Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D.Claudius was one of the most capable, yet unlikely of emperors. Shunned by his family because his many infirmities were the antithesis of the idealized patrician of Rome, Claudius spent the first decades of his life absorbed in scholarly studies although he did serve one term as Consul during the reign of his nephew Caligula. After Caligula's murder the Praetorian Guard found him hiding behind a curtain in the Imperial Palace, expecting to be murdered with the rest of the imperial family. Instead the guard proclaimed him emperor. His reign was marred by personal catastrophes, most notably promiscuity and betrayal by his third wife, the notorious Messalina. He governed well and conquered the troublesome island of Britain. He was poisoned by his fourth wife, Agrippina Jr., mother of Nero. detailed biography goes hereObverse legendsDIVVSCLAVDIVSAVGVSTVS | Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D.Claudius was one of the most capable, yet unlikely of emperors. Shunned by his family because his many infirmities were the antithesis of the idealized patrician of Rome, Claudius spent the first decades of his life absorbed in scholarly studies although he did serve one term as Consul during the reign of his nephew Caligula. After Caligula's murder the Praetorian Guard found him hiding behind a curtain in the Imperial Palace, expecting to be murdered with the rest of the imperial family. Instead the guard proclaimed him emperor. His reign was marred by personal catastrophes, most notably promiscuity and betrayal by his third wife, the notorious Messalina. He governed well and conquered the troublesome island of Britain. He was poisoned by his fourth wife, Agrippina Jr., mother of Nero. detailed biography goes hereObverse legendsDIVVSCLAVDIVSAVGVSTVS |