Chapter 23 Summary

The events of this chapter are undated, but can be inferred to occur around 25 AD. On one event, Claudius is informed that Caligula, age 12, has commenced incestuous sexual activities with his three sisters. On another event, Sejanus informs Claudius that he will shortly be divorced from Urgulanilla on the charge of adultery. Claudius presumably will then be married to Sejanus' daughter; this will secure for Sejanus a tenuous but valid connection to the imperial family. Claudius takes the suggestion in stride, realizing that his opinion is entirely superfluous to the ultimate decision.

The remainder of the chapter deals with a certain night in which Claudius spends at his brother-in-law Plautius' home. Claudius arrives and learns that Plautius has recently divorced his wife of many years and remarried for political and economic gain. Plautius' divorced wife was particularly beloved by Urgulanilla. Claudius retires to...