I, Claudius Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 31 Summary

Chapter 31 Summary

The principle events of this chapter are undated but may be inferred to occur between 38 AD and 41 AD. Caligula, newly poor, embarks on a bewildering array of large and small scams to extract wealth from the Empire. He continues to torture and murder innocents and enemies alike, and behaves in an altogether insane manner. On one notable occasion, he raises cash by inviting senators to his personal home that he has converted into a brothel; he charges enormous sums and prostitutes his own sisters. Meanwhile, Claudius' fortunes depend entirely upon the crazy Caligula's mood, and he narrowly escapes death on several occasions.

Chapter 31 Analysis

This chapter continues the theme of chapter 30; Caligula's excesses continue and several outrageous stories are related. Caligula's reign by this point is that of endlessly extorting monies from any available source with the goal of allowing his unrestrained debauches to continue. Claudius continues as an...
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