Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate

by Taylor, Diana Wallis

  “The rain is a comforting sound, don’t you think?” she asked as she lay with her arm across his chest and her head on his shoulder.

  “Yes, a comforting sound.” He was silent and then, “I have been blessed with such a wife. You have courage and strength. Something I seem to have lost along the way. I who strove for prestige, a leader of troops and governor of a Roman province, now reduced to the status of a farmer. I was ambitious, but where has it gotten me? A life in exile, far from the country I served. It is a bleak ending to my career.”

  The fear rose again, filling her being so she could hardly breathe. She forced it down. “But you did all those things. More than some men do in a lifetime. We have a good home here, Lucius, and Doros is doing well in his school. He is intelligent and one day will make us both proud.”

  “What if my cousin wishes to return? Where would we go? And what advancement will Doros know? He attends school with the sons of senators and magistrates. He will never wear the toga of the praetorian class and be recognized as a citizen of Rome. Not here in Vienne. He must be able to return to Italy and your family if he has any hope of a life.”

  “We cannot do that, Lucius, at least not now. If another emperor takes the throne, we may be able to petition to return. Perhaps even have your lands restored.”

  “And when will that be? Caligula reigns supreme, the idol of the people. It could be years, and then it will be too late.”

  She put a hand on his cheek and kissed him. “We are together, my Lucius, and that is all that matters to me.” As she moved her hand, it was wet. Was he weeping? She put her arm back across his chest and held him until they both fell asleep.

  Perhaps it was the silence of the end of the rain that woke her. She rolled over to Lucius, but his side of the bed was empty. He often rose early and walked in the fields, but something nagged at her mind and she went to put on her warm linen robe. She went downstairs and looked around. Lucius was not in the house, so she sat down in a chair by the fire and began to pray. She beseeched the Lord to heal her husband of this frightful mood, to help him understand the forgiveness that Jesus could extend to him. She was lost in prayer and startled when the door burst open suddenly. It wasn’t her husband, it was Vitus, and with tears running down his cheeks, he held the lifeless body of Lucius in his arms.

  52

  Lucius! No!” She ran across the room as Vitus gently laid Lucius on a couch. Her husband’s face was pale in death, and she knelt, weeping, to cradle his head in her arms.

  “I found him at the edge of the field, my lady. There doesn’t seem to be a wound anywhere.”

  “Then how did he die?”

  “He has carried great sorrow for a long time, my lady. Either he took poison, or his heart just could not bear the burden any longer.”

  She looked up through her tears. “Lucius would not leave us like that. He would not take poison.”

  “If he thought you could return to Rome?”

  “But I thought—I hoped—we could be happy here. It was not the Villa Ponti, but we could have had a decent life. Why would he do this to me?”

  Vitus put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “A man must work, Domina. His self-worth demands it. He had everything taken away from him.”

  She rocked back and forth, wrapping her arms around herself. “I needed him. I needed him,” she moaned over and over.

  Suddenly there was a sound on the stairs and Claudia looked up into the face of her son. His eyes were wide with fright as he stared at the body of his father.

  Claudia sat observing the small urn that held the ashes of her husband. Doros had endeavored to be strong for her, but he was only a boy. She had withdrawn him from the school, since she needed to reserve any funds from the sale of her jewelry to return to Rome.

  Picking up the scroll that had finally come in response to her query, she read that her grandmother’s son-in-law, Paulinus Aemilius Lepidus, learning of her need, had agreed to take them into her grandmother’s villa.

  Vitus and Hotep packed only what was necessary, for they had only one wagon now. It was late summer. At least they would not have to travel in bad weather.

  “It is time, my lady.” Vitus stood in the doorway.

  Hotep came down the stairs with the last small trunk of personal things and handed it to Vitus.

  Claudia went out to the wagon and carefully placed Lucius’s urn in the small trunk. Doros sat silently in the wagon—he had not smiled since his father’s death, and spoke little. When the women were aboard, Vitus clicked his tongue at the mules.

