Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (9 page)

 14 

C
laudia returned to her room anxious to share the news with Hotep. In the three years together, they had become close. They talked long hours into the night and Hotep shared all the news that was whispered by the staff of the palace. Claudia always marveled at the vast network among the slaves of Rome—little happened in any household that wasn’t soon known across the city.

“Your dinner with the emperor went well?”

“The prefect has picked out a husband for me,” she answered petulantly. “The emperor wished to let me know.” She waved a hand. “I don’t know what he looks like—tall, fat, bald, over forty?” She remembered some of the young brides at the baths talking about their husbands—men that had been chosen by their fathers to seal an agreement or combine two important families. The young women emphasized how well their fathers had chosen for them, but the reality was what they didn’t say. Claudia wondered what it had been like to share the wedding couch with a man the age of their fathers. The wife would be expected to produce children as soon as possible, especially a son, to carry on the family name. She shuddered. Was that to be her fate?

Hotep broke into her thoughts. “But Dominilla, that is good news. Do you not wish to be married? You are sixteen. Many of the young noblewomen are married by now.”

Claudia sank down in a chair. “I don’t know if it is good or bad.
The meal was gloomy, Hotep. The empress and Levilla hardly spoke a word to each other or to me. They ate and ran. I think Levilla is angry with the emperor for not allowing her to marry Sejanus.”

Hotep shook her head slowly. “I do not know why any woman would like to marry that man.”

“I agree. Levilla is an unhappy woman. Why would he divorce Apicata, who was so nice, to marry her, unless . . .”

Claudia sat thinking of the rumors she’d heard through the staff. It was whispered that Levilla was responsible for the death of her husband. Why would they think that had Tiberius known, it would be the end of Sejanus. If Drusus succeeded his father, Levilla would have been empress of Rome. Why would she do anything to change that? She was sure it had to do with Sejanus.

Claudia contemplated what she’d seen. Now that Apicata was no longer with them at the emperor’s dinners, Levilla looked longingly at Sejanus. Life in the palace was full of intrigue.

She sighed as Hotep helped her undress. “Sejanus has chosen a husband for me and the emperor said he would make a decision. No doubt he will go along with this man the prefect recommends. So this Lucius Pontius Pilate will be my husband.”

Hotep unwound the silver strands of Claudia’s hair and began to take down the curls, brushing her hair until it gleamed softly, cascading down her shoulders.

“You will be a beautiful bride, Dominilla. Your husband will be pleased with you.”

Claudia stifled a wave of resentment. But would
she
be pleased with her husband?

The two days passed more quickly than Claudia desired, and she longed to talk with her grandmother. That very afternoon, to her surprise and relief, a slave knocked on her door with a wax stylus containing a message from her grandmother, written in Latin:

Word has come that Sejanus returns to the city with a member of the amici Caesaris, friends of Caesar. His name is Lucius Pontius Pilate. Sejanus has chosen him for you. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. Take heart.

The seal from Scribonia’s ring was pressed into the wax.

When the summons came to join the emperor for dinner and meet a guest, Claudia dressed with care, but her mind turned with all the possibilities of the evening. Her tunic was a soft white. She wore a lavender scarf with gold threads woven throughout. A gold belt took up the length of her garment. She slipped her feet into gold jeweled sandals while Hotep swept her hair up in curls, held by two gold hairpins. A long curl fell to one shoulder.

She examined herself in the polished brass mirror. How different she looked from the child who had come so fearfully to the palace three years before. The face of a woman stared back at her.

As Hotep walked with her to the palace dining room, Claudia felt her anxiety settle like a heavy weight in her chest. She pondered her grandmother’s words, but still, nothing could change the outcome of this evening. Claudia walked as if to her execution.

As she entered the dining room, conversation stopped and all eyes were suddenly turned to settle on her. The empress looked pale and unwell. Levilla sat stonily on her dining chair across from Sejanus. Claudia slowly allowed her gaze to rest on the stranger reclining next to Sejanus. Expecting a middle-aged man with gray hair and a paunch, she was surprised. He looked to be in his late thirties and his angular face with deep blue eyes was indeed handsome.

The man’s body was long and muscular. With a start, she suddenly realized he was enjoying her perusal.

Sejanus indicated his friend. “My lady Claudia, may I present an
honored soldier of Rome, Lucius Pontius Pilate. Lucius, this is the emperor’s ward.”

“I am most happy to meet you, my lady.”

A small lightning bolt flashed in Claudia’s heart at the intensity of his gaze. “Have you been in Rome long?” she inquired, searching for topics to ease her discomfort as she sank gracefully onto her chair.

