Chapter 28 Summary

The principle events of this chapter occur between 36 AD and 37 AD, though reference is made to a five-year period. The last five years of Tiberius' reign are full of unspeakable cruelty and constant sexual debauch. Agrippina and Drusus are slowly starved to death in their banishment, and Nero is starved to death in prison. Caligula rises to immense public support and Tiberius names him as his heir. The public mistakenly believes that Caligula will embody the traits of Germanicus, his father. Thrasyllus, the seer, pronounces numerous prophecies and then dies—his prophecies will be borne out to be completely accurate.

Tiberius then sickens and appears to be about to die. Caligula has meanwhile enlisted a brutal and amoral soldier named Macro to act as strongman. Caligula and Macro become excited at the prospect of Tiberius' imminent death, but are angered when Tiberius...