Who was Claudius?
Q: Who was Claudius?
A: Claudius was the fourth Roman emperor, ruling from 24 January 41 AD to his death in 54 AD. His great-uncle was the first emperor, Augustus, and his uncle was the second emperor Tiberius. His nephew was the third emperor, Caligula. His maternal grandfather was Mark Antony.
Q: What kind of disability did Claudius have?
A: Claudius had some kind of disability in speech and walking, which kept him from public office until he was 38 years old.
Q: How did Claudius become Emperor?
A: He was declared Emperor at the insistence of the Praetorian Guard after Caligula's assassination. He was then the last adult male of his family.
Q: What were some accomplishments during Claudius' reign?
A: Despite his lack of experience, Claudius proved a good administrator and a great builder of public works. His reign saw an expansion of the Empire, and the conquest of Roman Britain. He took a personal interest in law and presided at public trials.
Q: How many times did Claudius marry?
A: He married four times but none of them turned out well for him personally or politically.
Q: Who succeeded him as Emperor?
A: His relative and adopted son Nero succeeded him as Emperor after his death and undid much of his good work that he had done while ruling Rome.