“Only one day, my lady. Had I known what pleasure would be afforded me at the table of my emperor, I would have come sooner.”

The dark eyes of Sejanus gleamed under his heavy brows. “Then you can see that I did not exaggerate, my friend.”

Lucius nodded to the prefect. “No indeed.” He turned his dark eyes once again on Claudia. “Word of your beauty has preceded you, my lady.”

Sejanus was talking to him about her beauty? She would never understand what went on in the prefect’s mind. She glanced at the emperor and could see that Tiberius was indeed pleased with his prefect’s choice.

Claudia scarcely paid attention to what she ate. She could only look across the table at Lucius. Warmth spread up from her feet and she felt sure her face was as red as the wine.

Finally, after signaling for their attention, Tiberius stood and spoke. “Since the death of Claudia’s mother, I followed the wishes of her grandfather, Caesar Augustus, and took upon myself the responsibility of raising her in the palace and in time arranging a marriage for her. I am pleased to accept the recommendation of my prefect, Sejanus, whom I have found to be a trustworthy counsel. Lucius Pontius Pilate has shown himself a warrior for the empire and has agreed to this marriage. I am giving my approval. The wedding will take place when the augurs have been consulted and a date favored by the gods chosen.”

It was a long speech for Tiberius. Claudia had not been asked for her consent to the marriage. Holding the right of paterfamilias over her, Tiberius had the right to choose her husband. She would
obediently follow his wishes, for no Roman woman of good family would think of doing otherwise.

When they all stood, Lucius spoke to the emperor, striking his heart with his fist in respect, then turned to Claudia. “I wonder if you would stroll with me in the garden. I believe we have much to say to each other.”

Tiberius indicated his consent with a wave of his hand, and the newly betrothed couple strolled through an archway and entered the garden.

Lucius walked with an easy grace and she felt a magnetism emanating from him. The gods had been kind to her and she was still in awe of her good fortune.

Lucius spoke first. “When I agreed to marry the ward of Tiberius at the instigation of Sejanus, I was only being obedient to my superior. He knew I’d mentioned seeking a wife. He spoke well of you and told me how beautiful you were, but I put his flattery down to his powers of persuasion.” He stopped and turned her to face him. “I was not prepared for your appearance. When you entered, it was as if the goddess Venus entered the room. When I realized that you were my intended, words failed me.”

She smiled. “You have perhaps found your words, my lord?”

“Indeed. But I wish to know more about you. Sejanus has told me only that you were brought to the palace when you were thirteen? Tell me about your life before that.”

She told him of her childhood, living with her mother and grandmother. Of learning to weave from her grandmother, cooking with Medina, and of Cato and the garden as the soft darkness settled about them.

“I hated to leave my mother in such a way, but I had no choice. Even though my grandmother told me Mater was dying, she should have had her family with her when the gods took her. Even now, I still think of my mother and that dark day and the sadness remains.” He was a friend of Sejanus, so she did not mention her dog.

His head was bent and he listened quietly, without comment. She found it comforting. As she spoke, an involuntary tear slipped down her cheek and his strong, warm hand covered hers.

She looked up at him and felt she could talk with him about anything. It was something she hadn’t known with anyone else, even her grandmother or Hotep.

His deep voice was soft. “I do not know how it is for you, but the moment you entered the room, I was captivated.”

Her heart quickened with a steady beat. “It is the same for me,” she whispered. “I didn’t realize how such feelings could come so suddenly. I am glad it was you that Sejanus chose for me.” Then she added quickly, “With the emperor’s consent, of course.”

They smiled at each other in the light of the torches placed around the garden, the silence only broken by the splashing of the nearby fountain.

Noticing that she was shivering involuntarily in the night air, he rose. “I must take you back inside. You are cold.”

He walked her to her quarters, and she looked up at him, studying his face as if to memorize it.

“I have business to take care of for the prefect, but I shall see you again when our betrothal is announced by the emperor.”

She opened the door, and as he turned and walked back down the corridor, she watched him with pride and something more. “Good night, my Lucius,” she whispered.

 15 

W
ord of the betrothal spread throughout the city, and Claudia appeared on the steps of the palace holding hands with Lucius, as was customary, making the union official. Tiberius appeared with them, signifying his approval of the match. Sejanus stood by his emperor, beaming benevolently like a proud father.

After searching for a date that would bode well for the couple, the wedding was set for the latter part of the month of Juno, named after the principal goddess of the Roman Pantheon and the goddess of marriage and well-being for women. It was the month Claudia was hoping for. It signified a good beginning for their marriage.

