Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 details events beginning in 41 BC and extending until 31 BC. Claudius' biological father was Nero Claudius Drusus, known as Drusus; his biological mother was Antonia. His mother's parents were Mark Antony and Octavia, the sister of Augustus Caesar. His father's parents were Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia, who had divorced—Livia subsequently married Augustus Caesar. Claudius had one older brother, Germanicus, and one older sister, Livilla. Claudius' paternal uncle is Tiberius, the future Caesar.

Claudius briefly recounts the political and military history of the formation of the Roman triumvirate of power between Augustus Caesar, Mark Anthony, and Pompey. The establishment of this government marked the temporary end of extensive civil war within the empire; the government's structure was also inherently unstable, however. During this period, Livia met and married Augustus and began to subtly guide his thoughts and shape his policies. After...