The Ides of March was only the beginning. Whether the cause was treason, ill luck or ineptitude, it was a rare thing for a Roman ruler to die of old age

Words: Emma Slattery Williams

THE RIDICULOUS WAYS ROMAN EMPERORS HAVE KICKED THE BUCKET

CLAUDIUS

RULED AD 41-54

Claudius was the man who added Britain to the Roman Empire, though he was ridiculed by his family from a young age and suffered poor health – possibly from cerebral palsy. It’s thought that he was poisoned by his power-hungry wife, Agrippina the Younger, either via deadly mushrooms or a venom-laced feather. Agrippina wanted to ensure that her son, Nero, would succeed over Claudius’s son, Britannicus. She got her wish, planting one of the empire’s greatest tyrants on the throne.

Claudius struggled with ill health, which led many to think he would be a weak emperor. He was not

VESPASIAN RULED AD 69-79

Little is known about the 10-year rule of Vespasian, but we have him to thank for the magnificent Colosseum, which was known in his day as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Used for centuries for gladiatorial combat, executions, mock battles and plays, today it is one of the most visited sites in Rome. After a short illness, Vespasian died in the arms of his helpers, proclaiming his belief that he was transforming into a god.