When Sejanus and the emperor left to discuss matters of state, Claudia returned to the garden with Lucius.

“Where is your home, Lucius?”

“I have a family villa in Ponti in the mountains of Samnium, a half day’s ride from the city. My mother died five years ago, so you will be free to direct the slaves. My staff has been instructed to obey your orders.”

“I will be happy anywhere you are, Lucius. Forgive me if I say, I will be especially happy to leave the palace.”

He studied her face a moment. “You have not been happy here?”

She considered her words. “The emperor has been good to me, but
more and more there is word of his leaving for Capri permanently. I will be more comfortable in a villa of my own.” She dared not say more, lest it get back to Sejanus.

“I may not be able to be with you a great deal, my Claudia. I believe Sejanus has an assignment for me, but he has not indicated what that shall be.”

Fear suddenly constricted her heart. “Can I not go with you, wherever you are assigned?”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Most Roman women prefer to remain in the city if their husbands are in the army and assigned to a distant outpost.”

“I don’t care. I want to go with you if it is at all possible. Please, Lucius.” She looked up at him, feeling the tears behind her eyes and hating the pleading sound of her voice. She could not tell him she wanted to be as far from Rome, the emperor, and Sejanus as she could get.

He reached up and brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “I too desire you with me. Let us discover my assignment and discuss it then.”

She nodded. Then another thought occurred to her. “I would like to bring my servant, Hotep. She has been mine since I came to the palace and I depend on her.” How could she say they had become friends and she feared for the girl if left behind?

“If that is your wish, she may come with you. Who shall be your bridesmaid?”

She shook her head slowly. “I have no one here in the palace.”

He rubbed his chin with one hand and his brows were knit together in thought. “The prefect has a young daughter, Junilla, who is eight or nine years old, I believe. Perhaps she could attend you. I believe that would also please the prefect.”

Claudia had met Junilla once and found her to be a sweet girl, taking much after her mother.

“If the prefect allows her, I would not mind Junilla.” She would
have liked Hotep, but it was not proper for a slave to be part of a wedding ceremony.

She and Lucius agreed that her clothing and personal property would be sent with Hotep to the Villa Ponti the morning of their wedding.

He ran a finger down her cheek and his eyes left no doubt of his feelings. “With great anticipation I look forward to our wedding.”

She felt the warmth rise in her body and spread to her face. “I also look forward to our wedding, Lucius.” Her eyes met his unflinchingly.

He took her hand and held it a long moment and then reluctantly took his leave of her.

She thought the month of Juno would never arrive. Since she had no home to be married in, Tiberius chose the temple of Jupiter. The high priest there would officiate.

To her delight, her grandmother sent word that she would dress Claudia on her wedding day—usually a mother’s task.

Before her grandmother arrived, Claudia ate what little breakfast she could manage. Anticipation and excitement had dimmed her appetite. She looked down at the engagement ring on her left hand that Lucius had given her—a single jewel that caught the light and sparkled. He’d given her the ring and then held her a long moment, and she felt his heart beating against hers. With great restraint he had put her from him and once again, touching her cheek, bid her goodbye until the wedding.

There was a knock on the door and her grandmother entered, followed by a very shy Junilla. Sejanus had been pleased at the request for his daughter as a bridesmaid and made sure she was brought to the palace at once.

Junilla stared at Claudia. “You look so pretty.” She perched on a chair to watch the proceedings, her eyes alight with anticipation.

Hotep had anointed Claudia’s body with oil and perfume and
slipped the undergarment of soft, sheer cotton over her head before Junilla and Scribonia arrived.

A stola of soft, sheer white wool came next. Scribonia stepped forward and, with a golden belt, tied the “knot of Hercules” in it—the knot only to be untied by Claudia’s husband at their wedding couch. Finally a flame-colored veil was settled over her head. Then her feet were slipped into her gold sandals.

Hotep divided Claudia’s hair into six locks as was traditional. The locks were coiled and held in position on top of her head with ribbons. A wreath of flowers was placed on top of the veil.

Claudia rose and went to fetch her small box of treasures, which she offered to the statue of Venus in her room, signifying leaving her childhood behind. Her grandmother’s eyes widened as Claudia pulled out the ring her mother had given her and had Hotep clasp the chain around her neck. The ring remained unseen inside her stola, and as she faced her grandmother, her chin up in a moment of defiance, Scribonia raised her eyebrows in question.

“Should it not accompany me on my wedding day?”

Her grandmother sighed heavily but said nothing.

The emperor sent two bouquets of white roses and chrysanthemums, a larger one for Claudia and a smaller bouquet for Junilla. She was touched that he would do such a thing—perhaps a suggestion from Livia?

