Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor Page A
Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor
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the slave ship and I was very sick.”
Claudia raised her eyebrows. “I have never sailed on a ship. We will look upon it as an adventure, Hotep. Who knows what awaits us in Judea?”
“That is true, Domina. We move according to the hands of the gods and we do not have a say in what that will be.”
It was late morning the next day when her grandmother’s coach entered the grounds and Medina alighted first and then helped her mistress. Claudia hurried to meet them. With a shock, she saw how frail her grandmother had become. It must have cost her a great effort to make this last trip.
As she entered the villa, Scribonia leaned heavily on Medina’s arm. When she was settled in a comfortable chair, Alba brought them small cups of apple cider and bread.
Her grandmother turned to the matters at hand. “Lucius has finally sent for you. What have you packed?”
Claudia smiled to herself. Her grandmother was the consummate Roman matron, making sure that all went smoothly. With great effort, her grandmother climbed the stairs to Claudia’s room to inspect her progress.
She spent the next hour reviewing what Claudia had packed—clothes, jewelry, household goods, and a few linens. When she was satisfied that Claudia had chosen wisely, she dismissed Medina and Hotep to talk with Alba.
Now, alone with her grandmother, Claudia felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t know when we shall return to Rome. When shall I see you again?”
Scribonia, showing more emotion than Claudia had ever seen from this austere woman, embraced her and said softly, “I shall not see you again, granddaughter. I am old and my time to join our ancestors will be soon. I feel it in my bones. I pray you will remember our years together as good ones. I have loved you like no other child in our family, and you have endured much. You are strong and you will be a good helpmate for Lucius. It is good to have a husband who loves you. In public you may be aloof, but alone together, be the strength he needs. He cannot show weakness in his role as governor.” She sighed, and her hands dropped to her sides. “I don’t believe he was truly prepared.Even in his thirties, he is young for this responsibility. He will make mistakes, but he will do his best. Support him in every way you can.
“He is influenced by Sejanus in his attitude toward the Jews. You must temper this carefully. If he is high-handed, he will bring much grief on his office as governor. Tiberius is leaving for Capri within the month. I’m glad you will be far away, if only for what will happen when Sejanus has a totally free hand. I am grateful I will not live long enough to see the maelstrom he will create in my beloved Rome.”
The import of her grandmother’s words struck Claudia like a blow to her heart. Her grandmother would be lost to her and she shuddered to think what would be happening in the city.
Scribonia continued. “I have signed the papers and set Medina free. She knows this, but has chosen to remain with me in my last days. I do not know her plans for after I’m gone—perhaps she will contact you in some way. I do not know if she wishes to travel to Judea.”
“She is welcome to come here, Grandmother. From what I know of Marcus and this household, she would be welcome. I can send an allowance for her living expenses.”
“That is generous, Claudia. I will speak to her about that and let her know that is one path she can take. You must also speak with the steward of this household and be sure he is agreeable to such a plan.”
“I will do that.”
Medina and Hotep helped Scribonia down the stairs and into the coach. Claudia held back tears as she took leave of her grandmother for the last time. Marcus and Alba stood in the background watching the scene with somber faces.
With a heavy heart, Claudia watched the coach bearing her grandmother and her old nurse until it was out of sight. She would never see the last person left of her family again.
She
Claudia raised her eyebrows. “I have never sailed on a ship. We will look upon it as an adventure, Hotep. Who knows what awaits us in Judea?”
“That is true, Domina. We move according to the hands of the gods and we do not have a say in what that will be.”
It was late morning the next day when her grandmother’s coach entered the grounds and Medina alighted first and then helped her mistress. Claudia hurried to meet them. With a shock, she saw how frail her grandmother had become. It must have cost her a great effort to make this last trip.
As she entered the villa, Scribonia leaned heavily on Medina’s arm. When she was settled in a comfortable chair, Alba brought them small cups of apple cider and bread.
Her grandmother turned to the matters at hand. “Lucius has finally sent for you. What have you packed?”
Claudia smiled to herself. Her grandmother was the consummate Roman matron, making sure that all went smoothly. With great effort, her grandmother climbed the stairs to Claudia’s room to inspect her progress.
She spent the next hour reviewing what Claudia had packed—clothes, jewelry, household goods, and a few linens. When she was satisfied that Claudia had chosen wisely, she dismissed Medina and Hotep to talk with Alba.
Now, alone with her grandmother, Claudia felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t know when we shall return to Rome. When shall I see you again?”
Scribonia, showing more emotion than Claudia had ever seen from this austere woman, embraced her and said softly, “I shall not see you again, granddaughter. I am old and my time to join our ancestors will be soon. I feel it in my bones. I pray you will remember our years together as good ones. I have loved you like no other child in our family, and you have endured much. You are strong and you will be a good helpmate for Lucius. It is good to have a husband who loves you. In public you may be aloof, but alone together, be the strength he needs. He cannot show weakness in his role as governor.” She sighed, and her hands dropped to her sides. “I don’t believe he was truly prepared.Even in his thirties, he is young for this responsibility. He will make mistakes, but he will do his best. Support him in every way you can.
“He is influenced by Sejanus in his attitude toward the Jews. You must temper this carefully. If he is high-handed, he will bring much grief on his office as governor. Tiberius is leaving for Capri within the month. I’m glad you will be far away, if only for what will happen when Sejanus has a totally free hand. I am grateful I will not live long enough to see the maelstrom he will create in my beloved Rome.”
The import of her grandmother’s words struck Claudia like a blow to her heart. Her grandmother would be lost to her and she shuddered to think what would be happening in the city.
Scribonia continued. “I have signed the papers and set Medina free. She knows this, but has chosen to remain with me in my last days. I do not know her plans for after I’m gone—perhaps she will contact you in some way. I do not know if she wishes to travel to Judea.”
“She is welcome to come here, Grandmother. From what I know of Marcus and this household, she would be welcome. I can send an allowance for her living expenses.”
“That is generous, Claudia. I will speak to her about that and let her know that is one path she can take. You must also speak with the steward of this household and be sure he is agreeable to such a plan.”
“I will do that.”
Medina and Hotep helped Scribonia down the stairs and into the coach. Claudia held back tears as she took leave of her grandmother for the last time. Marcus and Alba stood in the background watching the scene with somber faces.
With a heavy heart, Claudia watched the coach bearing her grandmother and her old nurse until it was out of sight. She would never see the last person left of her family again.
She
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