Claudius

Date of Birth: August 1, 10 BC

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: October 13, 54 AD

Biography

Claudius, born Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 41 AD to 54 AD. Born into the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he was initially sidelined due to his perceived physical disabilities and lack of political acumen. However, he rose to power following the assassination of his nephew, Emperor Caligula. Claudius proved to be an effective and efficient ruler, known for his substantial expansion of the Roman Empire, including the conquest of Britain. His reign also saw significant administrative reforms, public works, and judicial changes. Despite his successes, Claudius faced numerous plots against his life, culminating in his death by poisoning, allegedly orchestrated by his wife Agrippina the Younger.

5 Interesting Facts about Claudius

1. Claudius was the first Roman Emperor to be born outside Italy, in Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon, France).

2. He was known for his scholarly interests and wrote several historical works, including a history of the Etruscans and the Carthaginians.

3. Claudius was married four times and was often manipulated by his wives, particularly his last wife Agrippina the Younger.

4. His physical disabilities, which included a limp and slight deafness, led many to underestimate him, which ironically helped him avoid early political purges.

5. Claudius initiated the construction of Rome’s major aqueducts, the Aqua Claudia and the Anio Novus, which significantly improved the city’s water supply.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Claudius

1. “Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.”

2. “I have always been a man of learning and one who loves to study.”

3. “There is no one so thoroughly superstitious as the godless man.”

4. “The suffrages of the people are the best guardians of the public liberty.”

5. “I have taken it upon myself to protect and serve the people of Rome.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a Roman Emperor, Claudius had access to the vast wealth of the Roman Empire. While exact figures are unattainable, his wealth would have been equivalent to several billion dollars in today’s terms.

Children

Claudius had several children: 1. Claudia Antonia – Daughter with his second wife, Aelia Paetina. 2. Claudia Octavia – Daughter with his third wife, Valeria Messalina. She later became the first wife of Emperor Nero. 3. Britannicus – Son with his third wife, Valeria Messalina. He was named in honor of Claudius’s conquest of Britain.