She said a quick goodbye to Hotep, who hurried to a coach that would take her to the Villa Ponti with Claudia’s personal things and her loom. The entourage left Claudia’s quarters and walked to the entrance of the palace where a carpentum waited to take Claudia, Junilla, and Scribonia to the Temple of Jupiter for the wedding. The manes of the two large horses had been decorated with flowers, and they stomped their feet and snorted as if anxious to be off.

Lucius met them on the steps of the temple in his dress uniform. He too had a garland around his head. Next to him was the emperor, dressed in a white toga with a larger royal purple stripe on the side.
Sejanus, in his full uniform, nodded to his daughter in response to her shy smile. Lucius helped Claudia out of the carriage and took her hand firmly, leading her into the temple, followed by the ten selected men, who, along with Sejanus and the emperor, made up the twelve required witnesses.

As Claudia and Lucius finally stood before the priest, holding hands, she chanted first, “
Quando tu Gaius, ego Gaia
” (When-and-where-you-are Gaius, I then-and-there-am Gaia). Lucius in turn chanted, “
Quando tu Gaia, ego Gaius
” (When-and-where-you-are Gaia, I then-and-there-am Gaius). Then the bride and groom were seated on stools facing the altar. The priest chanted other words of the ceremony and an offering of cake was made to Jupiter. Then the cake was carefully eaten by the bride and groom.

When the ceremony ended and Claudia was pronounced the wife of Lucius Pontius Pilate, they turned to receive the congratulations of the guests. Sejanus and Tiberius had invited the senators and those of the praetorian rank who were in favor at the time, along with their wives.

The banquet was lavish—bowls of pears, quinces, and plums were placed in the center of the banquet table, along with other bowls of almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and walnuts. The servants brought in steaming dishes of carrots, asparagus, peas, and cabbage seasoned with garlic. Roasted chicken as well as stuffed pigeons and partridges were served. Platters of various cheeses were offered to the guests along with small loaves of white bread. The olive relish Claudia loved was also in abundance.

Claudia could hardly contain her joy as she and Lucius exchanged glances throughout the banquet. She looked at Sejanus once and was startled to see him watching her. His expression was almost smug.

When it came time to leave the palace for her new home, Claudia and Lucius bid their guests farewell. She turned to Junilla and thanked her for being her bridesmaid. “In a few years you will also be a bride.”

Junilla beamed at this and Claudia could see in her the beauty that she would be one day. Scribonia, acting the part of the mother, clasped
her hands around Claudia as if to prevent her from leaving. Lucius, following tradition, good-naturedly pulled his bride away. Claudia turned to her grandmother and Scribonia returned the embrace, tears in her eyes as she whispered in her granddaughter’s ear, “Be happy, child. May this be the beginning of a better life for you.”

Just as Claudia and Lucius approached their coach, Lucius was stopped by Tiberius and called aside. The emperor drew an official document from inside his tunic.

“I have a wedding present for you.”

Claudia stood silently, wondering what this could be. The emperor had said nothing of a gift and she had wondered what he would do. She lowered her eyes so as not to appear to be listening, but what she heard caused her to look up suddenly in amazement.

“You are to report to Caesarea as soon as possible to serve as governor of Judea, to assume the office vacated by the previous governor, Valerius Gratus. He has been recalled to Rome.”

Claudia stared in amazement. This was an enormous responsibility. Governor of Judea? Claudia’s mind raced considering all the implications. How soon would they have to leave for Caesarea?

The face of the emperor was stern. “A ship is waiting to take you to your province. Your bride will join you later in Caesarea.”

“My lord, I am grateful for your confidence in me. This is a great honor.” He glanced back at Claudia, waiting by the coach in her wedding finery. “I am to leave—now?”

“You have one hour. The ship leaves with the evening tide.”

As Lucius turned away from the emperor and Sejanus, facing Claudia, she alone saw the flash of anger in his eyes. She glanced up at Sejanus who stood with his arms folded across his great chest. His eyes glittered with pleasure, but the smile was cold and calculating. He gave a slight tilt of his head and then she understood. This was his doing.

Lucius turned back and bowed to the emperor. “Your will is my command, Majesty, however it is over three hours just to my villa. I would need to gather certain things.”

Sejanus stepped forward, dismissing his concern with a wave of his hand. “They have already been sent for. They shall be on the ship when you arrive.”

Lucius saluted in obedience to his prefect. “I shall be ready in one hour.”

As the guests whispered among themselves at the turn of events, Lucius took Claudia by the hand and led her back into the palace to the garden where they had some privacy.