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— CH. 1 · ORIGINS AND EARLY LIFE —

Claudius Gothicus

~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • Marcus Aurelius Claudius was born on the 10th of May in 214. Some researchers suggest a later date of 219 or 220, yet most historians adhere to the first version. The birthplace remains unknown, though he might have been born somewhere near the Danube. The Historia Augusta serves as the only source regarding his early life, but this collection is riddled with fabrications and obsequious praises. In the fourth century, Claudius was declared a relative of Constantine the Great's father, Constantius Chlorus. This claim linked him to the ruling dynasty of that era. Historians must use the Historia Augusta with extreme caution while supplementing it with information from other sources like Aurelius Victor or Zosimus. Coins and inscriptions provide additional context for these uncertain years. An obscure passage suggests he was thought to be a bastard son of Gordian II. A grown woman prepared him for marriage when he was still a youth. Many doubt this theory today, but it persists in historical records.

  • Claudius served with the Roman army before coming to power. He secured appointments to the highest military posts during his career. The Historia Augusta claims he was a military tribune in the reign of Decius between 249 and 251. Modern scholars find this doubtful because a military tribune usually commanded a legionary cohort or an ala of auxiliary cavalry at that time. Such a demotion would suggest a serious rift between himself and Gallienus. No ancient source provides evidence for this rift, even Zosimus who was notably cool towards Claudius. Trebellius Pollio reveals that Decius rewarded Claudius after he demonstrated strength fighting another soldier at the Games of Mars. His troops proclaimed him emperor amid charges that he murdered his predecessor Gallienus. These charges were never proven by any court or tribunal. He soon showed himself less bloodthirsty than expected. He asked the Roman Senate to spare the lives of Gallienus's family and supporters. A legend tells of Claudius knocking out a horse's teeth with one punch. When performing as a wrestler in the 250s, he supposedly knocked out the teeth of his opponent when his genitalia had been grabbed.

  • At the Battle of Naissus, Claudius and his legions routed a huge Gothic army. Together with his cavalry commander Aurelian, they took thousands of prisoners. They destroyed the Gothic cavalry as a force entirely. This victory earned Claudius his surname of Gothicus meaning conqueror of the Goths. The Goths were soon driven back across the Danube river. Nearly a century passed before they again posed a serious threat to the empire. Around the same time, the Alamanni crossed the Alps and attacked the empire. Claudius responded quickly by routing them at the Battle of Lake Benacus in late fall of 268. This occurred only a few months after the Battle of Naissus. For this success he was awarded the title Germanicus Maximus. His victories over the Goths made him a hero in Latin tradition. These events set the stage for later destruction of the Gallic Empire under Aurelian. The Roman Empire faced serious danger from incursions both inside and outside its borders during his reign.

  • Claudius assumed the consulship in 269 with Paternus from the prominent senatorial family known as the Paterni. Flavius Antiochianus served as one of the consuls of 270 while Virius Orfitus held influence during his father's term as prefect. Pomponius Bassus acted as Aurelian's colleague as consul from one of the oldest senatorial families. In his first full year of power, Claudius greatly assisted by the sudden destruction of the imperium Galliarum. Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus declared himself emperor in Germania Superior in spring of 269. Postumus defeated him but refused to allow the sack of Mainz which had served as headquarters. Out of anger, Postumus's army mutinied and murdered him. Marcus Aurelius Marius replaced Posterus as ruler but did not last long. Victorinus defeated Marius and became emperor of the Gauls. Spanish provinces deserted the Gallic Empire and declared loyalty to Claudius. Placidianus captured Grenoble in southern Gaul before stopping there. Autun revolted declaring itself for Claudius in the next year. The central government made no moves to support it during a siege lasting many weeks.

  • Claudius fell victim to the Plague of Cyprian possibly smallpox early in 270. He died after succumbing to this pestilence that ravaged the provinces of the Empire. Before his death he is thought to have named Aurelian as his successor. His brother Quintillus briefly seized power instead. The Senate immediately deified Claudius as Divus Claudius Gothicus. Historians date his death in either January April August or September due to conflicting sources. The Chronograph of 354 gives Claudius a reign of one year and four months. Jerome and Aurelius Victor both give one year and nine months. Some Alexandrian coins dated to his third year suggest he died in September 270. Arthur Stein dated Claudius's death to April citing a document of Aurelian from the 25th of May 270. Modern scholars believe this document to be dated to 271 instead. The last confirmed document is dated to the 20th of September 270 though another undated papyri could tentatively be dated to October.

