PHRYGIA. Aezanis. Claudius (AD 41-54). AE (19mm, 12h). NGC
Fine. Group I. Antiochos Metrogenes, magistrate. ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΝ
ΚΑΙ?ΑΡΑ ΑΙΖΑΝΙΤΑΙ, laureate head of Claudius right / ΕΠΙ
ΑΝΤΙΟ-ΧΟΥ-ΜΗΤΡΟΓΕΝΟΥ?, Zeus standing left, eagle in outstretched
right hand, grounded scepter in left. RPC I, 3089.
Son of the great general Drusus, and Antonia, niece of the
emperor Augustus, Tiberius Claudius Drusus seemed well-positioned
when he was born in 10 BC. But a serious childhood illness left him
with a limp, a stammer, and other qualities that made him the black
sheep of the family. While these problems barred him from a
political career, such exclusion also granted him immunity from the
family's murderous intrigues. Upon Caligula's assassination in
January, AD 41, Claudius was the sole surviving Julio-Claudian male
and, when members of the Praetorian Guard found him cowering behind
a curtain in the palace, they immediately acclaimed him as Emperor.
Claudius astutely awarded the Praetorians a substantial bonus, and
with 10,000 heavily armed soldiers backing him, he easily forced
the Senate to accept him as the next princeps. Once installed,
Claudius surprised everyone by ruling with intelligence and
moderation. In AD 43, he ordered the invasion and annexation of
Britain, the first major addition of territory to the Empire since
the days of Augustus.
He exercised discernment in his selection of provincial
governors and exhibited adept diplomacy in handling foreign
relations. However, his notable shortcomings lay in his excessive
attention to minutiae, dependence on freedmen and close associates,
and his questionable choices in romantic partners. His third wife,
Messalina, known for her promiscuity, wielded significant influence
as Empress and became embroiled in a scandalous conspiracy in AD
48, which posed a threat to his rule. Subsequently, his next wife,
Agrippina the Younger, skillfully utilized her influence to
consolidate her own power and advance the position of her son,
Nero, from a previous marriage, within the succession plans. This
done, she fed Claudius a dish of poisoned mushrooms in October AD
54 and brought his 13-year reign to an end. Despite many missteps
and his unsavory demise, Claudius had been a fairly successful
ruler and his regime set a pattern for the Flavians and the reigns
that followed.
Amazing historical item!! We combine shipping on multiple purchases. Thanks!