Transcript Claudius
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- Claudian
4th Roman emperor
Early and Family Life
His 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
Strengths
Weaknesses
o Showed unusual respect
o Encouraged people to
express their opinions
o Hard work led to many
accomplishments
o Surprised many since he
was the black sheep of
his family
o Disfigured, awkward,
and clumsy
o Awful taste in women
o Rocky relationship with
the Senate
o Handled judicial
matters poorly
Effects on Roman Empire
Made 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 niece
Agrippina 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 Facts
o Claudius’ full name was Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero
Germanicus Cesar
o He was married 4 times
o He hired a prostitute, Calpurnia, to be his companion for
most of his days
o 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