Chapter 5, Claudius Summary and Analysis

Claudius is the son of Drusus, and the grandson of Augustus. He is never expected to be a Caesar because everyone always says he is dumb, weak and ugly. His mother often calls him a monster and a man that "Nature had not finished." Livia his grandmother never addresses him personally and is always horrible to him. When someone predicts that he will be emperor one day, his sister prays that such a "cruel and underserved" punishment never occur to the Roman people. He spends most of his life in an obscure and idle suburban mansion in Campania after renouncing all hope of being a politician. He is a heavy drinker and loves to gamble. One thing is clear though, he never loses the respect of the people.

Claudius becomes emperor by accident. When he hears that Gaius has...