History Focus
October 13

Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54.

Murdered October 13, 54 AD. Claudius is depicted by ancient historians as being ignorant and malicious. Today, Claudius I is considered one of Rome's best rulers.

Claudius was born Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus in what is now Lyon, France. He was Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54. Claudius held no important public office until the age of 47. It was then that he became consul during the reign of his nephew, Emperor Caligula. After the assassination of Caligula, he was proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard. He was the first emperor chosen by the army.

Prior to becoming emperor he was generally out of the public eye. Poor health, ugliness, and a lack of social grace kept his public appearances limited. He spent a large amount of time in studying. His studies prepared him with unique abilities and made him a great historian and an able and enlightened ruler. As Emperor he was quite popular and appreciated by the public. Claudius I is considered one of Rome's best rulers. Mauretania was made a Roman province; the conquest of Britain was begun; and the Roman armies fought successfully against the Germans. He created a civil service system, built aqueducts, drained marshes around Rome, and built a nearby harbor. His administration brought a decline in the power of the nobility. He granted responsibility and wealth to the personal followers of the emperor, including former slaves.

In 48 Claudius ordered the execution of his wife Messalina. His wife Messalina, had practiced cruelties and extortions without restraint. She indicated her contempt for Claudius by publicly staging a mock marriage with her lover. After her death, Claudius married for the fourth time. This wife was his niece, Agrippina the Younger. Agrippina convinced Claudius to deprive his son by Messalina, Britannicus, of his heritage. Instead he adopted Agrippina's son by a former marriage, Nero. Claudius died on October 13, 54 AD. He was poisoned shortly after the adoption of Nero. It is generally believed that he died after consuming poisoned mushrooms that were served to him by Agrippina. At his death Nero became emperor of Rome.

Sources: On This Day | Microsoft(R) Encarta(R)