The Ostracized Laughingstock Who Became Roman Emperor

"Claudius was born Tiberius Claudius Drusus on 1 August 10 BCE in Lugdunum in Roman Gaul (modern Lyon, France). He was the youngest surviving child of Nero Claudius Drusus (also known as Drusus the Elder), a popular Roman general and brother of the future emperor Tiberius. His mother, Antonia Minor, was also of high pedigree, being the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia Minor; through his grandmother Octavia, Claudius was also a great-nephew of the first Roman emperor, Augustus."

"Though a member of the imperial Julio-Claudian Dynasty, his rise to power had always seemed unlikely. Indeed, for much of his life, he had been ostracized by his own family due to his disabilities. But after the assassination of his nephew, Caligula, in 41 CE, he was proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard."

"His reign was a relatively prosperous time for the Roman Empire, seeing the construction of new roads and aqueducts, as well as the conquest of Britain. He died in 54 CE - possibly poisoned by his wife - and was succeeded by his adopted son Nero (reign 54-68)."

Claudius (10 BCE–54 CE) was the fourth Roman emperor, reigning from 41 to 54 CE as a member of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. His path to power seemed improbable due to lifelong disabilities including a limp, stutter, and involuntary twitching, which caused his family to ostracize him throughout his early life. His mother, Antonia Minor, belittled him constantly, calling him a monster. Following Caligula's assassination in 41 CE, the Praetorian Guard proclaimed Claudius emperor. His reign proved prosperous for Rome, featuring construction of roads and aqueducts alongside the conquest of Britain. He died in 54 CE, possibly poisoned by his wife, and was succeeded by his adopted son Nero.

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