I, Claudius/Awesome

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


  • The epic backstabbage of Sejanus by Macro (watch here, in all its deliciousness).
  • Four little words from Livia:
  • This speech:

Claudius: Senators, it is true I'm hard of hearing, but you will find it's not for want of listening. As for speaking, again it's true I have an impediment. But isn't what a man has to say more important than how long he takes to say it? It's true again I have little experience of government, but then have you more? I at least have lived with the imperial family who have ruled this empire, ever since you so spinelessly handed it over to us! I have observed it working more closely than any of you. Is your experience better than that? As for being half-witted, well, what can I say? Except that I have survived to middle age with half my wits while thousands have died with all of theirs intact! Evidently quality of wits is more important than quantity!

  • Don't forget Livia trying to browbeat Tiberius into releasing Germanicus' killers and Tiberius finally sticking it to her, threatening to have her declared mentally incompetent. Despite all of the terrible things Tiberius has done, one almost feels like cheering for him.
  • The execution of Messalina. Though Claudius' reaction to the news is severe Mood Whiplash.