  • The unreliable Historia Augusta reports Claudius and Quintillus having another brother named Crispus. Through him a niece Claudia reportedly married Eutropius and was mother to Constantius Chlorus. Zonaras and Eutropius claim Chlorus was Claudia's daughter's son instead. Historians suspect these accounts are genealogical fabrication intended to link the family of Constantine I to that of a well-respected emperor. Claudius is also held in high esteem by Zonaras whose Greek tradition seems influenced by Latin. For Zosimus, a more reasoned contemporary view shows Claudius as less grand. His successes in 269 were not continued in his next year as emperor. As Scythians starved in mountains or surrendered legions pursuing them began seeing an epidemic spreading throughout men. Claudius's unwillingness to do anything at siege of Autun likely provoked quarrel with Zenobia. Coins of Vaballathus avoid claims to imperial power remaining vir consularis rex imperator dux Romanorum. These titles suggest Odaenathus's position was inheritable within Palmyrene context. The status gained in procuring a position could be passed on but not the position itself.

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Common questions

When was Marcus Aurelius Claudius born?

Marcus Aurelius Claudius was born on the 10th of May in 214. Some researchers suggest a later date of 219 or 220, yet most historians adhere to the first version.

What battle earned Claudius Gothicus his surname?

The Battle of Naissus earned Claudius his surname of Gothicus meaning conqueror of the Goths. He and his cavalry commander Aurelian routed a huge Gothic army and destroyed their cavalry as a force entirely.

How did Claudius die during his reign from 268 to 270?

Claudius fell victim to the Plague of Cyprian possibly smallpox early in 270. He died after succumbing to this pestilence that ravaged the provinces of the Empire.

Who succeeded Claudius after he died in September 270?

His brother Quintillus briefly seized power instead of Aurelian whom Claudius is thought to have named as his successor before death. The Senate immediately deified Claudius as Divus Claudius Gothicus.

Why do historians doubt the Historia Augusta account of Claudius's early life?

Historians must use the Historia Augusta with extreme caution while supplementing it with information from other sources like Aurelius Victor or Zosimus because the collection is riddled with fabrications and obsequious praises. An obscure passage suggests he was thought to be a bastard son of Gordian II yet many doubt this theory today.

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All sources

25 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webClaudius II Gothicus (268—270)Richard D. Weigel — An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors — 2001
  2. 2citationClaudius (II) Gothicus, Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor, 268–270 CEJohn Frederick Drinkwater — 2016-03-07
  3. 3inlineMany think this man was fathered by Gordian, when, as a youth, he was being prepared by a grown woman for a wife.
  4. 4bookEmperors and Ancestors: Roman Rulers and the Constraints of TraditionOlivier Hekster — Oxford University Press — 2015
  5. 5inlineHistoria Augusta, The Life of Claudius
  6. 6webThe Roman empire (27 B.C.-393 A.D.)Christopher Lightfoot — The Metropolitan Museum of Art — October 2000
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  9. 9journalZur Chronologie der römischen Kaiser von Decius bis DiocletianArthur Stein — 1924
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  11. 11bookThe Roman Emperor Aurelian: Restorer of the WorldJohn White — Casemate — 2015
  12. 12journalUne carrière équestre sous le règne de l'empereur GallienMichel Christol — 1976
  13. 13bookRome's Eastern Trade: International Commerce and Imperial Policy 31 BC – AD 305Gary K. Young — Routledge — 2003
  14. 14bookEmpress Zenobia: Palmyra's Rebel QueenPatricia Southern — A&C Black — 2008
  15. 15newsCoins with powerLiesbeth Claes — Jaarboek voor Munt — 2015
  16. 16webClaudius Gothicus
  17. 17inlineFilocalus, Chronicle of the City of Rome.
  18. 18inlineChronicon, s. 269; Epitome de Caesaribus s. 34
  19. 19bookRoman Imperial Titulature and Chronology, A.D. 235–284Michael Peachin — Gieben — 1990
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  21. 21bookDie Zeit der Soldatenkaiser: Krise und Transformation des Römischen Reiches im 3. Jahrhundert n. Chr. (235-284)Klaus-Peter Johne — Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG — 2014
  22. 22bookThe Oxyrhynchus papyriBernard P. Grenfell et al. — Egypt Exploration Fund — 1898
  23. 23journalThe Dates of the Recognition in Egypt of the Emperors from Caracalla to DiocletianusD. W. Rathbone — 1986
  24. 24inlineHistoria Augusta, Life of Claudius 1 (note 1). LacusCurtius.
  25. 25bookEmperors and Ancestors: Roman Rulers and the Constraints of TraditionOlivier Hekster — Oxford University Press — 2015