ABSTRACT
Claudius was born in 10 BC, the son of Antonia and Drusus (see family tree, Figure 4.1, p. 91). He suffered from certain physical disabilities, the exact nature of which is unclear. His mother had a low opinion of him and he was something of an embarrassment to the imperial family. In a culture that valued bodily perfection, infirmities were taken as a sign of physical, mental and perhaps moral weakness. There was obviously some debate as to whether he should have a public role or even whether he should be allowed to become legally independent (Suet., Claud. 2-4). He lived in the shadow of his brother Germanicus and engaged in scholarly pursuits, research which he was happy to share with the senate and others during his reign. Under Tiberius, he was given consular regalia, but no office, perhaps in part because of the hostility between Tiberius and Claudius’ sister-in-law. He developed a public role as patron of the equites, and he seems to have had some support in the senate (Suet., Claud. 6). His fortunes improved suddenly with the accession of his nephew Gaius. Claudius was made consul and achieved a certain prominence in the presentation of the imperial house. Nevertheless, although not plucked from obscurity by the praetorians in AD 41, as has sometimes been suggested, he was an improbable candidate for imperial office.
