Claudius
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula's assassination, Claudius confounded expectations of incompetence with effective administration and the conquest of Britain. Despite a physical disability that had kept him from public life, he proved a capable ruler who expanded Roman citizenship and infrastructure.
Claudius oversaw the first major expansion of the empire since Augustus, bringing Britain into the Roman world. His administrative reforms, including the expansion of the imperial bureaucracy and Roman citizenship, had lasting effects on the structure of the empire.
Key Events
Coinage
Claudian coinage celebrates his unexpected rise and military achievements, particularly the conquest of Britain. His DE BRITANN types are major collector pieces, and his extensive bronze coinage circulated widely across the western provinces.
Denominations
Notable Types
- DE BRITANN triumphal arch types
- Praetorian camp sestertius (IMPER RECEPT)
- Nero Claudius Drusus commemorative
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Further Reading
- The Twelve Caesars
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume I (revised)