12 Caesars: Claudius

Claudius

Tiberius Claudius Drusus, better known as Claudius, was born in Lugdunum (in Gaul) in 10 BC. He was the granson of Livia, Marcus Antonius and Octavia, and the son of Antonia and Nero Claudius Drusus. He was Tiberius’ nephew as well as Nero’s and Caligula’s uncle.



(The first likeness above looks most like Claudius' image on coins, to my eye.)

Most accounts of Claudius’ early years describe him as a somewhat sickly youth. He had a limp and some deafness from an early illness, was a stammerer, and his own mother Antonia effectively discarded him after her husband Drusus died on a military campaign, leaving him to be partly raised by his grandmother Livia. Suetonius describes Antonia’s opinion of her son as “a monster of a man, not finished but merely begun by Dame Nature"; and if she accused anyone of dullness, she used to say that he was "a bigger fool than her son Claudius."

Thus shunned, Claudius indulged in his scholarly interests, and was tutore by the historians Livy and Pollio. He became well-versed in the history of Rome and wrote books on the history of the Carthaginians, the principate of Augustus, and even a book about gambling (dicing). Unfortunately, none of these books survived.

An unintended consequence of his scholarly pursuits was that his histories damaged his prospects for public office that would normally be awarded to a Julio-Claudian scion, since his histories were accurate rather than politically correct; Augustus didn’t want to be reminded that Claudius’ grandfather was Marcus Antonius, who had opposed Augustus during the wars of the second triumvirate.

His luck in marriage was equally unfortunate. He had six arranged marriages during his lifetime, only four of which actually happened. His first arranged marriage was canceled when the intended wife’s family fell out of favor; his second, when his intended wife died on the very day of the marriage.

He had two children by his first actual wife (Plautia Urgulanilla) whom he divorced for adultery and on the suspicion that she attempted to murder him. Their first child, a boy, choked to death on a pear, while the second, a girl, was disowned when she was thought to be the daughter of a freedman rather than Claudius’ biological daughter.

His next marriage was to Aelia Paetina, with whom he had a daughter, Claudia Antonia. But after the fall of Sejanus, he divorced her, and took up with a concubine named Calpurnia. In I, Claudius, Robert Graves portrays this relationship as being warm and loving, with Claudius not particularly interested in marrying again.

But if Claudius thought his marital luck couldn’t get worse, the fates would prove this spectacularly wrong. In 39 AD, he married the ambitious and devious 14-year-old Valeria Messalina, with whom he had a daughter and a son. Ruthless in pursuit of her own goals, she destroyed her female rivals (Claudius’ nieces Livia Julia and Julia Livilla) and according to Suetonius and others, tried to have Agrippina Jr.’s son Nero strangled in his bed, since Nero was the only other potential heir to the throne (the other being Messalina’s son Britannicus) after Claudius died. This attempt was foiled, according to legend, by the appearance of a snake from under Nero’s pillow that frightened the would-be murderers.

Messalina would eventually create her own downfall. Highly promiscuous, she became infatuated by consul-designate Gaius Silius, and when Claudius was in Ostia in 48 AD, she married Silius despite still being married to Claudius. When Claudius’ freedman Narcissus found out about the marriage and informed Claudius, both Messalina and Silius were put to death, although some accounts (including I, Claudius) have Messalina being forced to commit suicide rather than be executed.

In a final sad denouement, Claudius would end up marrying his niece Agrippina Jr., who first arranged the murder of Claudius himself, and then after Nero had been hailed emperor, killing Claudius’ son Britannicus, thus ensuring that her son Nero would remain emperor.

Claudius was raised to emperor by the Praetorian Guard immediately after the assassination of Claudius' nephew, the emperor Caligula. Claudius, having heard about the assassination and fearing for his life, was found cowering behind a curtain by the Praetorians. Because Claudius had a reputation as a half-wit and stammerer, the Praetorians considered him a harmless member of the royal family. Claudius became the first emperor to be raised to Caesar by the Praetorians.

One of my favorite quotes from the BBC series I, Claudius was when Claudius was asking the senate to confirm him as emperor:

"As for being half-witted: well, what can I say, except that I have survived to middle age with half my wits, while thousands have died with all of theirs intact. Evidently, quality of wits is more important than quantity."

After his accession to the throne, he was constantly bedeviled by plots to assassinate him, with the result that many would-be conspirators were put to death during his reign. The Senate wasn’t pleased with him, partially because of the method by which he became emperor, which involved a 15,000 sestertii bribe to each member of the Praetorian Guard, and later due to his appointing freedman to official positions due to the lack of sufficiently qualified noblemen. Although the Senate was constantly at odds with him, Claudius seems to have gone out of his way to appear submissive to their wishes in order to have his agenda move forward.

