Claudius

Claudius, name of 2 Roman emperors. Claudius I (Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus; 10 B.C.-A.D. 54) reigned 41–54. A sickly nephew of the emperor Tiberius, he was a scholar and writer. He invaded Britain (A.D. 43), annexed Mauretania, Lycia, and Thrace (41–46), improved Rome's legal system, and encouraged colonization. He was poisoned by his second wife, Agrippina, Nero's mother. Claudius Π (Marcus Aurelius Claudius Gothicus; 214–270 A.D.) reigned 268–70. An army officer, he succeeded Gallienus.

See also: Rome, Ancient.