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AHR Julio Claudian Emperors and the Breakdown of the Late Republic > 1.4 Claudius AD 41-54 > Flashcards

1.4 Claudius AD 41-54 Flashcards

1
Q

What event on 24 January 41 established assassination as a viable political tool?

A

The murder of Gaius

This event also caused a constitutional crisis due to the princeps’ death without an heir.

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2
Q

Which key sources provide information about Claudius’ accession?

A

Suetonius, Dio, and Josephus

These sources provide differing accounts of the events surrounding Claudius’ rise to power.

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3
Q

How did Suetonius describe Claudius’ accession?

A

‘An extraordinary accident’

This highlights Claudius’ lack of active involvement in the initial stages of his accession.

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4
Q

Where was Claudius found after Gaius’ assassination?

A

Hiding

The Praetorian Guard discovered him, which was significant for his subsequent rise to power.

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5
Q

What did Claudius promise the Praetorian Guard to secure their loyalty?

A

15,000 sesterces

This made him the first of the Caesars to purchase the loyalty of his troops.

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6
Q

What did Claudian coinage commemorate?

A

Claudius’ accession and reliance on military loyalty

The coinage depicted the Praetorians as ‘being received’ by Claudius.

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7
Q

What was the Senate’s position following Gaius’ assassination?

A

A spent force

The military effectively settled the matter of succession while the Senate was indecisive.

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8
Q

What differing views did Dio record regarding the succession after Gaius’ assassination?

A

Return to the Republic or continuation of the principate

Various factions suggested their own candidates, highlighting the lack of unity among the senators.

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9
Q

What did Josephus say about the Senate’s ability to return to power?

A

‘A return to senatorial government was totally unrealistic’

This reflects the influence of the military and the support for the principate from the soldiery and plebs.

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10
Q

How long did it take for Claudius to be established as princeps?

A

Two days

This period was marked by uncertainty regarding the new governance.

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11
Q

What action did Claudius take regarding the records of a new constitution?

A

Obliterated them

This was done to convey his avoidance of tyrannical attitudes.

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12
Q

What was Claudius’ approach to the imperial cult in his letter to the Alexandrians?

A

Refused to be acknowledged as a god

This was a strategy to reinforce his parity with the Senate despite the circumstances of his accession.

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13
Q

True or False: Claudius’ military backing improved his relationship with the Senate.

A

False

His military support ultimately damaged his relationship with the Senate.

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: Claudius attempted to present himself as returning to the model of _______.

A

Augustus

This was reflected in his policies and attitudes during his reign.

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15
Q

What event in 43 is linked with the revolt of Camillus Scribonianus?

A

The campaign against Britain

The revolt occurred after the execution of Gaius Appius Silanus.

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16
Q

Who encouraged Camillus Scribonianus to turn his troops against Claudius?

A

Vinicianus

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17
Q

How long did the revolt led by Camillus last?

A

No more than five days

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18
Q

What was the immediate effect of the revolt on Claudius?

A

Reduced to a state of great terror

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19
Q

What titles did Claudius bestow on the Seventh and Eleventh Legions?

A
  • Claudian
  • Loyal
  • Patriotic
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20
Q

What did Claudius seek from a quick campaign?

A

Plunder and glory

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21
Q

When was the last significant campaign before Claudius’ campaign against Britain?

A

In Germany from 12-9 BC

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22
Q

Who were Claudius’ notable relatives that helped secure army loyalty?

A
  • Drusus
  • Germanicus
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23
Q

Who commanded the Roman forces during the campaign in Britain?

A

Aulus Plautius

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24
Q

What tribe did the campaign primarily target?

A

The anti-Roman Catavellauni

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25
Q

What was the name of the capital that Claudius captured in Britain?

A

Camulodunum

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26
Q

How did Claudius achieve military glory in Britain?

A

By crossing the Thames and defeating the enemy

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27
Q

What title did the Senate grant Claudius after the campaign?

A

‘Britannicus’

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28
Q

When did Claudius celebrate his triumph in Rome?

A

In 44

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29
Q

How long might Claudius have actually spent in Britain during the campaign?

A

As little as sixteen days

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30
Q

What significant military outcome occurred in 50 during the campaign?

A

Capture of Caratacus

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31
Q

What did Suetonius describe the campaign as?

