Claudia cared for Cornelia in a manner, and believed it was a real kindness to tear the poor girl away from her solitary broodings and plunge her into the whirl of the world of Roman fashion.

Claudia had become an intimate of Clodia, the widow of Quintus Metellus, a woman of remarkable gifts and a notoriously profligate character.

"The Medea of the Palatine Hill," Cicero had bitingly styled her.

Nearly all the youth of parts and social distinction enjoyed the wild pleasures of Clodia's garden by the Tiber.

Catullus the poet, Caelius the brilliant young politician, and many another had figured as lovers of this soulless and enchanting woman.