Claudius By: Grace Alcaraz, Tenzin Chimi, and Holly Taylor

Introduction

Born on August 1, 10 B.C in Gaul

Ruled from January 24, 41 to October 13, 54 AD

Family Clan- Julio- Claudian4th Roman emperor

Early and Family LifeHis parents were Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia Minor

Suffered from a serious disease at birth which left him deformed and with a speech problem

Was the family “black sheep”

His uncle was the emperor Tiberius

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengthso Showed unusual respecto Encouraged people to

express their opinionso Hard work led to many

accomplishmentso Surprised many since he

was the black sheep of his family

Weaknesseso Disfigured, awkward,

and clumsyo Awful taste in womeno Rocky relationship with

the Senateo Handled judicial

matters poorly

Effects on Roman EmpireMade major improvements

to Rome’s judicial system.Passed laws protecting sick slaves

Extended citizenship and gave women more liberties and privileges

Preserved Roman culture Extended Rome’s control to North Africa, the Balkan peninsula, and Asia Minor

Political Life • Rose to power after the assassination of the previous emperor, Caligula, his nephew

• As emperor, he undid many of Caligula’s injustices

• He led many successful military campaigns and conquered many lands into the Roman Empire

• Achievements gained him respect and soon made Rome the most powerful empire of all time

Achievements Civil administration saw

detailed improvements in the judiciary

Creation of a cabinet of freedom

Extended the rights of Roman citizenship to many Galic leaders

Enlarged the Senate Port was built at Ostia Grain supply was stream

lined

Achievements Continued Games and public

ceremonies were staged. Old religious traditions revived

Improved Rome’s water supply

Added Mauretania and Thrace to the Roman Empire

Introduced internal reforms, reorganized trade, and extended civic rights to communities outside of Italy

Ruling Etiquette • Claudius ruled the empire well and repaired

most of Caligula’s damage• He believed that the best way to rule was to

treat the people as equals • Abolished all ridiculous laws that Caligula

created such as outrageous taxes and exiles• Showed no favoritism amongst the people and

tried to keep peace in the empire

Love Life After Silius was killed and after the scandal of

Messalina, Claudius decided to marry again in the next year

Last wife was Agrippina, his own nieceAgrippina persuaded Claudius to disown his own

son, Britannicus, so that her son, Nero, would be the next emperor

Agrippina poisoned Claudius with mushrooms, although another dose of poison was taken to finally kill him

Claudius died in Rome in 54 A.D (October 13 54 A.D

Fun Factso Claudius’ full name was Tiberius Claudius

Drusus Nero Germanicus Cesaro He was married 4 timeso He hired a prostitute, Calpurnia, to be his

companion for most of his dayso The word claudication originated with Claudius

due to his paralysis and diseases he dealt with through his life. Claudication- to limp; limping

o He reigned in the time of Christ, though that did not stop his persecution of the earliest Christians