Suetonius paints a portrait of Claudius as self-indulgent, timid and somewhat paranoid. In I Claudius, however, Robert Graves treats Claudius much more sympathetically and benignly. Indeed, Claudius accomplished much for the Roman Empire and people during his reign. He initiated the building of the Port of Ostia, ensuring a constant and stable grain supply for the citizens of Rome. He established London as a civilian Roman city, adding Britain, Mauretania, and Thrace to the Empire. He completed two massive aqueducts, and overall was a thoughtful ruler who believed in traditional Roman values and laws.

Almost all accounts implicate his wife Agrippina Jr. in Claudius' death, ostensibly by poisoned mushrooms (which Claudius loved -- uh, except for the poison aspect). Some accounts have her actually feeding them to Claudius, while other have Claudius’ taster as the culprit.

About the Coins



In hand, the surfaces of the sestertius are not as rough as the picture indicates. The quality of the engraving on this reverse, illustrating the sheerness of Spes’ gown, is especially well done.

The aureus has always been one of my all-time favorite coins, not only in my collection but in all of Roman aurei. Its reverse commemorates the Praetorian Guard’s raising him to the throne following Caligula’s assassination. Despite memorializing one of the most significant historical events of the first century AD, Berk oddly does not include this coin in his 100 Greatest Ancient Coins.

All coins of Claudius are welcome!

 

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Love the denarius, a real beauty.


Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.)
AR Tetradrachm
EGYPT, Alexandria
O: TI KLA[UDI KAIS SEBA GERMANI AUTOKR], laureate head of Claudius right; LB to right.
R: ANTWNIA SEBASTH, draped bust of Antonia right, wearing hair in long plait.
Dated RY 2 (41/2 AD)
23mm
11.62g
Dattari 114; Milne 61-64; Emmett 73.


Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.)
Attaleia, Pamphylia
Æ 19
O: Bare head left.
R: ΑΤΤΑΛΕΩΝ, helmeted head of Athena right.
Attalea mint
4.44g
Baydur 15, BMC 13 (plate 23, 8), Istanbul museum collection 7726

Ex. Heritage Auctions, Aug 9, 2012, #231232 Lot 62017, (part of)


Nero & Divo Claudius (54 - 69 A.D.)
AR Drachm
CAESAREA CAPPADOCIA
O: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERM, laureate head of Nero.
R: DIVOS CLAVD AVGVST GERMANIC PATER AVG, Claudius' laureate head right.
19mm
3.47g
RIC 621, RSC 3, RPC 3648

 

I can see why your Aureus has been one of your favorites for some time, absolutely fantastic coin. I have a few Claudius all bronze.

 

CLAUDIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP XI, laureate head right
REVERSE: PACI AVGVSTAE, Pax-Nemesis advancing right, drawing out fold of robe at neck, holding caduceus above serpent preceding her
Struck at Rome, 46/7AD
3.6g, 19mm
RIC39, BMC40

CLAUDIUS
AE As
OBVERSE: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP P P, bare head left.
REVERSE: Minerva advancing right, holding shield and brandishing a javelin, S-C across fields
Struck at Rome, 50-4AD
9.7g, 28m
RIC 116

CLAUDIUS
AE Quadrans
OBVERSE: T I CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG – Modius
REVERSE: PON M TRP IMP P P COSII - Large S C
Struck at Rome, 42AD
2.6g, 16mm
RIC 90, BN 195, S 1865, C 72

CLAUDIUS
AE Quandran
OBVERSE: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG around hand holding pair of scales above PNR
REVERSE: PON M TR P IMP COS DES IT around S C
Struck at Rome, 41AD
2.8g, 15mm
RIC 85, Cohen 71, BMC 174

CLAUDIUS
AE As
OBVERSE: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP P P, bare head left.
REVERSE: Minerva advancing right, holding shield and brandishing a javelin, S-C across fields
Struck at Rome, 50-4AD
10.5g, 25mm
RIC 116

CLAUDIUS
AE As
OBVERSE: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TRP IMP P P - Bare head left
REVERSE: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI - Constantia standing left, raising hand and holding spear; S C across fields
Struck at Spain, 42/3AD
12.7g, 25mm
RIC111, BMC201, S1858

 

CLAUDIUS:


RI Claudius 41-54 Ae As 28mm LIBERTAS AVGVSTA S-C RIC 100


RI Claudius Ae As 28mm Minerva S-C RIC 100


MESSALINA:


RProv Valeria Messalina m-Claudius 41-54 CE Alexandria BI Tet yr 42-4313-1g 25mm RPC I 5131

 

I agree - this is one of my favorite types and has been on my wantlist for ages. I'm still waiting for the "right" coin: yours is superb.

 

If there is one thing special to this period, IMO, it is the number of dies that treat the transparent drapery well. Spes never had it so good. Even the non-Roman branch mints have some suggestion of translucent drapery.


