GBH Openvault

Masterpiece Theatre; I, Claudius, Episode 9: Zeus, By Jove

Part of The Linda and Andrew Egendorf Masterpiece Theatre Alistair Cooke Collection.

Commentary by Masterpiece Theatre host Alistair Cooke.


License Clip
Series
Masterpiece Theatre
Program
I, Claudius, Episode 9: Zeus, By Jove
Program Number

109

Program Description

This episode takes place in 37 AD - Tiberius is on his deathbed. Macro listens for a heartbeat and, removing the Imperial ring to give to Caligula, pronounces him dead. As Caligula is announcing the death, a slave bursts in. "He's alive again!", he cries. Macro goes to check, lifts Tiberius into bed and smothers him with the pillow. At first, Caligula appears to be a great Emperor. But, he's spending the money in Treasury like there's no tomorrow. He selects Claudius to be Consul with him. That's a surprise to everyone, but Caligula says not to worry, he'll do all the thinking. A huge migraine comes over him and he collapses on the floor. When he recovers, Caligula thinks that he has become a god along with Drusilla, who has become a goddess. In the Temple of Jove, Caligula 'talks' to Jove and Hera, insulting them as inferior and Drusilla reveals that she's pregnant.

Asset Type

Open - Close

Media Type

Video

Genres
Drama
Citation
Chicago: “Masterpiece Theatre; I, Claudius, Episode 9: Zeus, By Jove,” GBH Archives, accessed January 27, 2025, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_CC32B00BFE2A4A7C9EF254DE73805AA7.
MLA: “Masterpiece Theatre; I, Claudius, Episode 9: Zeus, By Jove.” GBH Archives. Web. January 27, 2025. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_CC32B00BFE2A4A7C9EF254DE73805AA7>.
APA: Masterpiece Theatre; I, Claudius, Episode 9: Zeus, By Jove. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_CC32B00BFE2A4A7C9EF254DE73805AA7
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