2020-01-24 Fri

Emperor Claudius, the 1st Emperor of Rome born outside Italy, was an ambitious builder. He extended Roman rule in North Africa and made Britain a province. Today on 24th January in the year 41 AD, Claudius was proclaimed Roman Emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.

During the reign, Claudius constructed many roads, aqueducts, Arcs, and canals across the land. His conquest of Britain marked him in history as a conqueror. His victory over Britain was commemorated by the erecting the Arch of Claudius.

The above shown Aureus of Claudius struck at the Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, dated 41–42. The depiction on the reverse meant to commemorate the "reception of the emperor" at the Praetorian Camp and the protection the Praetorian Guard afforded Claudius in the days following the assassination of Caligula. Issued over a number of years in both gold and silver, these types of coins were struck to serve as part of the annual military payments Claudius had promised the Guard in return for their role in raising him to the throne. The obverse of this coin depicts the bust of Claudius.

Image Source: wikipedia.org