allartwehavedevoured:Because Claudius was afflicted with a limp and slight deafness due to sicknes
allartwehavedevoured: Because Claudius was afflicted with a limp and slight deafness due to sickness at a young age, his family ostracized him and excluded him from public office until his consulship, shared with his nephew Caligula in 37. Claudius’ infirmity probably saved him from the fate of many other nobles during the purges of Tiberius and Caligula’s reigns; potential enemies did not see him as a serious threat. His survival led to his being declared Emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula’s assassination, at which point he was the last adult male of his family. (Proclaiming Claudius Emperor by Lawrence Alma-Tadema) -- source link
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