Claudius

NAME Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Claudius was the fourth Roman Emperor, reigning from 41 AD to 54 AD. He is remembered for expanding the Roman Empire, especially with the invasion of Britain, as well as his scholarly works and surviving multiple political conspiracies during his reign.

BIRTH Claudius was born on August 1, 10 BC, at the Sanctuary of the Three Gauls in what is now Lyon, France. He was the first Roman Emperor to be born outside of Italy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Claudius was part of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His uncle was the Emperor Tiberius, and one of his grandfathers was the famous Roman general and politician, Mark Antony. His nephew was the infamous Emperor Caligula. He was the younger brother of Germanicus, a popular military commander.

CHILDHOOD Claudius' early years were marked by his family’s neglect due to his physical disabilities. He had a stammer and a limp, which caused his family to view him as weak and unsuitable for public life. He was kept away from public office until the age of 38.

EDUCATION Despite his physical impairments, Claudius was highly educated. He was a scholar of history and languages, known to be the last person who could read the Etruscan language. His erudition, however, was overlooked by many of his contemporaries who saw his disabilities as signs of incompetence.

 Claudius was primarily known for his interest in history. He was tutored by the historian Livy, which inspired him to pursue a career as a historian himself.

CAREER RECORD Before becoming emperor, Claudius was largely ignored by his family and was not given significant responsibilities. However, after the assassination of Caligula on January 24, 41 AD, Claudius was found by a Praetorian Guard and declared Emperor. His reign saw the expansion of the Roman Empire, most notably with the successful invasion of Britain in 43 AD.

APPEARANCE Claudius was described as tall and well-proportioned. However, he suffered from several physical ailments that affected his appearance and movement: He had a noticeable limp and weak knees that gave way when he walked; he experienced frequent nervous twitches and tremors; is head was described as very shaky and he had a stammer that affected his speech.

Surviving busts and statues, along with written descriptions, reveal Claudius had an attractive face with becoming white hair in his later years, and light blue eyes.  He had a full neck and his lower lip was said to be "floppy."

Bronze head of Claudius found in the River Alde in England

FASHION As an emperor, Claudius likely wore traditional Roman imperial clothing, such as the toga, tunic and sandals. 

CHARACTER Claudius was a complex figure. While often portrayed as weak due to his physical disabilities, he was also shrewd and politically astute. His unexpected rise to power and ability to navigate the treacherous Roman political landscape speak to his resilience.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Roman sources claim that Claudius was "liable to make jokes at inappropriate moments" and that he "lacked tact and dignity and was too fond of slang.

Claudius was known to issue edicts that showcased his whimsical sense of humor. for instance, he issued an edict advocating public flatulence to promote good health. This unusual decree could be seen as a way to lighten the mood and perhaps deflect from more serious matters.

His writings showed a keen wit, but his humor was likely tempered by his scholarly demeanor.

RELATIONSHIPS  Claudius had a complex marital history, with four marriages throughout his life. 

His first marriage was to Plautia Urgulanilla who he married around 9 AD when he was about 18 years old. They had a son named Claudius Drusus, who died young. Claudius divorced her on suspicion of adultery and possibly murder

Claudius' second marriage was to Aelia Paetina who he married in 28 AD. Aelia was the adopted sister of Sejanus, a powerful Praetorian Guard commander. They had a daughter named Claudia Antonia. Claudius divorced Aelia in 31 AD, shortly after Sejanus fell from power.

His third marriage was to Valeria Messalina who he wed in 38 or early 39 AD. Messalina was Claudius' first cousin once removed and they had two children: Claudia Octavia and Britannicus. This marriage ended scandalously in 48 AD when Messalina allegedly married her lover Gaius Silius in a public ceremony. Claudius had Messalina and Silius executed. 

Claudius' fourth marriage was to Agrippina the Younger on January 1, 49 AD. Agrippina was Claudius' niece, making this marriage incestuous by Roman standards. Claudius adopted Agrippina's son Lucius (later known as Nero). This marriage lasted until Claudius' death in 54 AD and it's widely believed that Agrippina poisoned Claudius to secure the succession for her son Nero. 

Agrippina the Younger by Anonymous (Rome) - Wikipedia

MONEY AND FAME Claudius was a wealthy man, thanks to his inheritance and his position as emperor. 

As Emperor, Claudius had access to vast power. Despite being underestimated in his early years, he became a well-known and controversial figure, especially after his military conquests and public works.

