1. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Roman Emperor 41-54 CE

2. About Claudius He had multiple birth defects that affected his mental/physical development He seemed weak and awkward He was disliked by the Roman People

3. Taking Office This is the scene when Claudius learned he was the emperor of Rome after the murder of Caligula http://www.sothebys.com/content/dam/stb/lots/L07/L07132/L07132-14-lr-1.jpg

4. Policies Overview Despite his reputation, Claudius had a successful reign as emperor Expanded the Roman Empire Passed laws protecting sick slaves Early advocate of Women’s Rights in Rome Promoted a group of trustworthy slaves to be his cabinet

5. Foreign Policy Conquered Thrace (south of Danube) and the Kingdoms of Mauretania in North Africa Started the Roman conquest of Britain Greatly expanded the Roman Empire

6. Policies at Home Believed that a large empire could be well governed His cabinet of freedmen were hated by the senators who wanted the positions One of the first advocates of slave/women rights

7. Claudius’s Death Poisoned by his wife/niece Agrippina after he agreed to make Nero his heir http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/agrippina_athens3.jpg

8. Bibliography These Were the Romans Idiot’s Guide to the Roman Empire http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/claudius.ht ml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudius http://www.luc.edu/roman-emperors/claudius.htm