According to a passage in Polybius (Polyb. 27.3.1-5; Liv. 42.45.1-7) Ti. Claudius Nero and two others were sent on an embassy to Asia and the islands (see no. b). The Polybian account begins with autumn 172-171 (Liv. 42.37ff.; esp. 42.44.8) and therefore reports the same period before the consular year 171 as the passages under consideration here. The missions of both embassies are similar, especially in regard to Rhodes, but the account based on Polybius makes no mention of the kings. Another Polybian passage (Liv. 42.29.6) mentions Roman Legates to Antiochus at this time. These would probably be Claudius Nero and his two companions. M. Decimius is mentioned from annalistic sources and only in this connection. See Nissen, Untersuch. 246-254; Niese 3.111, note 1; Münzer, RE as cited above; Kahrstedt, Klio 11 (1911) 415-430; De Sanctis 4.1.-274. (Broughton MRR I)
In both Livy and Polybius Nero is named first in an embassy consisting of himself and two consulars. Willems (Sénat 2.496, no. 5; 501, no. 16) identifies him with the Consul of 202, but as the other two names are not in the order of seniority the way is open to accept the identification suggested by Münzer (RE no. 251) and De Sanctis (4.1.277) with the Praetor of 178. Note that the Praetor of 181 (RE no. 250) is also a possibility. (Broughton MRR I)
Sent to Asia and the islands, including Rhodes and Crete, and proceeding as far as Syria and Egypt, to renew friendships and alliances and to observe how peoples and kings were influenced by Perseus of Macedon (Liv. 42.19.7-8, and 26.7-9). Livy's account is based on annalistic sources and is suspect, since it seems to be repeated under 171 in a passage based on Polybius (42.45.1-7). See no. b, and below, note 4. (Broughton MRR I)