Claudius

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

10BC ~ AD54

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was the first roman emperor to be born outside Italy and was born in the region now known as France in 10 BC.

 

His reign lasted from 41 to 54 and only came about after the assassination of Caligula. This was only because he was the last surviving male in his family after the killing of many other roman nobles during the reigns of Tiberius and Caligula. He reportedly had a form of disability and was never expected to become emperor.

During his reign Britain was conquered which saw an expansion of the empire and he took a genuine interest in law and order, even with this behind him other nobility saw his as a vulnerable ruler.

His vulnerability was influenced by his disability which was one thought of as polio but has more recently been revised and is considered to have been cerebral palsy. He was described as both generous and quick to anger, overly trusting but also bloodthirsty with a love of gladiatorial combat.

He is known as the first emperor who used bribery to retain his army’s loyalty and helped increase the number of roman citizens after granting blanket citizenship to new roman colonies. His death in 54 is said to have been instigated by his final wife Agrippina and was in the form of poisoning.


 
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