  Claudia brought the money she’d saved from selling pieces of her jewelry, carrying it in a pouch under her clothing, and prayed for the Lord to watch over their long journey back to Rome.

  When at last the city came in sight, Claudia was fearful of what awaited her there. Would the emperor order her to leave? The sentence had been against Lucius, but there were rumors of strange behavior on the part of the emperor after he recovered from a nearly fatal illness. He was not the benevolent young man the people had hailed less than a year before.

  When Vitus finally pulled into the courtyard of her grandmother’s villa, Claudia looked up at the huge two-story building and wondered who would come out to greet them.

  A servant appeared and eyed their clothing. “The servant’s entrance is around the back,” he said finally.

  Vitus helped Claudia down and she drew herself up before the servant. “I am Claudia Procula, granddaughter of the Lady Scribonia.”

  The servant, realizing his error, bid her wait and hurried into the villa.

  In moments a tall, heavyset man wearing the purple-striped toga of the praetorian rank, came out to meet her.

  “Welcome, Lady Claudia. I am Paulinus Aemilius Lepidus, husband of your aunt Cornelia. Come in.” He glanced back at the wagon and noted her simple dress. “This is all you have?”

  “It is, my lord. We left Rome with little after the emperor’s edict and now that my husband is dead, I return with little. This was the only transportation available to us, and my husband’s servant has watched over us and brought us safely here. I am in debt to you for your gracious hospitality in our circumstances.”

  Doros climbed down from the wagon and came to stand beside his mother.

  “This is our son, Doros. He has been a great help to me in our distress.”

  The man’s face softened. “These are dark days, Lady Claudia. Many are in your circumstances. You and your son are family and welcome to whatever we can do for you.”

  “I shall look forward to meeting Cornelia.”

  He sighed. “Unfortunately, she died two years ago.”

  She put a gentle hand on his arm. “I am so sorry to hear that.”

  “It is as the gods will.”

  Her personal things were taken to her grandmother’s old quarters. Doros was led to a smaller room near Claudia’s to refresh himself.

  Now she stood on the steps of the villa facing Vitus. “You are leaving us?”

  “I promised your husband that I would look after you if something happened to him. You will be safe here, my lady.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “I wish to seek out my own relatives if any of them are still alive.”

  “Then you have my blessing on your quest, Vitus, and thank you for all you’ve done.”

  She gave him the wagon and mules and watched him drive away with mixed emotions. Now it was only she and Doros, and Hotep. As she climbed the stairs, she contemplated what to do with Hotep—her maidservant, yes, but a loyal friend. Vitus, a freedman, had stayed out of loyalty. Hotep had no choice. Feeling suddenly bereft, Claudia made her way to her quarters, once again in a home that was not her own.

  She sat at dinner with her host, refreshed and dressed as a Roman matron again. She turned to him. “Tell me, Paulinus, what is the latest news of Rome? I have been away so long.”

  He glanced around. “Many things are happening, Lady Claudia. We revere our emperor, yet the
re are strange changes. We walk carefully these days.”

  His words were guarded and Claudia caught the warning in his tone.

  “Will my presence here cause difficulties for you?”

  “I don’t believe so. Friends in the palace keep me informed. However, what I hear causes me to be wary.”

  She found herself wondering how long she would be able to impose on his friendship and hospitality.

  53

  To her relief, two years passed without incident. She was grateful for the kindness of her host. He seemed to enjoy having a woman in the villa again, adding her touch with flowers and conversation at dinner. Paulinus provided a small allowance for her needs and for Doros’s school.

  Hotep found a small group of believers who met in a home, and the two women and Doros slipped out when they could to join them and share their love of the Lord. Doros was able to tell them about his crippled foot, and how Jesus had healed him. Claudia enjoyed the hymns they sang from the Psalms of David and felt her faith growing day by day. The sorrow that had made her heart feel like stone began to lift and she praised her God for his mercy.

