Read Online Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor - Free Book Online
Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor
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father, but since it appeared that all of her mother’s suitors were dead, the question of who he was would remain forever unanswered. She sat looking at the silver ring, turning it this way and that in the light as the emerald stones sparkled. Finally, she put it back in the chest. It was as close as she would ever be to the shadowy figure in her mind of the man who was her father.
13
A t the end of Claudia’s fifteenth year, word came that Tiberius and Sejanus were once again away from the palace on imperial business. Tiberius seldom went anywhere without Sejanus at his side. He spent less and less time in Rome. Everywhere, next to the statues of Tiberius, were statues of Sejanus. Some even prayed to Sejanus and celebrated his birthday. His favor was courted by senators and those of the praetorian rank.
Sejanus made the most of his place of favor, making changes. The Praetorian Guard, once just a small bodyguard for the emperor, was being built into a formidable force, and if the emperor was aware, he did not reveal it. Sejanus wanted the Praetorian Guard to be a powerful and influential branch of the government. Servants who listened quietly in the background at meals with Sejanus said he spoke to the emperor of having the guard oversee public security, civil administration, and even handle political intercession. The health of the emperor was not good and he agreed to any suggestion within reason from his prefect.
Claudia knew that since Sejanus was the second most powerful man in the entire empire, he would also influence the emperor in regard to her marriage. There was no doubt that whatever her future held, the choice would rest, not in the hands of the emperor, but in the man she hated more than the emperor.
Most young Roman women of high standing were married by the time they were fifteen, and Claudia grew restless. On one hand she longed to be out of the palace with a home of her own, but on the other hand, she dreaded being told she was going to marry someone years older than herself for political reasons. She thought of her mother’s marriages and how she was used as a political pawn by Augustus. Would she end up like her mother? Claudia made offerings to Venus, praying with all her might for a good husband who would at least be kind to her.
Her grandmother brought Medina to visit as often as possible. Sometimes Claudia and Hotep met them in the marketplace. The mute slave, Horatio, silently watched, his dark eyes taking in everything around them.
With the freedom of a small allowance, Claudia could now shop for things that brought her pleasure. Sometimes she bought sweet rolls from the street of the bakers, sometimes a new pair of sandals.
Claudia now met the empress at the baths instead of accompanying her. Livia was in ill health and many days could not leave her quarters. Claudia didn’t mind the absence of the empress, for when her grandmother and Medina came to the baths, the atmosphere was not strained.
Tiberius, already known to be moody, was becoming more withdrawn and had been threatening more often to leave Rome for his palace on Capri.
The standing of Sejanus with the emperor was solidified, for Tiberius had no successor. He had little contact with his nephews. His two sons were dead and here was Sejanus, a man he saw every day, supremely efficient, trustworthy, and an able administrator.
Claudia prayed to the gods for the health of Tiberius, for thethought of Sejanus succeeding him filled her with dread. The prefect had not bothered Hotep again, but what would happen if the protection of the emperor’s presence was withdrawn? The times when Claudia joined the emperor for an evening meal, Sejanus watched her from under those bushy brows. To her shock and surprise, he divorced the gentle Apicata and was petitioning the emperor to marry Levilla. Claudia felt badly for Apicata and the children, but there was nothing she could do.
The palace gossip held that Sejanus and Levilla were
13
A t the end of Claudia’s fifteenth year, word came that Tiberius and Sejanus were once again away from the palace on imperial business. Tiberius seldom went anywhere without Sejanus at his side. He spent less and less time in Rome. Everywhere, next to the statues of Tiberius, were statues of Sejanus. Some even prayed to Sejanus and celebrated his birthday. His favor was courted by senators and those of the praetorian rank.
Sejanus made the most of his place of favor, making changes. The Praetorian Guard, once just a small bodyguard for the emperor, was being built into a formidable force, and if the emperor was aware, he did not reveal it. Sejanus wanted the Praetorian Guard to be a powerful and influential branch of the government. Servants who listened quietly in the background at meals with Sejanus said he spoke to the emperor of having the guard oversee public security, civil administration, and even handle political intercession. The health of the emperor was not good and he agreed to any suggestion within reason from his prefect.
Claudia knew that since Sejanus was the second most powerful man in the entire empire, he would also influence the emperor in regard to her marriage. There was no doubt that whatever her future held, the choice would rest, not in the hands of the emperor, but in the man she hated more than the emperor.
Most young Roman women of high standing were married by the time they were fifteen, and Claudia grew restless. On one hand she longed to be out of the palace with a home of her own, but on the other hand, she dreaded being told she was going to marry someone years older than herself for political reasons. She thought of her mother’s marriages and how she was used as a political pawn by Augustus. Would she end up like her mother? Claudia made offerings to Venus, praying with all her might for a good husband who would at least be kind to her.
Her grandmother brought Medina to visit as often as possible. Sometimes Claudia and Hotep met them in the marketplace. The mute slave, Horatio, silently watched, his dark eyes taking in everything around them.
With the freedom of a small allowance, Claudia could now shop for things that brought her pleasure. Sometimes she bought sweet rolls from the street of the bakers, sometimes a new pair of sandals.
Claudia now met the empress at the baths instead of accompanying her. Livia was in ill health and many days could not leave her quarters. Claudia didn’t mind the absence of the empress, for when her grandmother and Medina came to the baths, the atmosphere was not strained.
Tiberius, already known to be moody, was becoming more withdrawn and had been threatening more often to leave Rome for his palace on Capri.
The standing of Sejanus with the emperor was solidified, for Tiberius had no successor. He had little contact with his nephews. His two sons were dead and here was Sejanus, a man he saw every day, supremely efficient, trustworthy, and an able administrator.
Claudia prayed to the gods for the health of Tiberius, for thethought of Sejanus succeeding him filled her with dread. The prefect had not bothered Hotep again, but what would happen if the protection of the emperor’s presence was withdrawn? The times when Claudia joined the emperor for an evening meal, Sejanus watched her from under those bushy brows. To her shock and surprise, he divorced the gentle Apicata and was petitioning the emperor to marry Levilla. Claudia felt badly for Apicata and the children, but there was nothing she could do.
The palace gossip held that Sejanus and Levilla were
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