Claudius: Difference between revisions

'''Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus'''{{efn|Sometimes referred to as '''Claudius I''', in reference to the later emperor [[Claudius Gothicus]] (Claudius II).}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|l|ɔː|d|i|ə|s}}; {{IPA-|la|tɪˈbɛriʊs ˈklau̯diʊs ˈkae̯sar au̯ˈɡʊstʊs gɛrˈmaːnɪkʊs|lang}}; 1 August {{eras|10|BC}} – 13 October {{eras|AD|54}}) was a [[Roman emperor]], ruling from {{eras|AD|41}} to 54. A member of the [[Julio-Claudian dynasty]], Claudius was born to [[Nero Claudius Drusus|Drusus]] and [[Antonia Minor]] at [[Lugdunum]] in [[Roman Gaul]], where his father was stationed as a military legate. He was the first Roman emperor to be born outside [[Roman Italy|Italy]].

As he had a limp and slight deafness due to sicknessan atillness ahe youngsuffered agewhen young, he was ostracizedostracised by his family and was excluded from public office until his [[consulship]] (which was shared with his nephew, [[Caligula]], in 37). Claudius's infirmity probably saved him from the fate of many other nobles during the purges throughout the reigns of [[Tiberius]] and Caligula, as potential enemies did not see him as a serious threat. His survival led to his being declared emperor by the [[Praetorian Guard]] after Caligula's assassination, at which point he was the last adult male of his family.

Claudius was born on 1 August 10 BC at [[Lugdunum]] (modern [[Lyon, France|Lyon]], [[France]]). He had two older siblings, [[Germanicus]] and [[Livilla]]. His mother, [[Antonia Minor]], may have had two other children who died young. Claudius's maternal grandparents were [[Mark Antony]] and [[Octavia Minor]], [[Augustus]]'s sister, and he was therefore the great-great-grandnephew of [[Julius Caesar|Gaius Julius Caesar]]. His paternal grandparents were [[Livia]], Augustus's third wife, and [[Tiberius Claudius Nero (father of Tiberius Caesar)|Tiberius Claudius Nero]]. During his reign, Claudius revived the rumorrumour that his father [[Nero Claudius Drusus]] was actually the illegitimate son of Augustus, to give the appearance that Augustus was Claudius's paternal grandfather.

When Claudius returned to the narrative later in life, he skipped over the wars of the [[Second Triumvirate]] altogether; but the damage was done, and his family pushed him into the background. When the [[Triumphal arch|Arch]] of [[Pavia]] was erected to honorhonour the Imperial clan in AD 8, Claudius's name (now Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus after his elevation to ''[[pater familias]]'' of the Claudii Nerones on the adoption of his brother) was inscribed on the edge, past the deceased princes, [[Gaius Caesar|Gaius]] and [[Lucius Caesar|Lucius]], and Germanicus's children. There is some speculation that the inscription was added by Claudius himself decades later, and that he originally did not appear at all.{{sfn|Stuart}}

The Senate met and debated a change of government, but this devolved into an argument over which of them would be the new ''princeps''. When they heard of the Praetorians' claim, they demanded that Claudius be delivered to them for approval, but he refused, sensing the danger that would come with complying. Some historians, particularly [[Josephus]],{{sfn|Josephus|loc=''Ant. Iud.'' XIX}} claim that Claudius was directed in his actions by the [[Iudaea Province|Judaean]] King [[Herod Agrippa]]. However, an earlier version of events by the same ancient author downplays Agrippa's role<ref>[[Josephus]] ''[[Bellum Judaicum]]'' [[s:The War of the Jews/Book II|II]], 204–233.</ref> so it remains uncertain. Eventually the Senate was forced to give in. In return, Claudius granted a general amnesty, although he executed a few junior officers involved in the conspiracy.{{sfn|Suetonius|loc=Claudius 11}} The actual assassins, including Cassius Chaerea and Julius Lupus, the murderer of Caligula's wife and daughter, were put to death to ensure Claudius's own safety and as a future deterrent.{{sfn|Josephus|loc=''Ant. Iud.'' XIX, 268–269}}{{sfn|Cassius Dio|loc=50 3, 4}}

Claudius embarked on many public works throughout his reign, both in the capital and in the provinces. He built or finished two [[Aqueduct (Roman)|aqueducts]], the [[Aqua Claudia]], begun by Caligula, and the [[Aqua Anio Novus]].<ref>Gaius TheseTranquillus enteredSuetonius, theGraves, cityR., in& 52Grant, andM. met(2006). at''The theTwelve [[PortaCaesars'' Maggiore]](p. He also restored a third, the [[Aqua190). Virgo]]Penguin.

The last part of Claudius's plan to avoid famine was to increase the amount of arable land in Italy. This was to be achieved by draining the [[Fucine lake]], also making the nearby river navigable year-round.{{sfn|Tacitus|loc=XII, 57}}<ref>Gaius Tranquillus Suetonius, Graves, R., & Grant, M. (2006). ''The Twelve Caesars'' (p. 190). Penguin.</ref> A serious famine is mentioned in the [[book of Acts]] as taking place during Claudius' reign, and had been propheciedprophesied by a Christian called [[Agabus]] while visiting [[Antioch]].<ref>Acts 11:28 KJV https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page%3AKJV_1772_Oxford_Edition%2C_vol._2.djvu/370</ref>

Claudius's extant works present a different view, painting a picture of an intelligent, scholarly, well-read, and conscientious administrator with an eye to detail and justice. Thus, Claudius becomes an enigma. Since the discovery of his "Letter to the Alexandrians", much work has been done to rehabilitate Claudius and determine the truth.{{cncitation needed|date=April 2024}}

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