A

‘Of no great importance’

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32
Q

What did coins minted between 46 and 50 commemorate?

A

The invasion and Claudius’ triumphal arch

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33
Q

What archaic ceremony did Claudius take advantage of in 49?

A

The extension of the pomerium

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34
Q

True or False: The British invasion was seen as a failure for Claudius.

A

False

35
Q

In what year did Claudius’ campaign against Britain take place?

A

43

36
Q

What was a key criticism of Claudius regarding his reign?

A

His actions were dictated by his wives and freedmen rather than his own judgement.

Suetonius (Claudius 25) states that Claudius practically always obeyed their whims.

37
Q

Who were the three pre-eminent freedmen associated with Claudius?

A
  • Callistus, in charge of petitions
  • Narcissus, Chief Secretary, in charge of correspondence
  • Pallas, treasurer and chief accountant

Their roles were significant within the imperial secretariat.

38
Q

True or False: The Senate was supportive of the freedmen during Claudius’ reign.

A

False

Senatorial sources often vilified the freedmen and resented their wealth and influence.

39
Q

What administrative role did Claudius’ freedmen fulfill?

A

They acted as an imperial secretariat, effectively functioning as a civil service.

Claudius institutionalized this bureaucratic body.

40
Q

What were some complaints about the freedmen according to Dio?

A

They were accused of ‘peddling’ citizenships, military commands, and various government positions.

This contributed to the resentment against their political influence.

41
Q

Fill in the blank: Claudius’ first two marriages produced little of political significance, except for the birth of _______.

A

Claudia Antonia

42
Q

What was the significance of Claudius’ third marriage to Valeria Messalina?

A

It was marked by humiliation and discord for Claudius and her name became synonymous with sexual excess.

Her affairs were widely criticized in sources like Suetonius and Tacitus.

43
Q

Who suggested the replacement for Messalina after her execution?

A

Each freedman suggested their own choice, with Pallas’ candidate being Agrippina the Younger.

This selection caused a rift in Claudius’ household.

44
Q

What was Agrippina the Younger’s key influence during Claudius’ reign?

A

The promotion of her son, Nero, ahead of Claudius’ own son, Britannicus.

Tacitus notes this precedence in the court.

45
Q

What indication did Claudius give regarding Agrippina in 54 AD?

A

He began to hint that he was growing weary of her activities.

This suggests tension within their relationship.

46
Q

True or False: Agrippina was alleged to have poisoned Claudius.

A

True

Both Tacitus and Suetonius suggest her involvement in his downfall.

47
Q

What was the relationship between Claudius and his first two wives?

A

Their marriages were transient and produced little political significance.

This reflects the volatile nature of political marriages in the principate.

48
Q

What major transition occurred with the adoption of Nero?

A

Claudius changed his name to reflect his entry into the Claudian family.

This act indicated the significant influence Agrippina had at court.

49
Q

What was the Senate’s relationship with the freedmen according to Josephus?

A

The plebs and provincials favored a sole princeps as a curb to the rapacity of the Senate.

This highlights the perception of the Senate’s greed.

50
Q

What did Tacitus record about Messalina’s affair with Gaius Silius?

A

It culminated in their bigamous ‘marriage’ while Claudius was away.

This was seen as an attempted usurpation of imperial power.

51
Q

What characterized Claudius’ principate?

A

A distinct focus on administration and infrastructure, and an understanding of traditionalism

Claudius’ reign is noted for practical governance rather than cultural pursuits.

52
Q

What was the food supply situation upon Claudius’ accession?

A

Only seven or eight days’ food supply remaining

This urgency was due to the excesses of Gaius, which nearly bankrupted Rome.

53
Q

How much money did Gaius squander, impacting Rome’s finances?

A

2,700 million sesterces within a year

This financial mismanagement left Rome in a precarious position.

54
Q

What was Claudius’ primary concern regarding grain supply?

A

To secure and maintain the grain supply

This was reflected in a series of coins issued during his reign.

55
Q

What infrastructural project did Claudius develop to support urban life?

A

The harbour at Ostia

This project was vital for improving the grain supply and urban infrastructure.

56
Q

What was the significance of Claudius appointing an imperial freedman?

A

To administer the harbour directly through his de facto civil service

This highlights Claudius’ hands-on approach to infrastructure management.

57
Q

Which aqueducts did Claudius complete, and what was their impact?

