ustus and Tiberius felt but little interest in the political affairs of
that distant island, but the rapid progress of civilization in Gaul, and
the growing cities on the banks of the Rhine, elicited a spirit of
friendly intercourse. Londinium, a city which escaped the notice of Caesar,
was a great emporium of trade in the time of Claudius. But the southern
chieftains were hostile, and jealous of their independence. So Claudius
sent four legions to Britain, under Plautius, and his lieutenant,
Vespasianus, to oppose the forces under Caractacus. He even entered
Britain in person, and subdued the Trinobantes. But for nine years
Caractacus maintained an independent position. He was finally overthrown
in battle, and betrayed to the Romans, and exhibited at Rome. The
insurrection was suppressed, or rather, a foothold was secured in the
island, which continued henceforth under the Roman rule.

(M1072) The feeble old man, always nursed by women, had the misfortune to
marry, for his third wife, the most infamous woman in Roman annals
(Valeria Messalina), under whose influence the reign, at first beneficent,
became disgraceful. Claudius was entirely ruled by her. She amassed
fortunes, sold offices, confiscated estates, and indulged in guilty loves.
She ruled like a Madame de Pompadour, and degraded the throne which she
ought to have exalted. The influence of women generally was bad in those
corrupt times, but her influence was scandalous and degrading.

Claudius also was governed by his favorites, generally men of low
birth--freedmen who usurped the place of statesmen. Narcissus and Pallus
were the most confidential of the emperor's advisers, who, in consequence,
became enormously rich, for favors flowed through them, and received the
great offices of State. The court became a scene of cabals and crimes,
disgraced by the wanton shamelessness of the empress and the venality of
courtiers. Appius Silanus, one of the best and greatest of the nobles, was
murdered through the intrigues of Messalina, to whose progress in
wickedness history furnishes no parallel, and Valerius Asiaticus, another
great noble, also suffered the penalty of offending her, and was
destroyed; and his magnificent gardens, which she coveted, were bestowed
upon her.

(M1073) But Messalina was rivaled in iniquity by another princess, between
whom and herself there existed the deadliest animosity. Thus was
Agrippina, the daughter of Germanicus, who had been married