The Roman Emperors: Claudius
- Created by: BethanyMLawson
- Created on: 25-10-17 15:41
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Early Life and Accession of Claudius:
- Born in Gaul on the1st August 10 BC
- Father was Drusus (brother to Tiberius)
- Father on campaign on German Border when he was born
- Mother was Antonia
- 2 Siblings (Germaincus and Livilla)
- Father (Drusus) died a year after his birth
- Raised by his mother Antonia
- Disabled (weakness in his legs and speech impediment)
- Was kept in the background due to his disability
- Elder brother Germanicus took the political spotlight
- Claudius devoted himself instead to his studies (one of his tutors was Livy)
- Interested in history (began his own History of Rome)
- Supposedly used his disability to his advantage (stayed out of the bitter rivalry within the imperial family and therefore kept himself alive)
- Was not considerded a threat by the rest of the imperial family due to his disability
- Was not really part of the Succession Crisis after the death of his uncle, Tiberius
- Was not considered a successor to his young nephew Gaius (Caligula)
- Did hold some offices (e.g. - he shared the consulship with Gaius), thgough these were more honourific than actual positions of power
- Paretorian guard chose to elevate Claudius after the assassination of Gaius as he would make the perfect 'puppet ruler'
SOURCES ON CLAUDIUS' ACCESSION: SUETONIUS + CASSIUS DIO = LARGELY POSITIVE
Early Reign
- Strong start as princeps/emperor
- Naturally intelligent and sought the advice of close friends (e.g. - Herod Agrippa)
Importance of Herod Agrippa
- Born in same year as Claudius (10 BC)
- Grandson of Herod the Great
- Father was killed
- Herod sent to Rome for protection
- Became long-standing friend/ally of Julio-Claudian family
- Patronised by Tiberius
- Good friend of Claudius from childhood
- Encouraged him to take elevated status of emperor
- Remained a close friend after Claudius' accession
- Rewarded by Claudius with control of Judaea and Samaria
SOURCES ON HEROD AGRIPPA: ACTS CHAPTER 12 AND WRITINGS OF JOSEPHUS
Gaining Support
- Once Claudius took power he attempted to gain support from different areas of Roman society
Senate + Equestrians (Upper Classes)
- Gave more respect to senate
- Increased status of senate
- Ended the treason trials
- Did not execute sdenbators involved in Gaius's assassination (showing greater clemency than Augustus)
- Political exiles allowed to return
- Did not prosecute those calling for the return of the Republic
- Attempts to make government more senate-based
Praetorians + Army (The Military)
- Praetorian Guards given a gifted of 15,000 sesterces each (given every year)
- Began campaigns to expand empire to Mauretania and Britain (which not even Caesar managed)
- Promoted effective generals in order to boost army morale
Plebians (Easier to plaese but still 80% of population)
- Put on gladatorial games and other shows
- Celebrated Secdular Games early (only 47 years since previous one held by Augustus/meant to be every 110 years)
- Held a triumph for successes achieved in Britain
- Claudius did not give these groups everything that they wanted, but he did enough to seem generous whilst still remaining rational.
Successes of Claudius:
- Increased role of civil service in the administration of Rome
- Took direct control of Rome's finances…
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