Claudius and Nero
Claudius 41-54Nero 54-68
Claudius Marries hisCousin
Tutored, when young, by LivyMessalina, 3
rd
wife of ClaudiusHer lover, Gaius Silius, “the bestlooking man in Rome”“It was as though the empirechanged hands, since the imperialslaves, ex-slaves and furniturewere found in his home”
His affliction
The historian Suetonius describes the physical manifestations of Claudius'affliction in relatively good detail.“ His knees were weak and gave way under him and his head shook. Hestammered and his speech was confused. He slobbered and his nose ranwhen he was excited.”Seneca “Claudius' voice belonged to no land animal, and that his handswere weak as well”Suetonius notes that “when calm and seated he was a tall, well-built figureof dignitas.”When angered or stressed, his symptoms became worse. Historians agreethat this improved upon his accession to the throne. Claudius himself claimed that he had exaggerated his ailments to save his own life.
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