Episode 37: Claudius makes Herod Agrippa King of Judea

The new emperor Claudius began by repaying his friends and supporters, chief among them, Herod Agrippa, who was named King of Judea. At Herod Agrippa's urging, Claudius reaffirmed the Roman policy of religious tolerance, especially as it applied to the Jews.   Cassius, the governor of Asia, whose execution had been ordered by Caligula, escaped with his life due to the death of the princeps.  Julia Livilla and Agrippina return to Rome from exile. Julia Livilla finds herself on the wrong end of Messalina's wrath whereas Agrippa, the young, widowed mother, finds a new husband, that of her sister-in-law, Domitia Lepida.     SHOWNOTES That Claudius had become emperor, mirabili casu, by a remarkable chance (Suet., Claud. 10). Herod Agrippa material in this episode (Jos. Ant. 19.5-6) Material about Claudius, Messalina, and Agrippina comes from Tacitus, Annals, 11-12. Agrippina and Galba (Suet. Galba, 5).