Claudius - The Accidental Emperor

Claudius was the fourth emperor of Rome, serving from 41 AD to 54 AD. He was not supposed to be emperor, but due to a series of unfortunate events, he found himself on the throne.

Born with physical disabilities and a speech impediment, Claudius was often overlooked and dismissed by his family. However, he was a clever man with a great love for history and literature. He wrote many books, including a 20-volume history of Rome that he considered his life’s work.

In 41 AD, the emperor Caligula was assassinated by his own guards. Chaos ensued and many senators and soldiers were killed. Eventually, the Praetorian Guard chose Claudius as the new emperor, thinking he would be an easy puppet to control.

Boy, were they wrong.

Claudius surprised everyone with his intelligence and his skillful handling of politics. He reformed the judicial system, improved the infrastructure of Rome, and even conquered Britain.

The people loved Claudius, but the nobility still considered him a joke. They called him “the babbling fool” behind his back and made fun of him at public events.

But Claudius had the last laugh.

He outmaneuvered his opponents, making alliances with powerful senators and bringing his own family down when they stood in his way. He eventually died of poisoning (likely at the hands of his last wife, Agrippina) but not before proving that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Today, Claudius is remembered for his contributions to Roman society and his unexpected rise to power. He was not the emperor that anyone expected, but he proved that a disabled man with a stutter could be a cunning ruler.

As Claudius would say, “A foolish emperor may be laughed at, but a wise one is feared.”