Claudius

• 1. The Outcast Prince

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  On the 1st of August 10 BC, a boy named Tiberius Claudius D. f. Ti. n. Drusus was born in Lugdunum, modern-day Lyon, France. His father served as a military legate there, making the child the first Roman emperor to be born outside Italy. The infant suffered from an illness that left him with a limp, a stammer, and a tremor. His mother Antonia Minor called him a monster and used his condition as a standard for stupidity. She passed him off to her own mother Livia for years of care.

  Livia sent short angry letters of reproof to the young prince. A former mule-driver supervised his discipline under the logic that his condition resulted from laziness. By his teenage years, symptoms waned enough for family members to notice his scholarly interests. In AD 7, Livy began tutoring Claudius in history alongside Sulpicius Flavus. He spent much time with philosopher Athenodorus. Augustus later expressed surprise at the clarity of Claudius's oratory in a surviving letter.

  His work as a historian damaged his prospects for advancement. He wrote a history of Civil Wars that proved too truthful or critical of Octavian. Family elders quickly stopped the project. They decided he could not be trusted to toe the party line. When Augustus died in AD 14, Claudius was twenty-three years old. He appealed to Tiberius for public office but received only consular ornaments. He requested office again and was snubbed. He retired to a private life while the general public respected him.

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• 2. The Praetorian Gambit

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  On the 24th of January 41, Caligula was assassinated by Cassius Chaerea and several senators. Claudius witnessed the German guard cut down uninvolved noblemen including many friends. He fled to the palace to hide behind a curtain. A Praetorian named Gratus found him there and suddenly proclaimed him princeps. The Praetorians spirited him away to their camp under protection.

  The Senate debated changing the government into an argument over who would become new princeps. They demanded Claudius be delivered for approval when they heard of the Praetorians' claim. He refused sensing danger from complying. Some historians like Josephus claimed Judaean King Herod Agrippa directed his actions. Eventually the Senate gave in. Claudius granted amnesty though executed junior officers involved in the conspiracy.

  Actual assassins including Cassius Chaerea were put to death as future deterrents. Since Claudius was first emperor proclaimed on initiative of Praetorian Guard instead of Senate, his repute suffered at hands of commentators like Seneca. They accused him of being first emperor to resort to bribery securing army loyalty. He rewarded soldiers with fifteen thousand sesterces each. Claudius remained grateful issuing coins with tributes to Praetorians early in reign.

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• 3. Bureaucracy And Freedmen

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  Claudius expanded imperial bureaucracy to include freedmen by centralizing powers of princeps. He did not want free-born magistrates serving under him as if peers. Secretariat divided into bureaus each led by one freedman. Narcissus became secretary of correspondence while Pallas handled treasury duties. Callistus served as secretary of justice. A fourth bureau for miscellaneous issues went to Polybius until execution for treason.

  Freedmen could officially speak for Emperor when Narcissus addressed troops before conquest of Britain. Senators felt aghast placing important positions in hands of former slaves and well-known eunuchs. Ancient sources claimed these men manipulated Emperor through total control of money letters and law. Yet same sources admitted freedmen remained loyal to Claudius throughout their service. He showed appreciation giving due credit for policies they advised but punished treacherous inclinations with force.

  No evidence suggests character of Claudius's policies changed with rise or fall of various freedmen. They managed to amass wealth through positions Pliny the Elder described as richer than Crassus richest man Republican era. Claudius maintained firm control despite extent of political power held by these former slaves. The administration of Ostia turned over to Imperial procurator after port construction.

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• 4. Conquest Of Britannia

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  In 43 AD, Claudius sent Aulus Plautius with four legions to Britain following appeal from ousted tribal ally. Britain attracted Rome because of mines potential slave labor and haven for Gallic rebels. Claudius himself traveled island after completion initial offensives bringing reinforcements. Some claim he brought elephants though historians doubt this assertion.

  Roman colonia Colonia Claudia Victricensis established provincial capital newly established province Britannia at Camulodunum. Large temple dedicated his honor there. He left Britain after sixteen days remaining provinces some time. Senate granted triumph efforts allowing only Imperial family members such honors. Claudius subsequently lifted restriction for conquering generals. He received honorific Britannicus accepting it behalf son never using title himself.

  British general Caractacus captured year 50 Claudius granted clemency. Caractacus lived out days land provided Roman state unusual end enemy commander. Claudius conducted census 48 finding 5,984,072 adult male Roman citizens increase around million since Augustus death census. Foundation colonies granted blanket citizenship often existing communities elites rallying populace Roman cause. Provinces Thrace Noricum Lycia Judea annexed direct rule various circumstances term.

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• 5. Aqueducts And Famine

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  Claudius built finished two aqueducts Aqua Claudia begun Caligula Aqua Anio Novus entered city 52 meeting Porta Maggiore. He restored third Aqua Virgo paying special attention transportation Italy provinces. Built roads canals including large canal Rhine sea road Italy Germany both begun father Drusus. Closer Rome navigable canal Tiber leading Portus new port north Ostia constructed semicircle two moles lighthouse mouth reducing flooding Rome.

