Claudius

Claudius (10 BCE to 54 CE) was the fourth Roman emperor, who reigned from 41 to 54 CE. Though a member of the imperial Julio-Claudian Dynasty, his rise to power had always seemed unlikely. Indeed, for much of his life, he had been ostracized by his own family due to his disabilities. But after the assassination of his nephew, Caligula, in 41 CE, he was proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard. His reign was a relatively prosperous time for the Roman Empire, seeing the construction of new roads and aqueducts, as well as the conquest of Britain. He died in 54 CE – possibly poisoned by his wife – and was succeeded by his adopted son Nero (reign 54-68).