Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (15 page)

She waited in fear, bile rising in her throat.
Oh Lucius. Don’t give the order.
Such a slaughter would get back to Rome and how would he explain this to the emperor? She prayed silently for a solution.

Lucius stood stiffly, perspiration breaking out on his forehead. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he stared at the spectacle before him. Claudia held her breath, pleading silently to the gods.
Please, Lucius, don’t do this!

Lucius finally spoke, his voice carrying over the crowd to his men. “Sheath your swords.”

He then addressed the crowd. “With clemency in the name of Tiberius Caesar, I bid you rise. My task is to govern with justice. I see that you are truly sincere in this matter, and while I was forced to put this to a drastic test, it is evident that the military standards are truly offensive to your people. You were not just testing my authority.”

Claudia breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“You must understand that this is still an insult to Caesar and I cannot answer for any repercussions, but in this instance, I shall not dishonor the emperor. The cohort with the offensive standards will be returned to Caesarea, but I will send a cohort with new banners without the image of the emperor on them. Romans and Jews must be able to live and work together. Go in peace. Return to your homes.”

A hushed silence followed as the full import of his words was understood.

The crowd began a mighty roar of approval and cheered the governor. They hugged each other and some danced in their exuberance. Suddenly a great hymn of praise broke forth and the people began to sing as one as they gathered their belongings and jubilantly left the plaza.

Lucius watched them go and Claudia came to stand by his side, murmuring softly so only her husband heard. “Well done, my Lucius, well done. You were magnificent.”

He dismissed his troops, leaving the additional soldiers to return to Sebaste. He called his tribune. “Exchange the cohorts and bring the offending banners to Caesarea.” He looked around the plaza. “And arrange a detail to clean up this mess.”

The head priest who had been helped to his feet, bowed low to the governor. “You are a wise and gracious man, my lord. We are grateful.”

In moments the delegation of priests from Jerusalem exited the plaza and hurried back to their city with the good news.

Lucius watched them leave, his face dark as the evening shadows. Claudia grieved for him. In his first major encounter with the Jews, had he lost face?

As they returned to the castle, Claudia glanced back at the nearly empty plaza. “The crowd has almost gone, my lord.”

He almost snarled. “They are leaving, but I’m sure it is not the last time something will arise in regard to their abominable religion.” He balled his fists. “I would have slaughtered them all, but I cannot justify such an action to the emperor, though I would probably please my mentor. Sejanus hates the Jews as much as I do.”

The vehemence of his words shocked her. This cruel streak was one she had not foreseen. Then the words of her grandmother came back to her mind.
He will make many mistakes. He is young for this responsibility. You must be a helpmate to him and be his strength.

She spoke gently, gauging the reception of her words. “You are wise, my Lucius, to consider all that such an action would bring. I have seen, in my years in the palace, the repercussions of arousing the anger of the emperor.”

She bore his scrutiny with calm as he studied her face a moment. “Perhaps I have wed a wise counsel.” To her relief she had diffused his anger.

A soldier appeared in the entry and waited patiently until Lucius was aware of his presence. When summoned, he spoke with Lucius and whatever the matter, it appeared urgent.

Her husband, with a brief smile at her, turned to go with the soldier. “I have business to attend to. I will join you at dinner.” And he was gone.

Hotep waited in the courtyard for her mistress’s command.

Claudia considered a moment and then said, “Send for Jeremiah.”

The gardener came at her summons and she joined him in the alcove in the courtyard. So that she would not have to deceive her husband again, she discussed plants that could brighten up the courtyard and those that might grow well indoors. After she was satisfied that he understood her wishes, she inquired on the matter foremost in her mind.

“You are aware of the incident that just occurred here. Tell me of your religion. What do you believe and how did it begin?”

“It would take more time than we have today, my lady, but I will tell you if you truly wish to hear.”

“I wish to hear, Jeremiah. Sit down, and tell me what you can today. Start at the beginning.”

He knit his heavy brows together but seemed satisfied that she was indeed interested. He sat hesitantly on the end of the bench.

“Long ago, in Ur of the land of Chaldea, there lived a great man called Abram. One day he heard a voice speaking to him. It was the voice of the Most High God who said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on the earth will be blessed because of you.’”

Claudia was intrigued. “He heard the audible voice of a god?”

