1.4 Claudius AD 41-54 Flashcards
What event on 24 January 41 established assassination as a viable political tool?
The murder of Gaius
This event also caused a constitutional crisis due to the princeps’ death without an heir.
Which key sources provide information about Claudius’ accession?
Suetonius, Dio, and Josephus
These sources provide differing accounts of the events surrounding Claudius’ rise to power.
How did Suetonius describe Claudius’ accession?
‘An extraordinary accident’
This highlights Claudius’ lack of active involvement in the initial stages of his accession.
Where was Claudius found after Gaius’ assassination?
Hiding
The Praetorian Guard discovered him, which was significant for his subsequent rise to power.
What did Claudius promise the Praetorian Guard to secure their loyalty?
15,000 sesterces
This made him the first of the Caesars to purchase the loyalty of his troops.
What did Claudian coinage commemorate?
Claudius’ accession and reliance on military loyalty
The coinage depicted the Praetorians as ‘being received’ by Claudius.
What was the Senate’s position following Gaius’ assassination?
A spent force
The military effectively settled the matter of succession while the Senate was indecisive.
What differing views did Dio record regarding the succession after Gaius’ assassination?
Return to the Republic or continuation of the principate
Various factions suggested their own candidates, highlighting the lack of unity among the senators.
What did Josephus say about the Senate’s ability to return to power?
‘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.
How long did it take for Claudius to be established as princeps?
Two days
This period was marked by uncertainty regarding the new governance.
What action did Claudius take regarding the records of a new constitution?
Obliterated them
This was done to convey his avoidance of tyrannical attitudes.
What was Claudius’ approach to the imperial cult in his letter to the Alexandrians?
Refused to be acknowledged as a god
This was a strategy to reinforce his parity with the Senate despite the circumstances of his accession.
True or False: Claudius’ military backing improved his relationship with the Senate.
False
His military support ultimately damaged his relationship with the Senate.
Fill in the blank: Claudius attempted to present himself as returning to the model of _______.
Augustus
This was reflected in his policies and attitudes during his reign.
What event in 43 is linked with the revolt of Camillus Scribonianus?
The campaign against Britain
The revolt occurred after the execution of Gaius Appius Silanus.
Who encouraged Camillus Scribonianus to turn his troops against Claudius?
Vinicianus
How long did the revolt led by Camillus last?
No more than five days
What was the immediate effect of the revolt on Claudius?
Reduced to a state of great terror
What titles did Claudius bestow on the Seventh and Eleventh Legions?
- Claudian
- Loyal
- Patriotic
What did Claudius seek from a quick campaign?
Plunder and glory
When was the last significant campaign before Claudius’ campaign against Britain?
In Germany from 12-9 BC
Who were Claudius’ notable relatives that helped secure army loyalty?
- Drusus
- Germanicus
Who commanded the Roman forces during the campaign in Britain?
Aulus Plautius
What tribe did the campaign primarily target?
The anti-Roman Catavellauni
What was the name of the capital that Claudius captured in Britain?
Camulodunum
How did Claudius achieve military glory in Britain?
By crossing the Thames and defeating the enemy
What title did the Senate grant Claudius after the campaign?
‘Britannicus’
When did Claudius celebrate his triumph in Rome?
In 44
How long might Claudius have actually spent in Britain during the campaign?
As little as sixteen days
What significant military outcome occurred in 50 during the campaign?
Capture of Caratacus
What did Suetonius describe the campaign as?
‘Of no great importance’
What did coins minted between 46 and 50 commemorate?
The invasion and Claudius’ triumphal arch
What archaic ceremony did Claudius take advantage of in 49?
The extension of the pomerium
True or False: The British invasion was seen as a failure for Claudius.
False
In what year did Claudius’ campaign against Britain take place?
43
What was a key criticism of Claudius regarding his reign?
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.
Who were the three pre-eminent freedmen associated with Claudius?
- 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.
True or False: The Senate was supportive of the freedmen during Claudius’ reign.
False
Senatorial sources often vilified the freedmen and resented their wealth and influence.
What administrative role did Claudius’ freedmen fulfill?
They acted as an imperial secretariat, effectively functioning as a civil service.
Claudius institutionalized this bureaucratic body.
What were some complaints about the freedmen according to Dio?
They were accused of ‘peddling’ citizenships, military commands, and various government positions.
This contributed to the resentment against their political influence.
Fill in the blank: Claudius’ first two marriages produced little of political significance, except for the birth of _______.
Claudia Antonia
What was the significance of Claudius’ third marriage to Valeria Messalina?
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.
Who suggested the replacement for Messalina after her execution?
Each freedman suggested their own choice, with Pallas’ candidate being Agrippina the Younger.
This selection caused a rift in Claudius’ household.
What was Agrippina the Younger’s key influence during Claudius’ reign?
The promotion of her son, Nero, ahead of Claudius’ own son, Britannicus.
Tacitus notes this precedence in the court.
What indication did Claudius give regarding Agrippina in 54 AD?
He began to hint that he was growing weary of her activities.
This suggests tension within their relationship.
True or False: Agrippina was alleged to have poisoned Claudius.
True
Both Tacitus and Suetonius suggest her involvement in his downfall.
What was the relationship between Claudius and his first two wives?
