Chapter 11 Summary

The events of this chapter primarily occur during 5 AD. Widespread famine and resultant political unrest sweep through Rome. To divert attention from problems, Augustus proclaims a series of public games to honor the popular late general Drusus, Claudius' father. Claudius bears most of the cost, and Germanicus bears the remainder. Once the reckoning is complete, Claudius is shocked at the vast expenditure. During the events, Claudius attends his first sword fight. One of the fighters, Cassius Chzhrea, wins against long odds; his nickname of "Roach" contributes to making him a crowd favorite—Claudius singles him out for mention because he recurs in the narrative. Eventually, the intensity of watching men kill and dismember each other causes him to faint and go into a convulsive fit. Livia later points to his public fainting as being conclusive evidence that he is unfit for any...