by Steve Hale
Claudius is routinely overlooked because of the insanity of Caligula and the bloody rule of Nero. But, Claudius was Emperor from A.D. 41-54, a very strategic time during the New Testament era. Churches were being planted. Thousands were being won to Christ.
Claudius was not much older than Jesus, bom in 10 B.C. in Lyons. In almost pitiful fashion, his mother described him: "...as a monster: a man whom Mother Nature had begun to work upon, and then flung aside.' So, everyone regarded Claudius as a fool and simpleton.
However, Claudius was a handsome man, tall and well-built. Yet, he stumbled as he walked. Will Durant believes he may have suffered from polio. Claudius spoke slowly, as foam would often ooze from his mouth. Also, his nose would usually run. He had gout, and his head wobbled a little, as if attached to his shoulders by a spring.
His rise to the Roman throne was quite by accident. Present at the time and place of Caligula's assassination Claudius hid in terror behind a curtain. One of the iuards noticed his feet sticking out. The guard pulled away the curtain, and immediately recognized Claudius. Claudius dropped to the floor, and fell at the guard's knees. He thought death was imminent.
But, the guard wanted to make him Emperor. The Senate, so completely disgusted with Caligula, wanted Rome to become a Republic again. The Guard demanded a monarchy, as did the populace. Since Claudius was such a 'simpleton,' the Senate let the military have its say.
Claudius thanked the Guard by giving every member 15,000 sesterces for voting for him. He generously granted amnesty for all those wanting a new constitution. Claudius did order the immediate execution of the assassins who had murdered Caligula.
Claudius had a horrible married life. His first wife died on the day of their wedding. He divorced his next two wives. Then, at the age of 48, he married Messalina, who was only 16 at the time. She was not even very pretty, as ancient historians describe her as having a flat head, a deformed chest, and a reddish face. Her second child was Britannicus, named in honor of the conquest of Britain in A.D. 43. He becomes very important to us later.
Messalina was positively lewd, and perhaps even addicted to sex. She begged Claudius to order a dancer, Mnester, to succumb to her advances. Finally, Claudius so ordered, and Mnester then yielded to her desires. She lured many others into her bed similarly. Juvenal writes that she even disguised herself as a prostitute, and worked in a brothel.
Finally, she did herself in by committing bigamy. She married Caius Silius while married to Claudius! Claudius had had enough, and ordered her execution. Even though he promised to never remarry, he did, and believe it or not, made the worst mistake of his life by so doing!
His new bride would be Agrippina, the mother of one of the most villainous rulers of all time: Nero! Agrippina herself was a Roman Jezebel! --