Claudius
10 B.C.-54 A.D.
Claudius is one of the more bizarre
figures in Roman Imperial history. Because he was born with a variety of
minor birth defects, he was considered a fool and kept out of public life
until his insane nephew, Caligula, became emperor and appointed him consul
as a joke. Before that he had spent his life as a historian. When Caligula
was assassinated in 41 A.D., Claudius was the only member of the imperial
family still alive. The Praetorian guard, interested in keeping their job
as the Emperor's body guard, declared Claudius emperor and forced the Senate
to do the same. Claudius ruled for thirteen years, and on the whole his
administration was a good one, though full of bloody executions and treacherous
wives.
Student Research:
Student Creative Writing:
Ancient Source: Suetonius' Lives
of the Twelve Caesars (Vita Divi Claudii)
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