FOOD AND DRINK Claudius was fond of gourmet Roman dishes. He reportedly enjoyed stuffed kidneys, guinea fowl in hazelnut crust, and fish sauce. Ironically, his love of food led to his demise, as he was poisoned by Agrippina with amanita mushrooms.

MUSIC AND ARTS Claudius was a patron of the arts. He commissioned many public works, including temples, theaters, and aqueducts. He also supported poets, musicians, and artists.

LITERATURE Claudius was a prolific writer. He authored histories, including works on Augustus’ reign, Carthage, and Etruscan history. He also wrote an autobiography in eight volumes and was the last known person to be able to read Etruscan.

Claudius wrote a historical treatise on the Roman alphabet and suggested orthographical reforms, which he later attempted to implement as emperor.

Robert Graves' novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God are probably the most famous literary portrayals of Claudius. Written in the form of an autobiographical memoir, the books offer an intimate, fictionalized version of Claudius' life, showing him as an intelligent but physically unassuming man who outmaneuvers his dangerous family to become emperor. Graves' interpretation, which mixes historical detail with creative imagination, has done much to shape the modern image of Claudius.

PETS According to Seneca, Claudius had a "whitish dog" (subalbam canem) that he kept as a pet. The text states: "Even the Emperor Claudius, according to Seneca, subalbam canem deliciis habere adsueverat" 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Claudius’ primary hobby was his scholarly work. He spent much of his free time writing and studying, particularly focusing on history and linguistics.

Claudius was not a particularly athletic man. He preferred intellectual pursuits to physical activities.

REIGN Claudius had a few things working against him, primarily his body. Poor chap had a limp and slight deafness, the result of some childhood illness that no one seems to have adequately diagnosed. Ancient Romans, not known for their bedside manner, took one look at him and said, "Nope, he’s not emperor material," which, in a family like his, was essentially saying, "Please sit over there while the rest of us vie for power and glory."

You see, Claudius’ uncle was Emperor Tiberius, and his nephew was Caligula – and as far as imperial families go, they made the Borgias look like the Brady Bunch. His own family treated him like a bad penny that kept turning up at the worst times, excluding him from public life and keeping him tucked away in a dark corner of the empire’s glittering stage.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Being ignored and considered a harmless invalid may have saved his life. Claudius managed to dodge the deadly purges that came with Tiberius and Caligula’s reigns simply because no one thought he was capable of threatening anything more than a side table. So, when Caligula was assassinated in 41 AD – in a spectacle of conspiracies that could rival a modern-day crime drama – Claudius was the only adult male left in his family. The Praetorian Guard, Rome's version of Special Forces with an attitude, plucked him out of hiding (behind a curtain, no less) and declared him emperor. Claudius, the man who couldn’t even get a public office gig until age 38, was suddenly the ruler of the known world.

Now, you’d think a man in his position would fumble the ball, but Claudius was, surprisingly, a competent administrator. He expanded the imperial bureaucracy, employing freedmen (former slaves) as key players in his government – which probably irked the snobby Roman elite no end. He also turned his hand to civil engineering, building roads, aqueducts, and canals like a Roman Bob the Builder. But his crowning glory came in 43 AD when he decided to invade Britain. Yes, that Britain – foggy, rainy, and stubbornly resistant to Roman charm. Claudius sent four legions to deal with it, and they did, after which he popped over for a victory tour, no doubt looking rather pleased with himself.

Claudius had a personal interest in law, presiding over public trials and issuing daily edicts, as if Roman law was a fun puzzle he couldn’t stop fiddling with. But for all his administrative savvy, Claudius was not exactly the most popular figure among the Roman aristocracy. He was seen as vulnerable and, frankly, a bit of an oddball. This sense of vulnerability made him paranoid, and he wasn’t shy about removing potential threats – which, unfortunately, resulted in a lot of senators getting the boot (and by "boot," I mean a swift execution).

Claudius died  in 54 AD, at the age of 63, leaving behind a mixed legacy. To ancient historians, he was a bumbling fool manipulated by those around him. But modern historians have taken a kinder view, recognizing him as a shrewd, if unorthodox, leader who managed to strengthen Rome’s empire while navigating the treacherous waters of imperial politics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Claudius was a staunch defender of Roman state religion, steadfastly resisting any attempts to undermine its authority. He viewed the spread of Eastern mysticism with suspicion, believing it threatened the traditional beliefs of the Roman people. Instead, he sought to promote the Eleusinian mysteries, ancient religious rites that had been practiced during the Republic.

