claudius, I Flashcards
what were the practical justifications for Claudius’ reliance on freedmen
Claudius entered public life comparatively much later than his predecessors - especially during his quasi-retirement he would have been surrounded by freedmen rather than equestrians/senators/patricians - already emperors filled important positions with previous friends and associates - he did the same
Inherited an imperial estate which was valued at 2.7 billion sesterces after Tiberius - freedmen often in administration and finance thus familiar with their roles - also weren’t termed in the way higher positions were so might be more familiar than upper-class counterparts
equestrians often outright rejected administrative roles, choosing prefect positions rather than secretarial. Culturally - admin now seen as a household role -> disparity in status between the emperor and equestrians not perceived as large enough to be socially acceptable -> our writers may object because the nature of the principate had changed and the Emperor was more of a tangible position than it was yet even under Claudius
lack of extended imperial family who would have traditionally filled such roles before him - even those still alive had apparently shown dislike towards him
level of trust because the freedmen couldn’t realistically aspire to certain offices (including emperor) - not to mention fiercely loyal for having been brought up so much higher than they could anticipate
historians opinions on Claudius and the freedmen
Suetonius pulls out an occasion when Claudius makes a freedman’s son a senator, but it is through adoption by an eques (claud.24.1)
claud.29.1-2 - heavily implies that Narcissus and Pallas had heavy influence upon him by talking about the various honours he bestows upon them both, even suggesting that they ordered the death of an ex-consul without claudius’ knowledge (he is told of it, and he doesn’t remember it, suggesting the freedmen were responsible for the order but not in an angry way)
examples of Claudius attempting to appeal to the Roman population
gold and marble additions to the Circus Maximus (suetonius 21.1)
efficient work on old aqueducts and the new Aqua Claudia - Suetonius notes this being particularly popular (21.4)
figures for Claudius’ private trials
321 equestrians and 35 senators put to death in his private trials
