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Claudius 41-54
Nero 54-68
Claudius Marries his
Cousin
Tutored, when young, by Livy
Messalina, 3rd wife of Claudius
Her lover, Gaius Silius, “the best
looking man in Rome”
“It was as though the empire
changed hands, since the imperial
slaves, ex-slaves and furniture
were found in his home”
His affliction
The historian Suetonius describes the physical manifestations of Claudius'
affliction in relatively good detail.
“ His knees were weak and gave way under him and his head shook. He
stammered and his speech was confused. He slobbered and his nose ran
when he was excited.”
Seneca “Claudius' voice belonged to no land animal, and that his hands
were weak as well”
Suetonius notes that “when calm and seated he was a tall, well-built figure
of dignitas.”
When angered or stressed, his symptoms became worse. Historians agree
that this improved upon his accession to the throne. Claudius himself
claimed that he had exaggerated his ailments to save his own life.
Claudius Keeps Busy