Roman Quadrans coin of Claudius I from 41 AD.
MINT: Rome
OBVERSE; TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG
- Hand with scales, PNR below.
REVERSE; PON M TR P IMP COS DES IT
- Legend around large SC.
Claudius
41 - 54
After the murder of Caligula, the Praetorian Guard had to come up with a worthy successor and fast lest the Senate step in and revert back to the pre-Julius Caesar type of Republic. The only relative of Caligula they could find was Claudius who was Caligula's uncle. An otherwise unfit man to rule, Claudius was a recluse of whom little was known about by design. Because he suffered physical deformities he was kept out of the limelight to avoid embarrassment. At the age of 46 he was unveiled to the public by his uncle Caligula and he held a position as Suffect Consul or "replacement" consul. But don't get the wrong idea, this was done by Caligula entirely to spite the Senate and had nothing to do with any affection he had for Claudius himself.
Nevertheless, by bringing him out in public Claudius gained a degree of acceptance. To augment this perception it was noted that he was highly educated and not inept as an administrator. In the turn of events that was to happen next this all played out in his favor. When the Praetorian Guard thus announced his candidacy to the seat of power the Senate had to oblige and ratify the decision.
As a ruler, the only truly poor decision he made was to marry his niece. She turned out to be nothing but trouble for him and pursued an agenda of grooming her son as Claudius's replacement. She was skillful in this endeavor and easily manipulated Claudius himself to carry out her goals. When Nero's place as rightful heir was a sure thing she simply poisoned him and Nero took his place.