Claudius
•Claudius's reign was that of an able administrator, both in civil and military affairs.
•Though his wife Messalina became largely responsible for administering the government and she practiced cruelties and extortions without restraint.
•In 48 Claudius ordered the execution of Messalina, who had indicated her contempt for him by publicly staging a mock marriage with her lover.
•He then defied widespread disapproval by marrying his niece, Agrippina the Younger, under whose influence he deprived his son Britannicus, of his heritage, adopting instead Agrippina's son by a former marriage, Nero.
•Shortly thereafter Claudius was poisoned, presumably by Agrippina.
