Unfortunately, many others who have no such ambitions also lose their lives in the endless struggle for power.

Ambition Is Evil: Many, many characters aim for the imperial throne, and end up getting killed.

Claudius suspects Caligula has a male lover, his cousin, known as Ganymede, but never confirms it.

She takes as a lover a male slave named Boter, who is said to look very much like Numantina.

Urgulanilla, Claudius' first wife, appears to have been infatuated with her sister-in-law Numantina, and is greatly upset when her brother divorces her.

As he states at the beginning of Claudius the God, he is worried that he might be 'branded by posterity as a clever opportunist who pretended to be a fool, lying low and biding his time until he got wind of a Palace intrigue against his Emperor, and then came boldly forward as a candidate for the succession' among other reasons, he wrote the history of his life to assure the readers that this was not the case.

Alternative Character Interpretation: Defied in-universe by Claudius himself.

He's so popular with the troops that Tiberius starts to worry he might pose a threat to his rule. When some Roman legions start to mutiny, Germanicus takes care of the situation by talking to them and winning them over.

His nephew and heir Germanicus is much more friendly and approachable. When he does become Emperor, he spends much of his time at the pleasure island of Capri as opposed to ruling in Rome.

Aloof Leader, Affable Subordinate: Tiberius is cold and bitter due to his mother's machinations to make him Emperor.

All Jews Are Ashkenazi: Averted, since the story takes place some decades before the First Jewish–Roman War and the Diaspora.

They have a polite and friendly conversation during which she confesses all of her crimes, knowing full well Claudius can't and won't seek vengeance.

Affably Evil: Livia acts like this towards Claudius when she invites him to have dinner.

This is due to the fact that Roman noble women were married at a very young age.

Absurdly Youthful Mother: Livia, Julia, Agrippina and several other women from the imperial family.

Livia is very abusive towards her stepdaughter Julia.Even when she decides to kill herself and says goodbye to Claudius, she still doesn't have a kind word for him. Claudius' mother Antonia was disgusted by him because of his disabilities, and always considered him to be an idiot.Also Caligula during the first few months of his reign. 100% Adoration Rating: Germanicus is a very popular general and politician.

0% Approval Rating: Claudius, despite being a benign ruler, becomes unpopular during a food shortage in Rome.

I claudius graves