  One morning as Claudia walked in the garden, her thoughts were broken by someone calling her name. She turned to see Paulinus, hurrying across the garden, his face pale.

  “I have dire news. The emperor is dead, slain by one of his own guards. His uncle, Claudius, was found and declared emperor by the Praetorian Guard who dared the senate to oppose them!” He shook his head. “What will Rome be subjected to now?”

  Caligula was dead! Hope rose in her heart. Did she dare petition the new emperor to restore her husband’s estate to her? Would he consider the fact that Doros was the great-grandson of an emperor and be lenient?

  Paulinus went on, “Of course Caligula was totally mad, his debaucheries a disgrace to the throne, but Claudius?” He sank down on a stone bench and put his face in his hands.

  After a battle between the armies loyal to the senate and the several thousand armed men of the Praetorian Guard, the senate surrendered. All of Rome watched with apprehension as Claudius was crowned emperor. The new emperor’s reputation was that of an idiot, shunned by family and kept in seclusion due to the fact that he limped, stuttered, and at times drooled.

  In spite of the rumors, as the months progressed, the populace of Rome found Claudius to be an able ruler. Seeking to cement his ties to the military that had placed him on the throne, Claudius planned a major military expedition into Britain. Because of his preoccupation with this campaign, he appeared oblivious to the actions of his second wife, Valeria Messalina.

  An astute player of politics, Valeria used her physical charms as a weapon, destroying lovers when she had no more use for them. Jealous for her son, Britannicus, now the heir apparent, she sought to eliminate any contenders for the throne. As rumors spread, Claudia realized it was only a matter of time until Valeria learned of Doros, the great-grandson of Caesar Augustus. Would Valeria consider her son a threat? Must they flee again? Where would they go?

  Paulinus had introduced her to several eligible men of position and was speaking generously of a particular senator when Claudia interrupted him. She knew she must stop hiding her faith from her cousin, even if he would withdraw his protection.

  “Forgive me, dear cousin, I must speak. I am forever indebted to you for your shelter these past two years. But I cannot marry a man devoted to the gods of Rome. When my son’s deformed foot was healed by him, I became not only a Godfearer but a follower of the Jewish healer, Jesus.”

  “You have not spoken of this before. Jesus is dead, by order of your husband. How can one follow a dead prophet? I see no reason to rebuff a suitor over another god.”

  “The man I marry must believe as I do, Paulinus.”

  His eyes flashed with anger. “You repudiate the gods of Rome? Trouble is brewing and you shall bring it down on my house!”

  She bowed her head. “I do not wish to put you in any danger. You have shown us kindness in every way.”

  At her submissive manner, Paulinus calmed down. He waved a hand impatiently. “I suppose you will believe as you must, but these are difficult times. If your son comes to the attention of Valeria, we are all in danger.”

  “I must leave as soon as possible. I only wait for word from friends.” She leaned forward, her eyes beseeching him. “I cannot take Hotep. I will give her a document of freedom. Would you allow her to remain here? I don’t want to endanger her life as well.”

  He considered the request a moment. “I will help her. I am sorry you must leave, but it is the safest way for us all.”

  She rose and, thanking him again for his kindness, bid him good night. She hurried to her quarters to see if Hotep had returned and was relieved to find her handmaid waiting.

  “Domina, I have news. You and Doros are to be taken to the catacombs where you will be safe. The Roman soldiers believe dead spirits are present there and will not enter. You must go tonight. Someone will meet you and your son outside the back gate when the moon is high.” She pointed to a large cloth bag. “I have packed for you both, only what you can carry.”

  Relief flooded Claudia. “Oh Hotep, thank you. Paulinus has agreed to allow you to remain here. I am setting you free, so the future will be your choice. You have been a faithful friend and I will miss you.” She handed Hotep her document of freedom.

