Claudius was Roman emperor from 41 to 54 CE. After the death of Emperor Caligula (37-41 CE) and his family at the hands of the Praetorian Guard, the future Emperor Claudius was found quivering behind a set of curtains, fearing for his own life, and named emperor. Historian Cassius Dio wrote: "At first the soldiers, supposing that he was someone else or perhaps had something worth taking, dragged him forth; and then, on recognizing him, they hailed him emperor and conducted him to the camp. Afterwards they together with their comrades entrusted to him the supreme power ..." (60.1)
More about: ClaudiusDefinition
Timeline
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504 BCEMigration of Claudii from Sabine lands to Rome.
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20 CE - 22 CEBirth of Valeria Messalina, wife of Emperor Claudius.
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38 CEMarriage of Messalina to Claudius.
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39 CEBirth of Octavia, daughter of Messalina and Emperor Claudius.
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41 CERoman Emperor Claudius allows Agrippina the Younger to return back to Rome from exile.
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41 CERoman emperor Claudius builds a 6 km tunnel to drain the Fucine Lake.
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25 Jan 41 CE - 13 Oct 54 CEReign of Roman Emperor Claudius.
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12 Feb 41 CEBirth of Britannicus, son of Messalina and Emperor Claudius.
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43 CEClaudius commences the Roman conquest of Britain.
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48 CEDeath of Valeria Messalina, wife of Emperor Claudius.
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49 CERoman emperor Claudius marries his niece, Agrippina the Younger.
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50 CEAdoption of Nero by Roman emperor Claudius.