Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CLAUDIUS

The fourth emperor of Rome. Tiberius Claudius Drusus was step-grandson and grandnephew of Augustus and grandson of Mark Antony. Born 1 August 10 b.c.e., Claudius survived the political murders of Sejanus during the reign of his uncle, the emperor Tiberius, but on account of physical disabilities he was not considered a candidate for the throne as were his brother and nephews. Upon the assassination of his nephew, the emperor Gaius (Caligula), Claudius was found hiding in the palace by rampaging praetorian guards who proclaimed the stunned Claudius emperor.

Claudius’ reign (41-54 c.e.) demonstrated excellent management, particularly in the provinces, perhaps not unexpected of one who had spent most of his life as a historian of Rome’s past. For the first time provincial leaders were admitted to the Senate at Rome. Claudius established a government bureaucracy to further facilitate efficient and fair administration of the provinces. He engaged in several building projects that improved Rome’s supply of water and grain, including his successful construction of Rome’s harbor at Ostia. He successfully centralized the power of the emperor, but his reliance on the counsel of freedmen and his apparent manipulation by his wives tarnished his reputation. Although early in his reign, perhaps due to the influence of his boyhood friend, Herod Agrippa, Claudius had enacted an edict protecting the religious freedom of Jews throughout the empire, he later ordered the expulsion of Jews from Rome because of their frequent rioting at the instigation of “Chrestus.”

During Claudius’ reign Britain and Thrace were added to the empire after their conquest by Claudius’ generals. His only son was named Britannicus in honor of Britain’s subjugation. Claudius’ fourth wife was his niece Agrippina, who arranged the murder of first Claudius and then Britannicus, to obtain and ensure the throne for her son by a previous marriage, Nero.

Bibliography. B. Levick, Claudius (New Haven, 1990).

John F. Hall/Scott Nash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CLAUDIUS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)