The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70 · External witness
Emperor Claudius
d. AD 54 · Roman Emperor (41–54) · Rome
External witness
Who Emperor Claudius was
The scholar-emperor under whom the church first crossed imperial paperwork: “there came one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar” — and “Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome,” the expulsion (Suetonius: “impulsore Chresto,” at the instigation of Chrestus) that sent Aquila and Priscilla to Corinth and Paul. He never knowingly ruled on Christians; his edicts moved them like weather. Poisoned, the historians say, by his wife’s mushrooms, and succeeded by her son Nero.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses and roman emperors.
Common questions
When did Emperor Claudius die?
Emperor Claudius is dated d. AD 54 in the archive, which places Emperor Claudius in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70).
Which early sources mention Emperor Claudius?
Emperor Claudius is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke and Suetonius. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Emperor Claudius from?
The archive associates Emperor Claudius with Rome.
Who were Emperor Claudius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Emperor Claudius to 5 other figures, including Aquila of Pontus, Prisca (Priscilla), Agabus the Prophet and Emperor Nero. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Life of Claudius 25
c. AD 121Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.Suetonius · read ↗
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Emperor Claudius.
- 1Rome