Claudius

Family: Roman · Role: emperor · First appears: Book II, Chapter 11

Claudius, also known as Caesar, became emperor of Rome when the armies at Rome hurried him into government. In Book II, Chapter 11, he summoned Agrippa from the camp for service and immediately restored to him his paternal kingdom, adding Trachonitis, Auranitis, and the kingdom of Lysanius. He gave the kingdom of Chalcis to his brother and son-in-law Herod (king of Chalcis), made the country a Roman province, and appointed Cuspius Fadus its procurator, followed by Tiberius Alexander, who preserved its ancient laws and kept the nation tranquil.

In the following chapter, Claudius banished Cumanus and sent Celer bound to Jerusalem to be delivered to the Jews, while appointing Felix procurator of Galilee, Samaria, and Perea. His servant Stephen carried some furniture. Claudius had been married to Messalina and Agrippina; with Messalina he had Britannicus and Octavia, and with Petina he had Antonia. He married Octavia to Nero, adopted Nero as his successor through Agrippina, and, after the death of Herod (king of Chalcis), set Agrippa over his uncle’s kingdom while Cumanus became procurator of the remaining Roman province.

After administering the government for thirteen years, eight months, and twenty days, Claudius died, leaving Nero as emperor despite having his own son Britannicus. In Book III, Chapter 1, Vespasian procured a triumph for his father, Claudius.