  Hotep embraced her mistress and they clung to each other for a long moment, tears running down their cheeks.

  Finally Hotep stepped back. “I was so afraid. I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Goodbye, dear friend. Your service over the years has blessed me. I wish you well.”

  “May our Lord watch over you and your son,” Hotep murmured, and with her freedom in hand, she fled from the room.

  Claudia gathered her remaining jewelry and put the pouch into the traveling bag. Then she and Doros slipped out to the garden and waited. Paulinus would be able to say she had run away and he didn’t know where she was. She hoped it would protect him.

  There was a soft knock on the gate and Claudia cautiously opened it. A man stood on the step. “I am to take you to the safe place.” He was tall and well built. He had a beard but didn’t look Jewish. His dark eyes surveyed her and she was startled by the feeling his eyes evoked in her. Still, she had to be cautious.

  “What is your name?”

  His deep voice was almost soothing. “It is best you do not know.”

  She hesitated still. “What is the secret word?”

  “Ichthus, the fish.”

  Claudia and Doros followed their guide through the maze of streets, both wearing dark cloaks that hid their faces. They walked a long time before rounding a deserted building and entering a hidden opening in the granite cliffs. Claudia felt chills run down her back as they passed indentations in the rock where skeletons lay amidst decaying burial wrappings. The air was stale and she pulled her shawl over her nose. They wound their way through a series of tunnels and came to a cavernous room where people were gathered in various groups. Small cooking fires burned. She turned to thank her guide, but he was nowhere in sight.

  She looked around, wondering what to do next, when a familiar voice spoke her name. It was Medina!

  Overcome at finding a beloved friend in this strange place, Claudia fell into her arms. When she regained control, she stepped back. “How is it you are in this place, Medina?”

  “I am a courier, my lady. I help bring those seeking refuge from Roman persecution to this place of safety, just as Quintas has done.”

  His name was Quintas.

  Medina put her arm around Doros. “Come to my fire and warm yourselves. I have food.”

  She shared cheese, a small loaf of dark bread, and some apple cider from her meager supply.

  Claudia looked around as she and Doros ate. “How long do people live here?”

  “Only as long as is necessary. When we can, we get them out of the city and on to other countries or safer areas.” Medina look
ed around and whispered. “It is best we find a way to smuggle you out of the city. Valeria is looking for you. For your own sake, I will simply call you Claudia. It is safer for others not to know who you are. There have been betrayals, mostly for money.”

  “The man, Quintas, is he trustworthy?”

  Medina smiled sadly. “He was a Roman magistrate and was away on business when Caligula had his family murdered. The wife of Quintas rebuffed Caligula’s amorous overtures.”

  Cold chills went over Claudia’s body. She remembered the banquet and Caligula’s subtle invitation and perusal of her. Could that be why . . . ? She shook the thoughts away. It was too late to even think of those things.

  Medina went on, “Quintas is a believer and was found at his villa in great anguish. Knowing the soldiers would return to look for him, two of our brothers brought him here to save his life.”

  Claudia’s heart went out to him. How would she feel if she came home one day and found Doros murdered? It was enough that Lucius was dead, possibly by his own hand.

  Claudia and Doros rested three days as Medina sought for a way to smuggle them out of Rome. Soldiers were everywhere, looking for a woman and a boy of about eleven years old.

  “Mater, will we have to stay here forever?”

  She smiled. “No, my son, not forever. Medina will find a way to help us.”

  She and Doros gathered with the other believers, some of whom were Jews, who brought Scriptures from the Pentateuch. She listened to the comforting words of the Most High God and the songs of David from the psalms. Peace settled on her spirit and she knew she was in the hands of the One she could trust with all her heart.

  From time to time she would look up and see Quintas watching her. Something in her heart wanted to soothe the sadness she saw in his face.

  As she sat working on her embroidery, he came and sat down on the carpet beside her. “Why are you hiding from the empress? There are rumors of a great search in the city.”