This study is the first major work in English in 50 years on the subject of the Emperor Claudius and, with the aid of modern research, the author is able to build on the work of Momigliano, Graves and Scramuzza. Far from seeing Claudius as a reluctant emperor, wedded to Republican ideals, who could hardly tear himself away from his books, Dr Levick portrays him as a frustrated politician. From the moment of his violent succession after the murder of Caligula to the final death roll of 35 senators and 321 knights, his reign marks a fresh step towards monarchy. Claudius and his court were politicians struggling to keep themselves in power, unable to escape the weakness of a usurping regime.