Claudius
Claudius was a Roman Emperor who ruled from January 24, 41 CE, after the assassination of his nephew, Caligula. He was the son of Drusus and Antonia, and is believed to have suffered from a disability that affected his mobility and speech, potentially linked to cerebral palsy. Despite these challenges, Claudius made significant contributions to the Roman Empire, including the expansion of its territories into Britain and the Mediterranean. He is credited with important infrastructure projects like the Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus aqueducts, as well as the harbor known as Portus. His reign is marked by a gradual reduction of the Senate's powers, which helped solidify his authority. Claudius was married four times, with notable events including the execution of his third wife, Messallina, for treason, and the controversial marriage to his niece, Agrippina the Younger, who is speculated to have played a role in his death. Claudius's legacy significantly shaped the future of the Roman Empire, influencing its governance for centuries to come.
Claudius
Related civilization: Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Roman emperor
Life
Claudius was the son of Drusus (brother of the emperor Tiberius) and Antonia (daughter of Octavia and Marc Antony). Claudius suffered from a disability that caused him to walk with a limp, twitch his head, and stammer when he spoke, possibly cerebral palsy. During his life, he wrote histories of the Etruscans and the Carthaginians, and his own autobiography. No examples of his work have been found.


Claudius became emperor of Rome on January 24, 41 c.e., following the assassination of his nephew Caligula. During Claudius’s reign, he expanded the borders of Rome to include regions of Britain and the Mediterranean. In Rome, he built the Aqua Claudia and the Anio Novus aqueducts, and the ill-fated harbor Portus. He gradually eliminated powers held by the Roman senate in order to secure his position.
Claudius was married four times; he divorced his first two wives. The young Valeria Messallina was his third wife; in 48 c.e., she was charged with treason and executed. His fourth wife was his niece Agrippina the Younger; she is rumored to have caused his death by feeding him poisoned mushrooms.
Influence
Through expansion of territory and reduction of senate powers, Claudius shaped a future that would see the emperors of Rome flourish for another four hundred years.
Bibliography
Graves, Robert. I, Claudius. New York: Random House, 1934.
Scarre, Chris. Chronicle of the Roman Emperors. London: Thames and Hudson, 1995.