Y12 Ancient History Roman/Julio-Claudian Points Test 15 Claudius Death and Succession

Question 1

1. Describe why there was a succession contest between Agrippina the Younger’s son Nero and Claudius’ other son Britannicus to succeed him? (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 1

• Agrippina’s son, whose prominence was highlighted by the timely disclosure of Messalina’s attempts to murder him, was three years’ older than Britannicus, and could ensure the security and continuation of the dynasty.
• There were admirable precedents for a paired succession: Augustus’ grandsons Gaius and Lucius, Tiberius and Drusus Nero, etc.
• The alternative was for Claudius to promote Britannicus by himself.
• In 43 the exiled Seneca expressed the wish that Britannicus would be Claudius’ consort long before he became successor, attributing to Claudius the plan devised by Augustus for Tiberius in 9BC and exploited by Tiberius for Drusus in 21-23.

Question 2

2. Describe why there was another rival to Nero for the succession from Octavia, Claudius’ daughter, and how Agrippina the Younger apparently dealt with this? (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 2

• Agrippina found an immediate obstacle to the accession of her own son in place of, or alongside Britannicus: L. Junius Silanus, promised to Claudius’ daughter Octavia.
• Within 4 years Octavia would be of marriageable age and capable of providing her husband with heirs and high position.
• Vitellius accordingly accused Silanus in the senate of incest with his sister, the attractive Junia Calvina.
• He resigned his praetorship and killed himself – on the day of the Emperor’s marriage, Junia was neatly exiled.
• Octavia was now free for Agrippina’s son. Intermarriage between branches of the imperial family had been common, strengthening dynastic claims and promoting unity, but the marriage of a Princeps’ political heir to his daughter was the relevant precedent: marriage to Augustus’ daughter Julia to Marcellus and Tiberius.

Question 3

3. Describe how Agrippina the Younger increasingly secured her control over Claudius’ latter reign and the succession prior to his death? (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 3

• Agrippina’s son was adopted on 25 February 50. She was granted the title ‘Augusta’ at the same time, the first living member of the family to accept it since Livia herself.
• From 51 onwards she appeared at ceremonial occasions in a gold-threaded military cloak.
• Tacitus counterpoints the theme of Agrippina’s successes with the neglected condition of Britannicus, the dismissal of servants and officers loyal to him.
• In 51 Nero took the toga virilise, with Claudius leading consul of the year to enhance the dignity of the ceremony.
• For Claudius, this guaranteed a smooth succession, he being 60, the sooner both boys being capable of command the better.
• For Agrippina and her supporters, the premature promotion of Nero advanced her power.
• Nero was also granted proconsular imperium outside of the city limits, an unheard of novelty for a boy his age.

Question 4

4. What level of opposition did Agrippina the Younger encounter in securing the succession for Nero, and why did this fail? (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 4

• The main resistance to Agrippina’s plans for the sole succession of Nero is attributed by Tacitus to Narcissus, while Suetonius and Dio see Claudius himself battling for Britannicus.
• Hostility between Narcissus and Agrippina was not inevitable, Dio has him as much a creature of Agrippina as Pallas was, and Nero might have saved him from Britannicus’ vengeance due to Messalina’s fall.
• Nero’s aunt Domitia Lepida proved another rival to Agrippina, but using Nero as a witness against her in court, the astrology charge was again used to have her executed.
• If Britannicus was to sustain a claim to power, he needed to take the toga virilise by 14 (March 55), to match Nero before 13 and three months.
• This could account for the tensions in the last few months of Claudius’ life, from May 54 onwards.

Question 5

5. Describe the events surrounding Claudius’ death (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 5

• Suetonius has Claudius ruing his advancement of Nero, repaired his relationship with Britannicus, and made his will.
• That is unconvincing. As Dorey insisted, Claudius is unlikely to have changed his mind about an established heir whether at the urging of Narcissus or by himself; that would have been to invite civil war.
• Dorey suggested that the ‘change of mind’ was Agrippina’s propaganda after she fell out with Nero (55-9).
• Murder cannot be proved.
• The diverse accounts show that nobody knew when, where, or by whom poison was administered.
• Claudius presided over a priestly banquet on the capitol (Augustalia 12th October) with his taster Halotus, and that his nextand last dinner was at the palace.
• Tacitus and Dio have Claudius poisoned at home, with mushroom treated on Agrippina’s order.
• Tacitus adds that after the first failed attempt, Xenophon, Claudius’ doctor, put a poisoned feather down Claudius’ throat.
• The absence of Narcissus fosters suspicion, but he could not have guaranteed Claudius’ safety.
• Claudius was in his 64th year, drank heavily, had always been weakly and had been ill.

Question 6

6. Describe the overall strengths of Claudius’ reign (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 6

• An efficient and humane administrator.
• His social legislation illustrates his belief that it was his duty to look after the welfare of the people and to protect the weaker members of the people and to protect the weaker members of society such as women, slaves and minors.
• This was a preoccupation with him whether he was in the law courts or initiating policies.
• He provided public utilities, entertainments and justice, and he won the loyalty of the common people.
• His policy of assimilation was far-sighted, whether in the provinces (liberal extension of citizenship and encouragement of Romanisation through colonies) or by injecting new talent – the Aedui (Gauls) – into the senate. He was highly appreciated by the provincials.
• His successful military campaigns (Britain) gave him the support of the army. He also promoted the PG.

Question 7

7. Describe the overall weaknesses of Claudius’ reign (any relevant point for 3 marks).

Answer 7

• The creation of a centralised bureaucracy caused problems.
• Claudius’ freedmen wielded great power as he delegated more and more state business to them.
• They were able to enrich themselves and secure the condemnation of anyone they wanted removed on even the flimsiest of evidence.
• The formation of the civil service deprived the senatorial and equestrian orders of much of their previous responsibilities, which created hostility towards Claudius.
• His debauched and ambitious wives were responsible for the elimination of many influential people and the promotion of others of their choice.
• His weakness was shown when he allowed Agrippina practically equal status with himself.