212 I mentioned above that Claudius’ route had diverged from that of Gaius. When the house was in uproar at the shock of a Caesar's death, Claudius squeezed into a narrow alley and hid there, not knowing what to do to save himself.

The only source of danger he suspected was his noble birth;

213 for he was a private citizen of modest demeanour, satisfied with what he had, devoted to scholarship (especially in Greek), who

214 distanced himself entirely from anything to do with trouble. But the crowd was now in the grip of panic, and the whole residence was full of soldiers on the rampage and civilians as cowardly and undisciplined as mercenary bodyguards. The cream of the Roman army are the soldiers called the Praetorians. They were holding a council of war about what should be done. Those present were not concerned about avenging Gaius—

215 he had deserved his fate—but were carefully considering how best their own interests might be served. (Even the Germans, who were engaged on vengeance against the assassins, did so not for the public good but to indulge their own savagery.)

216 Bewildered by all this, Claudius was afraid for his life—especially as he had seen the heads of Asprenas and the others being carried past. He stood back in the darkness in a place accessible by a few

217 steps. But he was seen by one of the palace guard.

The soldier, whose name was Gratus, was able to make out that there was a person hiding, but because of the darkness could not recognise his face. He came closer. When Claudius tried to retreat, he caught hold of him, overpowered him, and then recognised who he was.

‘Here's a Germanicus!’ he called to the soldiers behind; ‘let's carry him off and set him up as emperor!’

218 Seeing they were all set to kidnap him, Claudius was terrified that he was going to die for the murder of Gaius. He begged them to spare him, pleading his inoffensive character; he had had no prior knowledge of what had been done.

219 Gratus grinned, and seized him by the hand.