Jeremiah shook his head. “No, my lady, he heard the voice of the one and only God.” And he continued: “He had a wife, Sarai, and a nephew, Lot, but no children of his own, for his wife was barren. He packed up all that he had in obedience to the call of God and left Ur. Many things happened to Abram and his wife Sarai, but God was with them and changed his name to Abraham, which means ‘father of many nations.’ Now Abraham reached one hundred years old and his wife Sarai, ninety, but there was no sign of the promised seed. Then God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah and said that he would bless her.
Though Abraham and Sarah were past the age of childbearing, our God is a God of miracles, and according to the time set by the Most High, Sarah conceived and bore a son and they named him Isaac.”

Claudia interrupted again. “This sounds like a strange tale. Whoever heard of a couple that age bearing a child? That is impossible.”

Jeremiah smiled. “With our God, nothing is impossible.” Then, “When Isaac was forty, Abraham sent his servant to his kinsman to find a wife for his son. He found Rebekah. Through their son Jacob were born twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali. One of the younger sons, Joseph, who was born of his favored wife, Rachel, had many dreams—dreams that his brothers would bow down to him one day—and he spoke foolishly. When he came from his father to check on the herds and see his brothers, out of jealousy they sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelite slave traders. Joseph was taken to Egypt and bought by Potiphar, who was the captain of the guard for Pharaoh. He became the steward of his master, over his entire household. He was unjustly thrown into prison and yet the Most High God blessed him even there. He was made a trustee over the prisoners. When two of the prisoners had dreams, Joseph told them the meaning of their dreams. Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams that disturbed him. When Joseph was called from the prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh learned that the Most High God was showing him that Egypt would have seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. When Pharaoh saw that the Most High God was with Joseph and that the plan Joseph suggested for Egypt was good, he was put in charge of all Egypt. Only Pharaoh had more power than Joseph.

“The seven good years happened and were used to store up grain to feed the people of Egypt, but as the famine spread, people from other countries came for food. One day Joseph’s brothers were sent by their father, Jacob, to buy grain. They did not recognize their brother Joseph, and just like in his dream, they all bowed down to him. Eventually he revealed himself and brought not only his father but his whole
family to the land of Goshen in Egypt where they could raise their flocks and herds . . .”

Jeremiah paused. “Perhaps I am going too fast for you?”

Claudia shook her head. “No. I was wondering. Do you feel that your dreams tell you of something that is going to happen, like the Pharaoh’s dream?”

“Sometimes they are a portent of something in the future. Are you troubled with dreams, my lady?”

“Only one that has recurred and it troubles me.”

“I am no interpreter of dreams, but if the dream comes to you many times, I would seek to find why. Are you willing to tell me your dream?”

She considered his question for a long moment. Perhaps if he could help her, the dream would go away. Finally she told him what she saw in her dream. “I do not know what this man wants from me.”

Jeremiah bowed his head and she realized he was praying to his God. After a moment, he lifted his head and his eyes pierced hers. “This is truly a dream that will affect your future and that of your husband. That is what I feel, but I can tell you no more.”

The afternoon shadows were claiming the courtyard. “Thank you, Jeremiah. It is getting late. I will hear more of the story another time.”

He bowed his head and left.

She stood, watching him walk away, her mind troubled by his comments on the dream. Something was coming that would affect her life and that of Lucius. What could it be? She shivered involuntarily, and wrapped her stola tighter. “Hotep, I must dress for dinner.”

Her handmaid had been nearby.

“Were you listening?”

“Yes, Domina, it is a most interesting story. I also would like to hear more.”

Lucius was weary when he joined her. She had dressed carefully in one of her soft blue linen togas. He watched her gracefully settle
on her chair, and stroking her arm with his thumb, his eyes darkened with desire. “I could almost go without dinner, beloved. Your beauty is intoxicating.”

She smiled at him. “Dear husband, your words touch my heart, but I am indeed hungry.”

He grinned and the servants came with the cloths for their hands. Their meal was simple—melons cut in slices, cabbage and peas with cardamom, and a common dish of salt fish, eggs, and cheese.

“How soon will the banners be removed, Lucius?”

He lifted one eyebrow. “That has been on your mind, beloved?”

She reached out and put her hand on the side of his face. “Only in that I know that has been an unwelcome incident. Did you not handle it well?”

“I had no choice.”

She sensed he did not wish to talk about the Jews tonight. They finished their meal and he tilted her chin up and kissed her. Then he took her by the hand and led her up the stairs.

When she had been in Caesarea two months, to her delight, Claudia realized she was expecting a child. She waited another week just to be sure and then informed Lucius that he would be a father in early summer.

He held her to him. “You have made me a happy man, beloved. You must take extra care of yourself.” When he left her, he was smiling and walking with a lighter step.