8.  Who was sent into that country, and what occurred in consequence?

9.  What resolution did Claudius form?

10.  Did he perform any memorable exploits?

11.  Was his return celebrated?

12.  Was the war in Britain now at an end?

13.  Did this finish the war?

14.  Who were the most formidable adversaries of the Romans?

15.  How did he distinguish himself?

16.  By what means did he strengthen the courage of his troops?

17.  Were his efforts successful?

18.  What happened on his arrival in Rome?

19.  What was his behaviour before the emperor?

20.  Did Claudius continue to govern well?

21.  Who was the chief instigator of his cruelties?

22.  Who was the second wife of Claudius, and what was her conduct towards him?

23.  What was the consequence of this unguarded expression?

24.  On what did she at length resolve?

25.  What effect did it produce?

26.  Did he recover?

[Illustration:  Rome set on fire, by order of Nero.]

SECTION VII.

U.C. 793—­A.D. 55.

  That so, obstructing those that quenched the fire,
  He might at once destroy rebellious Rome.—­Lee.

1.  Nero, though but seventeen years old, began his reign with the general approbation of mankind.  He appeared just, liberal, and humane.  When a warrant for the execution of a criminal was brought to be signed, he would cry out with compassion, “Would to heaven that I had never learned to write!”

2.  But as he increased in years, his native disposition began to show itself.  The execution of his mother Agrippi’na was the first alarming instance he gave of his cruelty.  After attempting to get her drowned at sea, he ordered her to be put to death in her palace; and coming to gaze upon the dead body, was heard to say, that he had never thought his mother so handsome a woman.

The manner of his attempt to drown her was extremely singular.  He caused a vessel to be constructed that, by withdrawing some bolts, would separate in the open sea, and thus give her death the appearance of a shipwreck.  Agrippi’na, naturally suspicious, at first refused to go on board; but, lulled into security by the artful blandishments of her son, she embarked.  The attempt was made; but Agrippi’na was taken up by some fisher-boats, and conveyed to her own villa.  The very great calmness of the sea prevented the possibility of its being considered as an accident.  Agrippi’na, however, dissembled her suspicions, and informed the emperor of her wonderful escape.  Three years after the death of his mother, he murdered his tutor Burrhus, and also his wife Octavia, a young princess of admirable virtue and beauty that he might marry the infamous Poppae’a.