Claudius also took steps to revitalize Roman religious traditions. He expelled astrologers, who were often associated with foreign cults, and reinstated the practice of Roman soothsaying. He was particularly critical of Druidism, a Celtic religion that clashed with Roman state beliefs.

To strengthen Roman religious practices, Claudius revived old ceremonies and celebrated the Secular Games in 47 AD, a significant religious event. He also expanded the pomerium, the sacred boundary of Rome, a symbolic act with deep religious implications. Claudius even protected the haruspices, diviners who interpreted the will of the gods through animal sacrifices.

In addition, Claudius sought to incorporate foreign religions into the Roman pantheon. He likely Romanized the cult of Attis, a Phrygian deity, adapting its rituals and beliefs to fit within the Roman religious framework.

Claudius is mentioned three times in the New Testament:

Acts 11:28 - In reference to a famine that occurred during his reign

Acts 18:2 - Regarding his expulsion of Jews from Rome

Acts 23:26 - This refers to Claudius Lysias, a different person who was a Roman military officer

Claudius did not directly target Christians, but his actions indirectly affected them, hen he expelled Jews from Rome in around 49 AD, this edict included Christians, as they were considered a sect of Judaism at the time. This expulsion led to the displacement of early Christians like Priscilla and Aquila, who then met Paul. It inadvertently contributed to the spread of Christianity as displaced believers moved to other areas.

POLITICS Claudius was a political survivor, becoming emperor after Caligula’s assassination and navigating a court filled with intrigue. His political reforms included extending Roman citizenship and infrastructure development. His greatest political achievement was the conquest of Britain.

SCANDAL Claudius’ reign was marked by scandal, particularly involving his wives. His third wife, Messalina, was infamous for her infidelity, and his fourth wife, Agrippina, murdered him to ensure her son Nero's rise to power.

MILITARY RECORD Claudius’ most significant military achievement was the conquest of Britain in 43 AD. He dispatched four legions to invade, resulting in several British tribes surrendering and the establishment of Roman control.

Claudius personally oversaw the final stages of the Roman conquest of Britain, a strategic move designed to boost morale among his troops and reinforce the imperial authority of Rome. By leading the invasion, Claudius aimed to gain military glory and enhance his popularity at home.

Key events during Claudius' visit included his participation in the crossing of the River Thames and the capture of Camulodunum, the capital of the Catuvellauni tribe. His presence served as a powerful symbol of Roman might, leading to the surrender of eleven British kings.

To further intimidate the Britons, Claudius brought his personal guard, the Praetorian cohorts, as well as war elephants, an impressive and fearsome sight for the indigenous population.

Claudius' brief visit to Britain allowed him to claim personal credit for the conquest, solidifying his position as emperor. The establishment of the Roman province of Britannia marked a significant milestone in Rome's imperial expansion.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Claudius had a stammer and a limp, conditions that led many to dismiss him as weak or incompetent. Despite this, he managed to become a successful and long-reigning emperor.

His physician, Xenophon of Kos, treated him with diet, exercise, massage, and botanical remedies, which Claudius claimed improved his health significantly.

Suetonius noted that while Claudius was emperor, his health was "excellent," suggesting some improvement in his condition with age. 

HOMES As Emperor, Claudius lived in the Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill in Rome. He would have had access to various imperial villas and residences throughout Italy and the empire., but the palace would have been his primary dwelling.

TRAVEL Claudius traveled to Britain during his reign to oversee the invasion. According to Cassius Dio, Claudius stayed in Britain for only 16 days before returning to Rome, where he celebrated his military victory.

DEATH Claudius was poisoned by his wife, Agrippina, with amanita mushrooms on October 13, 54 AD. This allowed her son Nero to ascend to the throne.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Claudius is famously portrayed in the BBC series I, Claudius, with actor Derek Jacobi playing the lead role. Jacobi himself shares a personal connection, having a birthday on Stammering Day, which resonates with Claudius' own speech impediment.

ACHIEVEMENTS Claudius’ greatest achievements include the expansion of the Roman Empire, particularly the conquest of Britain, his scholarly works, and his reforms that granted more rights to Roman citizens. He survived a politically dangerous environment and left a lasting mark on Roman history.

Source Food For Thought by Ed Pearce