Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-245) and index.
Contents:
Principate and dynasty -- Education -- Unfit for a public career? -- Accession -- Princeps and imperator -- Establishment of the court : Messalina -- The dominance of Agrippina -- Imperial policies? -- Senate and knights : Claudius and the aristocracy -- The people of Rome and Italy -- Legislation, justice, and society -- Finance and the economy -- Claudius' invasion of Britain -- Warfare on three continents -- Claudius and his provincial subjects -- Aftermath : Claudius in literature and history.
Summary:
"Claudius became emperor after the assassination of Caligula, and was deified by his successor Nero in AD 54. Opinions of him have varied greatly over succeeding centuries, but he has mostly been caricatured as a reluctant emperor, hampered by a speech impediment, who preferred reading to ruling. Barbara Levick's authoritative study reassesses the reign of Claudius, examining his political objectives and activities within the constitutional, political, social and economic development of Rome. Out of Levick's critical scrutiny of the literary, archaeological and epigraphic sources emerges a different Claudius -- an intelligent politician, ruthlessly determined to secure his position as ruler. Now updated to take account of recent scholarship, Claudius remains essential reading for students and historians of the early Roman Empire"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.