Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy

434
Martha C. Nussbaum
Nero. The fates give Nero many extra years, but they order Claudius to
die. This he does. His last words, after a loud noise “from that part with
which he found it easier to communicate” 5 : “Good heavens. I think
I’ve shit myself.” The speaker comments, “Well, I don’t know about
that, but he certainly shat up everything else.” (Apoc. 4)
On earth there is great happiness. Meanwhile, Claudius arrives in
heaven. The gods are puzzled by his odd appearance and incoherent
speech. At first, Claudius tries to order people around, but, realizing
that he does not hold supreme power in this new place, he speaks politely,
asking Hercules to be his sponsor before the gods. Several
speeches are now made by minor gods, supporting the deification of
Claudius. Finally, the deified emperor Augustus rises to speak. He delivers
a damning indictment of Claudius’s cruelty, his many political
murders, and his utter indifference to justice – saying, “All words fall
short of my indignation” (Apoc. 10). He proposes a resolution that Claudius
be deported from heaven and severely punished. Mercury grabs
Claudius by the neck and drags him down to the underworld.
On the way they pass Claudius’ funeral. Seeing it, Claudius realizes
that he is dead. All Romans are extremely happy – except the corrupt
lawyers. Claudius is dragged down to the underworld, where a large
crowd gathers. Claudius exclaims, “The whole world is full of friends.
How did you all get here?” The reply: “What are you saying, you paragon
of cruelty? You ask how? Who else sent us here but you, you murderer
of all your friends.” (Apoc. 13) Claudius is now taken to court before
Aeacus, the underworld judge. He is indicted for countless murders.
He can’t find a lawyer to defend him, until a corrupt old crony
steps up. The prosecution is successful. The punishment is discussed:
should Claudius take the place of Sisyphus or Tantalus or Ixion? No,
some futile task more fitting to his life must be devised. He is ordered
to play dice with a dice-box with a hole in it. Then Caligula appears
and asks for Claudius to be his slave; his wish is granted.
That is the action. We can already see in it much that might be read
as inviting the reader to Stoic detachment, but also much that is potentially
more problematic. Let us now look closely at the speaker and his
self-presentation at the opening of the work:
5 Here and henceforth, I cite my own translation, prepared for the University of
Chicago Press edition of translations of Seneca’s writings, forthcoming; the
translation is still in the process of revision, and may thus not appear absolutely
as given here.