Claudius
Summary
The fourth Roman emperor (A.D. 41-54), during whose reign a famine occurred in Palestine and Jews were expelled from Rome.
☩Rise to Power
Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born August 1, 10 B.C. at Lyons in Gaul, son of Drusus and Antonia. Abandoned to servants in his youth due to physical and mental weakness, he was despised by his imperial relatives. After the murder of Caligula, Claudius was found hiding in fear, but was unexpectedly made emperor by the Praetorian Guards on January 25, A.D. 41. Herod Agrippa I played a significant role in securing the throne for him and was rewarded with enlarged territories.
☩Relations with Jews
Claudius initially treated Jews with indulgence, especially those in Asia and Egypt. He enlarged Herod Agrippa's territory and gave his brother Herod the kingdom of Chalcis. However, around A.D. 49-50, Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome due to tumults described by Suetonius as being 'at the instigation of Chrestus'—apparently confusing Christ with a common name. This expulsion brought Aquila and Priscilla to Corinth, where they met Paul.
☩The Famine
Several famines occurred during Claudius' reign from unfavorable harvests. One of these, in the fourth year of his reign under the procurators Cuspius Fadus and Tiberius Alexander, extended to Palestine and Syria. This appears to be the famine foretold by the prophet Agabus, which prompted the disciples at Antioch to send relief to believers in Judea.
☩Death
Claudius married his niece Agrippina as his fourth wife, and she persuaded him to set aside his son Britannicus in favor of her son Nero. Upon discovering he regretted this decision, Agrippina poisoned him on October 13, A.D. 54. Nero succeeded him as emperor. During Claudius' reign, persecutions of Christians by Jews occurred in Herod Agrippa's dominions, including the execution of the apostle James.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Claudius," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Claudius," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Claudius," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).