A

Anio Novus and Aqua Claudia; they almost doubled Rome’s water supply

This development ensured Rome’s water security for the future.

58
Q

How did Claudius’ building programme compare to Augustus’?

A

More practical and effective, addressing immediate needs

Augustus’ programme was more cultural and ‘spiritual’.

59
Q

What was the outcome of Claudius’ development of the Fucine Lake area?

A

Carelessly completed, yet intended to secure food supplies

Pliny the Elder viewed the scale of the works positively despite Tacitus’ criticism.

60
Q

What was Claudius’ involvement in the legal system?

A

He took a keen personal interest and frequently judged cases himself

This led to criticisms of his unpredictability and ‘tyrannical zeal’.

61
Q

What position did Claudius hold that had lapsed for thirty-four years?

A

Censor

This role was significant for demonstrating the welfare of the Empire.

62
Q

What was notable about Claudius’ lustrum registration in 48?

A

5,984,072 citizens were registered, an increase from Augustus’ 4,937,000

This reflects Claudius’ concern for stability and progress.

63
Q

What proposal did Claudius make regarding the Senate?

A

To admit Gauls into the Senate

This aimed to introduce new blood and make the Senate more representative.

64
Q

True or False: Claudius’ proposal to admit Gauls healed the rift with the Senate.

A

False

While it introduced new members, it did not resolve underlying tensions.

65
Q

What was the overall relationship between the Senate and Claudius?

A

The Senate had a poor relationship with Claudius, but there is little evidence of formal opposition.

66
Q

What efforts did Claudius make to improve his relationship with the Senate?

A

Claudius made efforts to engage with the Senate, but his relationship with them was never easy.

67
Q

Which class of Roman society did Claudius seem to enjoy greater success with?

A

Claudius enjoyed greater success with the plebs and the army.

68
Q

What privileges were extended to the equestrians under Claudius?

A

The equestrians were granted the right of admission to the imperial presence, indicated by a golden ring.

69
Q

What significant event regarding the equestrians occurred during Claudius’ reign?

A

It is alleged that 300 equestrians were executed during Claudius’ reign.

70
Q

What measures did Claudius implement that were popular among the plebs?

A

Securing grain and water supplies were popular measures implemented by Claudius.

71
Q

How did Claudius demonstrate his relationship with the plebs?

A

Claudius lavished largesse and entertainment upon the plebs.

72
Q

What did Dio highlight about Claudius’ governance?

A

Dio highlighted Claudius’ eye for detail and concern for the city’s administration.

73
Q

What was the public reaction to the rumor of Claudius’ death?

A

There was public dismay when it was rumored that Claudius had been killed on the Ostia road.

74
Q

How did Claudius embody the role of princeps?

A

Claudius effectively embodied the role of princeps as the pater familias to the entire Roman people.

75
Q

True or False: Claudius’ relationship with the Senate was characterized by formal opposition.

A

False

76
Q

What date is Claudius’ death recorded?

A

13 October 54

Claudius’ death is noted as significant in the context of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

77
Q

What dynasty is associated with Claudius’ death?

A

Julio-Claudian

The Julio-Claudian dynasty is the first imperial dynasty of Rome.

78
Q

Which historians assign a key role to Agrippina in Claudius’ death?

A

Suetonius and Tacitus

Both historians are known for their works on Roman history and the lives of emperors.

79
Q

What role did Agrippina play in the events surrounding Claudius’ death?

A

Stage-managing the situation to allow for Nero’s supremacy

This suggests that Agrippina was instrumental in political maneuvering following Claudius’ death.

80
Q

How is Claudius’ death described in terms of its significance?

A

Symbolic of the vicissitudes that blighted the Julio-Claudian dynasty

‘Vicissitudes’ refers to the changes and fluctuations that affected the dynasty’s stability.

81
Q

What does the end of Claudius’ reign highlight about historical sources?

A

The bias of our sources

This requires caution in how we interpret historical events and figures.

82
Q

True or False: Claudius’ reign is considered unproblematic in historical accounts.

A

False

The reign is noted for its challenges, reflecting in the interpretation of sources.

83
Q

Fill in the blank: Claudius’ death drew the curtain on a reign that highlights the _______.

A

bias of our sources

AHR Julio Claudian Emperors and the Breakdown of the Late Republic (9 decks)

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