Tiberius Claudius Nero is a member of the Julius-Claudius dynasty and the fourth Roman emperor. He was born in Lugdunum (today Lyon) in the marriage of Drusus the Elder, brother of Emperor Tiberius and Antonia the Younger, daughter of Octavia and Mark Antony.
From the earliest days, Claudius was isolated from society due to his physical shortcomings, lameness and stuttering. Some sources point out that even Emperor Augustus himself forbade him to appear in public. All this reflected on his relationship with his mother, who was very cold to him and considered him a monster, and will leave great consequences on his behavior in adulthood. Thus Claudius was often described as a gambler, a womanizer and an alcoholic, while on the other hand he was a passionate lover of history and literature and also wrote his biography.
Claudius comes to the imperial throne in 40 AD. Kr. at the time of the riots that occurred after the death of Emperor Caligula. According to tradition, he was appointed quite by chance by soldiers at the time of the election of the new emperor, which was contrary to the wishes of the Senate, which advocated the return of the Republic. The beginning of his reign was marked by violent revenge and confrontations with Caligula's assassins and all those who were or could be a threat to the new emperor. According to ancient allegations, 35 senators and 300 knights were executed during Claudius 'reign, and the culmination of Claudius' terror was the suppression of the revolt led by Lucius Aruncius Camille Scribonian, governor of the province of Dalmatia.
n addition to state problems, Claudia was also concerned about his wives, especially Valerius Messalin, his third wife with whom he had a British son, heir to the throne. Messalina was known for using her position and power to get rid of any potential adversary, but also for numerous love affairs. So in 48, although she was still married to Claudius, she married one of her lovers. That is why Claudius had them arrested and executed. Yet his reign was marked by influential women and liberators who had a great influence on him. Claudia, on the other hand, was very interested in legal and financial affairs and in holding games, so he was often the patron of brutal gladiatorial fights. In military terms, its greatest significance is the successful completion of the campaign against Britain, which began in Caligula.
Claudius was not a public favorite at first and tried in every way to improve his self-image. Thus he wanted to gain the favor of the citizens by various construction ventures, primarily in Rome. Nevertheless, military campaigns and the expansion of the Empire's borders secured the favor of the citizens, and during his reign five new territories were annexed to the Roman Empire - Britain, Thrace, Lycia, Mauritania and Noricum, and military campaigns in Armenia and the Rhine were successful.
After his third failed marriage, despite swearing that it was his last marriage, the 58-year-old emperor marries his niece Agrippina the Younger. Messalina and Agrippina the Younger did not differ significantly in their desire for power.
Agrippina's intention was to bring her son from a previous marriage to the throne. She arranged for Claudius to adopt the young man, to give him an advantage over his own son, and to proclaim him heir to the throne. In order for this young man, known as Nero, to come to the throne, it was only necessary for Claudius to die.
For this purpose, Agrippina hired the poisoner Locust, who prepared the poison, and Claudius' taster sprayed the poison on a mushroom that Claudius, as a gourmand, loved to eat. Claudius died of poisoning on October 13, 54, and the infamous Nero came to the throne.
A large farewell ceremony was held for him, and the ashes were laid in the mausoleum of Augustus. Although his successor Emperor Nero criticized Claudius and repealed many of his decisions and laws, he and the Senate very soon after ascending the throne deified Claudius.
