10 Questions about The Reign of Claudius | History

Answer: Tiberius Claudius Drusus

Claudius was born on 1st August 10 BC, in Lugdunum (now Lyons) in Gaul. The town's shrine to Augustus was dedicated the same day and this was seen as a good omen for the young child. The death of his father the following year led him to adopt the name Germanicus after his brother was adopted by Tiberius.

Fabius Africanus was one of the two consuls for the year 10BCE. Claudius Caudex was a figure from 264BC. It was he who first expelled the Carthaginians from Sicily after crossing the Straits of Messena. Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus was the father of Nero. A member of a high ranking family, his son was later adopted by Claudius and rose to the purple following his death.

Answer: 41CE

The murder of Gaius Caligula led a power vacuum in Rome. The Senate initially talked about removing the Emperors as the only male left in the Julio-Claudian dynasty at that time was the cripple Claudius. The Praetorians, happy with the soft and relaxing life in Rome, decided to promote Claudius. Legend has it they found him cowering behind a curtain and they instantly proclaimed him Emperor.

It is far more likely that following their deliberations he was brought to the Praetorian camp sometime in the following day.

He officially became Emperor in 24/25 Jan 41CE and took the name Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.

Answer: Consul

Claudius was kept in relative seclusion during his life. Both Suetonius and Tacitus comment on how he dribbled, limped and was seen as a simpleton by the royal court. This life, however, allowed him to study, and while he was weak willed he did possess a keen mind.

His rites of passage were handled in a very private manner and his presentation to the Senate at the age of 13 was low-key. This may explain his absence from the junior offices. Once he became Emperor he made up for this by holding the consulship five times.

Answer: Etruscan

The years Claudius spent locked away in the library made him scholastic and he was one of the last people known to be able to read Etruscan. He was also fluent in Greek and Latin. His lack of experience in commanding troops or handling offices were compensated for by his ability to absorb and use knowledge.

Answer: Britain

Claudius was acutely aware that he lacked the necessary military credentials. After disposing of Caligula's assassins he planned a major invasion of Britain. The summer of 43CE saw four legions conquer Britain, marking the first major gaining of territory since Augustus. Claudius himself attended the troops in Britain and partook in a formal triumph when he returned.

He was then satisfied that he was seen as a military leader as well as a civil one.

Answer: Valeria Messalina

Valeria Messalina was a young woman (probably in her early 20s) and was married to Claudius for almost a decade. She bore him Britannicus, who became his heir until Nero replaced him in the ageing Emperor's affections. Messalina is portrayed as a woman who used sex and blackmail to dispose of her many competitors.

This much is probably true, and she was certainly free with her affections. She wielded tremendous influence over her husband. In 47/48CE she participated in a mock marriage to Gaius Silius.

This may well have been a joke at a party, but her enemies (of which she had many) ensured that Claudius learnt of this. Unsurprisingly, he did not see this as very funny and her execution followed shortly. The other three women were all competitors to become Claudius' new wife. Lollia Paula was childless and backed by the freedman Callistus.

She was seen as a good candidate because she did not have children to compete with Britannicus. Aelia Paetina, his previous wife, was promoted by Narcissus and seen as a good prospect because she had already had a daughter with Claudius (proving her fertility).

The last, and successful, competitor was Agrippina the Younger. It would be fair to say that she was Messalina's equal in sexual excess and viciousness. She also enjoyed murder as a way of removing obstacles to her (and Nero's) rise to power.

Answer: The annexation of Britain

Claudius' major achievements mostly seemed to be in the field of hydroponics. While he invaded Britain he did NOT annex it, it is unclear if he was ever considered this an aim. Claudius' public works seemed to be driven by necessity as opposed to for show, and his building and drainage programs were designed to improve life in Rome.

Answer: Imperial Freedmen

Imperial Freedmen had always had a degree of power but under Claudius then gained massive power. This was shown in the discussions about Messalina's replacement. Each of the women had the backing of a freedman who wielded influence over Claudius. The freedmen had tremendous political power which they used to back their own candidates for posts in the Senate and the Praetorians. Especially prominent among them were Narcissus and Pallas.

The Senate suffered during Claudius' reign. The Emperor allowed long-haired Gauls into their ranks and took pleasure in trials of Senators and knights. During his reign around 35 Senators where condemned to death and around 200 knights suffered the same fate. Claudius enjoyed holding court behind closed doors, where he was seen as both cruel and ruthless.

Answer: A mushroom

The story indicates that poison was added to a bowl of mushrooms, but in order to pass the food-taster only one mushroom was poisoned. Claudius, who loved them, ate the largest mushroom, which was the one laced with poison. He did not die immediately and a second dose was administered to hasten his death.

It is most likely that Agrippina was behind the poisoning to further the cause of her son, Nero. She expected to wield power through her son (who eventually had her killed).

Answer: Derek Jacobi

Sir Derek Jacobi portrayed Claudius in this exceptional adaptation. The series, written by Robert Graves, shows the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. The series shows Claudius' keen intellect and is probably an accurate representation of life in ancient Rome. The series also starred John Hurt as Caligula and Patrick Stewart as the villainous Sejanus.
Patrick Stewart is most famous for his portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek. Many English people will also have enjoyed his many stage performances over the years.
John Hurt is probably best known as having a alien burst through his stomach in the 1977 film 'Alien'. He also provided the voice for Aragorn in the animated version of 'Lord of the Rings' (1978).
Ian McKellen has starred in many recent blockbusters including the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and the 'X-Men' films.