Chapter 22 Summary

The principle events in this chapter occur between 23 AD and 25 AD. Tiberius has few personal friends, but those few enjoy broad powers and ever-more impressive positions within the empire. The single friend of greatest persuasion is Sejanus, and Tiberius places him virtually second-in-command in the empire, substituting Livia's waning influence with Sejanus' waxing influence. Claudius catalogues Germanicus and Agrippina's surviving children—Nero (not the future emperor), Drusus, Drusilla, Caligula, Agrippinilla, and Lesbia. Agrippina is constantly followed and subtly harassed by State police. Meanwhile, Livia develops a bizarre but firm attachment to Caligula, and spends a huge amount of time with her great-grandson.

Meanwhile, the public sentiment focuses on the perceived power struggle between Castor and Sejanus; both men are now seen as potential heirs to Tiberius, and Tiberius does not decisively clarify the situation. The contention eventually is resolved when Castor is...