  Port Ostia part solution constant grain shortages winter after Roman shipping season. Other part insurance ships grain merchants willing risk traveling Egypt off-season. Granted sailors privileges including citizenship exemption Lex Papia Poppaea law regulating marriage. Repealed taxes Caligula instituted food further reduced taxes communities suffering drought famine. Last plan avoid famine increase amount arable land Italy achieved draining Fucine lake making nearby river navigable year-round.

  Tunnel dug through lake bed plan failure tunnel crooked not large enough carry water causing backup opened. Resultant flood washed out large gladiatorial exhibition held commemorate opening causing Claudius run life along other spectators. Draining lake continued present problem well Middle Ages finally achieved Prince Torlonia 19th century producing over new arable land expanded Claudian tunnel three times original size.

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• 6. Wives And Court

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  Claudius married four times after two failed betrothals first to distant cousin Aemilia Lepida broken political reasons second Livia Medullina Camilla ended sudden death wedding day. Plautia Urgulanilla granddaughter Livia confidant Urgulania gave birth son Claudius Drusus died asphyxiation early teens shortly becoming engaged Junilla daughter Sejanus. Claudius later divorced Urgulanilla adultery suspicion murdering sister-in-law Apronia. When Urgulanilla gave birth divorce Claudius repudiated baby girl Claudia father allegedly one freedmen.

  Soon possibly 28 AD Claudius married Aelia Paetina relative Sejanus if not adoptive sister marriage produced daughter Claudia Antonia. Later divorced marriage became political liability version suggests emotional mental abuse Paetina caused split. Some years after divorcing Aelia Paetina 38 early 39 Claudius married Valeria Messalina first cousin once removed closely allied Caligula circle. Shortly thereafter gave birth daughter Claudia Octavia son Tiberius Claudius Germanicus known Britannicus born just accessions.

  Marriage ended tragedy ancient historians allege Messalina nymphomaniac regularly unfaithful Tacitus states competed prostitute see who could have more sexual partners night manipulated policies amass wealth. Year 48 Messalina married lover Gaius Silius public ceremony Claudius Ostia. Sources disagree whether divorced Emperor first intention usurp throne Roman law spouse needed informed divorced before new marriage take place sources state Claudius total ignorance until after marriage.

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• 7. Poison And Succession

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  Ancient historians agree Claudius murdered poison possibly contained mushrooms feather ostensibly put throat induce vomiting died early hours the 13th of October 54. Nearly all implicate final powerful wife Agrippina instigator. Agrippina Claudius become combative months leading death carried point Claudius openly lamented bad wives began comment Britannicus approaching manhood eye restoring status imperial family. Agrippina had motive ensuring succession Nero before Britannicus gain power.

  Some implicate taster Halotus doctor Xenophon infamous poisoner Locusta administrator fatal substance. Accounts vary dying prolonged suffering following single dose dinner recovering poisoned again. Among contemporary sources Seneca Younger ascribed emperor's death natural causes Josephus spoke rumors poisoning. Some historians cast doubt whether Claudius murdered merely died illness old age evidence include serious illnesses last years unhealthy lifestyle fact taster Halotus continued serve same position under Nero.

  Claudius so ill year Nero vowed games recovery year 54 seemed such unhealthy year one sitting member magistracy died within span few months. May even died eating naturally poisonous mushroom Amanita muscaria. On other hand modern scholars claim near universality accusations ancient texts lends credence crime. Claudius ashes interred Mausoleum Augustus the 24th of October 54 funeral similar great-uncle Augustus forty years earlier.

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• 8. Legacy And Revision

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  Already alive received widespread private worship living princeps worshipped Britannia own temple Camulodunum. Claudius deified Nero Senate almost immediately. Agrippina sent Narcissus away shortly before Claudius death freedman murdered last act secretary letters burned all Claudius correspondence likely used against him others hostile new regime. Thus Claudius private words policies motives lost history. Just Claudius criticized predecessors official edicts Nero often criticized deceased Emperor many Claudian laws edicts disregarded reasoning too stupid senile meant them.

  Seneca Apocolocyntosis mocks deification Claudius reinforces view unpleasant fool remained official view duration Nero reign. Eventually Nero stopped referring deified adoptive father at all. Temple Claudius left unfinished only some foundation laid down site overtaken Nero Golden House. Flavians risen prominence under Claudius took different tack needed shore legitimacy justify fall Julio-Claudians reached back Claudius contrast Nero show associated good regime. Commemorative coins issued Claudius son Britannicus friend Emperor Titus born 39 Britannicus born 41.

  Best known fictional representation Emperor contained books I Claudius Claudius God published 1934 1935 respectively Robert Graves written first-person give reader impression Claudius autobiography. Graves employed fictive artifice suggest recently discovered genuine translations Claudius writings extant letters speeches sayings incorporated text mostly second book Claudius God add authenticity. Series starred Derek Jacobi Claudius broadcast 1976 BBC2 substantial critical success won several BAFTA awards.

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