries his niece, Agrippina (II) • Daughter of Agrippina (I) and Germanicus • Her son, Claudius’s stepson, is Germanicus’s grandson • He will become Nero, the next emperor

6. Agrippina • Her son is adopted by Claudius • Claudius’s son by Messalina, Britannicus, is afterwards treated as second-best • Nero becomes consul and “Prince of Youth”

7. Murder of Claudius • Agrippina decides to poison Claudius • Too sudden – obvious • Too slow – Claudius might come to his senses and restore Britannicus

8. Murder, Part II • Claudius loves mushrooms • Slow acting poison can allay suspicion • A feather dipped in poison does the trick