Their marriages were transient and produced little political significance.
This reflects the volatile nature of political marriages in the principate.
What major transition occurred with the adoption of Nero?
Claudius changed his name to reflect his entry into the Claudian family.
This act indicated the significant influence Agrippina had at court.
What was the Senate’s relationship with the freedmen according to Josephus?
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.
What did Tacitus record about Messalina’s affair with Gaius Silius?
It culminated in their bigamous ‘marriage’ while Claudius was away.
This was seen as an attempted usurpation of imperial power.
What characterized Claudius’ principate?
A distinct focus on administration and infrastructure, and an understanding of traditionalism
Claudius’ reign is noted for practical governance rather than cultural pursuits.
What was the food supply situation upon Claudius’ accession?
Only seven or eight days’ food supply remaining
This urgency was due to the excesses of Gaius, which nearly bankrupted Rome.
How much money did Gaius squander, impacting Rome’s finances?
2,700 million sesterces within a year
This financial mismanagement left Rome in a precarious position.
What was Claudius’ primary concern regarding grain supply?
To secure and maintain the grain supply
This was reflected in a series of coins issued during his reign.
What infrastructural project did Claudius develop to support urban life?
The harbour at Ostia
This project was vital for improving the grain supply and urban infrastructure.
What was the significance of Claudius appointing an imperial freedman?
To administer the harbour directly through his de facto civil service
This highlights Claudius’ hands-on approach to infrastructure management.
Which aqueducts did Claudius complete, and what was their impact?
Anio Novus and Aqua Claudia; they almost doubled Rome’s water supply
This development ensured Rome’s water security for the future.
How did Claudius’ building programme compare to Augustus’?
More practical and effective, addressing immediate needs
Augustus’ programme was more cultural and ‘spiritual’.
What was the outcome of Claudius’ development of the Fucine Lake area?
Carelessly completed, yet intended to secure food supplies
Pliny the Elder viewed the scale of the works positively despite Tacitus’ criticism.
What was Claudius’ involvement in the legal system?
He took a keen personal interest and frequently judged cases himself
This led to criticisms of his unpredictability and ‘tyrannical zeal’.
What position did Claudius hold that had lapsed for thirty-four years?
Censor
This role was significant for demonstrating the welfare of the Empire.
What was notable about Claudius’ lustrum registration in 48?
5,984,072 citizens were registered, an increase from Augustus’ 4,937,000
This reflects Claudius’ concern for stability and progress.
What proposal did Claudius make regarding the Senate?
To admit Gauls into the Senate
This aimed to introduce new blood and make the Senate more representative.
True or False: Claudius’ proposal to admit Gauls healed the rift with the Senate.
False
While it introduced new members, it did not resolve underlying tensions.
What was the overall relationship between the Senate and Claudius?
The Senate had a poor relationship with Claudius, but there is little evidence of formal opposition.
What efforts did Claudius make to improve his relationship with the Senate?
Claudius made efforts to engage with the Senate, but his relationship with them was never easy.
Which class of Roman society did Claudius seem to enjoy greater success with?
Claudius enjoyed greater success with the plebs and the army.
What privileges were extended to the equestrians under Claudius?
The equestrians were granted the right of admission to the imperial presence, indicated by a golden ring.
What significant event regarding the equestrians occurred during Claudius’ reign?
It is alleged that 300 equestrians were executed during Claudius’ reign.
What measures did Claudius implement that were popular among the plebs?
Securing grain and water supplies were popular measures implemented by Claudius.
How did Claudius demonstrate his relationship with the plebs?
Claudius lavished largesse and entertainment upon the plebs.
What did Dio highlight about Claudius’ governance?
Dio highlighted Claudius’ eye for detail and concern for the city’s administration.
What was the public reaction to the rumor of Claudius’ death?
There was public dismay when it was rumored that Claudius had been killed on the Ostia road.
How did Claudius embody the role of princeps?
Claudius effectively embodied the role of princeps as the pater familias to the entire Roman people.
True or False: Claudius’ relationship with the Senate was characterized by formal opposition.
False
What date is Claudius’ death recorded?
13 October 54
Claudius’ death is noted as significant in the context of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
What dynasty is associated with Claudius’ death?
Julio-Claudian
The Julio-Claudian dynasty is the first imperial dynasty of Rome.
Which historians assign a key role to Agrippina in Claudius’ death?
Suetonius and Tacitus
Both historians are known for their works on Roman history and the lives of emperors.
What role did Agrippina play in the events surrounding Claudius’ death?
Stage-managing the situation to allow for Nero’s supremacy
This suggests that Agrippina was instrumental in political maneuvering following Claudius’ death.
How is Claudius’ death described in terms of its significance?
Symbolic of the vicissitudes that blighted the Julio-Claudian dynasty
‘Vicissitudes’ refers to the changes and fluctuations that affected the dynasty’s stability.
What does the end of Claudius’ reign highlight about historical sources?
The bias of our sources
This requires caution in how we interpret historical events and figures.
True or False: Claudius’ reign is considered unproblematic in historical accounts.
False
The reign is noted for its challenges, reflecting in the interpretation of sources.
Fill in the blank: Claudius’ death drew the curtain on a reign that highlights the _______.
bias of our sources
