CLAUDIUS I., TulEmus, a Roman emperor, the youngest son of Nero Claudius Drusus, step-son of the emperor Augustus, was b. at 'you 10 B.C. He was naturally sickly and infirm, and his education was neglected, or left to be cared for by women and freedmen. His supposed imbecility saved him from the cruelty of Caligula; but C., in his privacy, had made considerable progress in the study of history, and wrote iu Latin and Greek several extensive works now lost. After the assassination of Caligula, C. was found by the soldiers in a corner of the palace, where, iu dread, he hail concealed himself. The pretorians carried him forth, proclaimed him emperor, and compelled his recognition by the senate and many citizens who had hoped to restore the republic. By his payment of the troops, who had raised him to the throne, C. gave the first example of the baneful practice which subjected Rome to a military despotism under the succeeding emperors. The first acts of his reign seemed to give promise of mild and just government, but in the year 42, when a conspiracy against his life was detected, his timidity led him to yield himself entirely to the guidance of his infamous wife, Messalina, who, in concert with the freedmen Pallas and Narcissus, practiced cruelties and extortions without restraint. C. meanwhile lived in retirement, partly occupied in
studies, and expended enormous sums in building, especially in the famous Aqua Claudia (Clandian aqueduct). This great work occupied 30,000 laborers durina. eleven years. Abroad, the armies of C. were victorious. Mauritania was made a during province, the conquest of Britain was commenced, and some progress was made in Ger many. After the execution of Messalina, another woman equally vicious and more cruel, Agrippina (q.v.), married the emperor, and destroyed him by poison 54 A.D., in order to secure the succession of her son Nero. After his death, C. was deified.