Chapter 26 Summary

The events of this chapter occur between 28 AD and 29 AD. Tiberius, faced with increasing scandal, retires to Capri where he pursues the life of a sadist and pervert in the open air. He leaves Sejanus in control of affairs at home. Tiberius and Livia have completely split and their mutual enmity grows. Sejanus arranges for Claudius to marry his daughter ZHlia. After the public marriage ceremonies, ZHlia summons Claudius and makes it perfectly clear that their marriage is entirely for political purposes—they will pursue nothing of a shared life (although they do have one child, a daughter, together). The information is a great relief to Claudius. Livia then falls ill, summons Claudius, and forces him to repeat his oath to her. She then literally dies in his arms.

Chapter 26 Analysis

The chapter details political developments in Rome; Livia sickens and dies...