Chapter 12 Summary

The events of this chapter primarily occur during 9 AD. The next few years are difficult for Claudius. His three benefactors, Athenodorus, Postumus, and Germanicus, all leave Rome. Postumus is banished to exile, Athenodorus returns to his distant home to quell political unrest (which he does but then dies of old age) and Germanicus is sent to the frontier where he leads Rome's military forces. Germanicus' victories and charisma win him enormous public support, and Tiberius is also sent to the frontier to lead troops.

Claudius performs a valuable public service at the request of Germanicus. He scours through the public and private libraries of Rome, compiling information on the tactics, culture, and strategies used by the Germans in previous campaigns. He edits and organizes this information and sends it on to Germanicus, who uses it quite successfully to anticipate German actions. Claudius then...