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<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[File:Woman childstatue3.jpg|thumb|Agrippina the Younger, wife of Claudius, together with her son Nero.]] -->
Halotus is primarily remembered for his suspected involvement in the conspiracy and poisoning of Emperor Claudius on 13 October (times of death are in dispute; see below) 54 AD.<ref>{{cite wikisource
Halotus, as the Emperor's official taster, would probably have had a role in the plot, deceiving Claudius into believing the food was safe to consume.<ref>Jacob Abbott ''Nero'' Harper & Bros., 1881</ref> He is a prime suspect because he would have had access to everything eaten by the Emperor on the night of his death. It has been suggested that Halotus may have been the murderer but was working under orders of Agrippina.<ref name="flames2" >Paul L. Maier ''The Flames of Rome'', page 102. Kregel Publications, 1991. {{ISBN|0-8254-3297-9}}</ref><ref>Cornelius Tacitus, George Otis Holbrooke ''The annals of Tacitus''. Published 1882</ref> While it is uncertain whether Halotus would have had anything to gain from the death of the Emperor, Agrippina's political and personal advantage gained by the death of her husband was evident; with Claudius dead, [[Nero]], Agrippina's biological son, would be able to claim the throne. It was also known that the animosity between Agrippina and Claudius had grown during the months preceding the homicide.<ref>Suet. ''Claud.'' 43</ref> Other notable suspects included [[Locusta]], a professional poisoner,<ref>Accounts of his death: Suet. Claud. 43, 44. Tac. Ann. XII 64, 66–67. Josephus Ant. Iud. XX 148, 151. Dio Rom. Hist. LX 34. Pliny Natural History II 92, XI 189, XXII 92.</ref> and [[Gaius Stertinius Xenophon|Xenophon]], Claudius' royal [[physician]], who, in line with the suggestion that the poison was not immediately fatal, is said to have carried an ailing Claudius out of the banquet, taken him to his room and forced a poisoned feather into his mouth on the pretence of encouraging him to regurgitate.<ref>[[Robert Lynam (writer)|Robert Lynam]], ''The History of the Roman Emperors: From Augustus to the Death of Marcus''. Simpkin, Marshall & Co, 1850.</ref> Others say Xenophon used poisoned [[gruel]].<ref>Suetonius ''Claudius''</ref>
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