It is generally accepted that Agrippina was responsible for Claudius' death. Discuss this statement with reference to sources.
Date Submitted: 09/09/2006 23:56:55
Claudius died on the 13th October 54AD. This is the one fact about his death which can be proved by corroborating evidence, however when it comes to the manner in which he died or who was responsible for it the sources become less reliable.
Two ancient historians, Tacitus and Suetonius, both concur that Claudius was murdered by poison which was administered through an elaborate orchestration of Agrippina's. Tacitus and Suetonius also agree on Agrippina's motive
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how Claudius died, but from the sources it can be acknowledged that it is generally accepted that Agrippina was responsible for Claudius' death.
Sources:
Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, Penguin Books, Great Britain, 1971, pp 262
Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Penguin Books, London, 1989, pp.212
Scramuzza, V. M. The Emperor Claudius. London, 1940 pp 92-93
Barrett, A. A. Agrippina: Sex, Power, and Politics in the Early Empire. New Haven, 1996 pp 139-142
Levick, B. Claudius. New Haven, 1990 pp 76-77
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