Since she is such an interesting figure in the history, we should show a Messalina reverse on tetradrachm of Alexandria from year 6. While her figure is full length rather than a portrait, the name is fully spelled out at reverse left. When buying one of these, favor coins with clear names.


Denarii of Claudius are scarce. Fourrees of Claudius are common. I am not saying that the official mint issued fourrees but I have seen some that have decent style. It could be nothing more than a sign that dealers are willing to sell fourrees of this emperor because they have so few solid coins while they are 'too good' to handle fourrees of more common rulers. I do not know.

 

Claudius, 41-54.
AE As, 30mm, 10.4g, 7h; Rome, 50-54.
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P Bare head of Claudius to left.
Rev. LIBERTAS AVGVSTA / S - C Libertas standing facing, her head turned to right, holding pileus in her right hand and extending her left.
BMC 204. BN 230. Cohen 47. RIC 113.

For now all I have is this humble budget example. Hope to upgrade some day. He was a vastly underrated emperor.

 

That As is spectacular, Ides, and your writeup engaged me from beginning to end. Here is the next denarius from my 12 Caesars group.

Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus (41-42)
(BMCRE 13; RSC 6; RIC 2)
Minted at Rome


TI CLAVD CAESAR. AVG GERM PM TR P
(reading up from left to right)
laureate head of Claudius facing right

This is one of two obverse inscriptions for Claudius dated to the beginning of his reign, 41-42 A.D. Some of his later denarii show a mild flatness to the top of his head that this one does not.

CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI
Constantia seated left on curule chair

In view of the death of Antonia, the mother of Claudius, under Caligula, the figure of Constantia is noteworthy. Mattingly observes in BMCRE I, clv, "The type 'Constantiae Avgvsti' represents Antonia, in the character of 'the Firmness of the Emperor', 'Imperial Constancy'...." "The type suggests that Claudius derived the 'Constantia',..., from his mother, a woman of marked strength and determination of character."

 

I definitely 'need' a Claudius! Enjoyed all of the ones posted here and enjoyed the write up by @IdesOfMarch01 very much. Thanks!

 

Another great writeup @IdesOfMarch01 and more superb coins!

Here are my 2 coins of Claudius, both are denarii.

Claudius AR Denarius. 41-54 AD. Rome mint Struck 46-47 AD.
(17.28 mm 3.62 gr).
Obv: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P VI IMP XI, laureate head right
Rev: CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI, Constantia seated left of curule chair, hand raised to face. RIC 32 (R2), RSC 8 BMC 31. SRCV I (2000) 1842
Ex: AU Capital Management LLC
Purchased July 23 2015 from AU Capital Management LLC


Claudius, with Nero as Caesar. 41-54 AD. AR Denarius. Struck 50-54 AD.
(17.68 mm, 2.78 g, 6h)
Obv: TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT P P Laureate head of Claudius right
Rev: NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT Draped bust of Nero Left
RIC I 83 (R2) ; RSC 5. SRCV I (2000) 1890 RSC 5
Ex: CNG e-auctions 356, Lot: 469. Closing Jul 29, 2015
Ex: Holding History Coins Agora Auctions Lot 07-158 April 21, 2016

 

I'm really enjoying your writeups and coins @IdesOfMarch01 they're fantastic.

 

Another fantastic segment of a truly wonderful thread with superb coins!!

Love the posts everyone!!

My latest acquisition of Claudius...with Agrippina:


CLAUDIUS, 41-54 A.D.
CLAUDIUS and AGRIPPINA Bronze (16mm, 5.18gm.) Lydia: Thyateira, 50 A.D.
Reference: RPC 2380. SNG Munich 611.
TI KLAUDIOS KAISAR SEBASTOS, bare head of Claudius right.
AGRIPPINAN SEBASTHN QUATIRHN[OI], draped bust of Agrippina right.

 

Another great writeup with beautifull coins, thanks IdesofMarch.

All issued under Claudius, Claudius himself and his parents:

Claudius:



His Father:



His Mother:

 

AAAYYYYYY!



Cool thread!



Claudius, AE Quadrans , AD 42.

O: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG, hand holding scales, PNR in field; R: PON M TR P IMP PP COS II around S C. RIC 91, Cohen 73. 17 mm, 3.2 g.

 

Wonderful writeup and coins, Ides. The aureus is truly fantastic.

The sheerness of Spes's gown on my sestertius is a tad obscured...

 

Another bookmark-worthy writeup, Ides! Thanks

The IMPER RECEPT is of course fabulous but they're all wonderful as are your curation skills.

@Mikey Zee, I love your new Claudius/Agrippina!

 

I totally forgot I got this coin a couple months back..

 

Pretty nice provenance on that aureus!

I would like to upgrade, but I have had trouble finding a portrait I'm happy with (and willing to pay for).

 

You have phenomenal tastes, Ides, and the budget to back them up, and your essays are always enjoyable and instructive. Kudos!