Claudius was Roman emperor from 41 to 54 CE. After the death of Emperor Caligula (37-41 CE) and his family at the hands of the Praetorian Guard, the future Emperor Claudius was found quivering behind a set of curtains, fearing for his own life, and named emperor. Historian Cassius Dio wrote: "At first the soldiers, supposing that he was someone else or perhaps had something worth taking, dragged him forth; and then, on recognizing him, they hailed him emperor and conducted him to the camp. Afterwards they together with their comrades entrusted to him the supreme power ..." (60.1)
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Definition
Timeline
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504 BCEMigration of Claudii from Sabine lands to Rome.
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20 CE - 22 CEBirth of Valeria Messalina, wife of Emperor Claudius.
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38 CEMarriage of Messalina to Claudius.
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39 CEBirth of Octavia, daughter of Messalina and Emperor Claudius.
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41 CERoman Emperor Claudius allows Agrippina the Younger to return back to Rome from exile.
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41 CERoman emperor Claudius builds a 6 km tunnel to drain the Fucine Lake.
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25 Jan 41 CE - 13 Oct 54 CEReign of Roman Emperor Claudius.
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12 Feb 41 CEBirth of Britannicus, son of Messalina and Emperor Claudius.
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43 CEClaudius commences the Roman conquest of Britain.
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48 CEDeath of Valeria Messalina, wife of Emperor Claudius.
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49 CERoman emperor Claudius marries his niece, Agrippina the Younger.
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50 CEAdoption of Nero by Roman emperor Claudius.
