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Claudius attempted to foster a good relationship with the Senate. He may have sought the support of that body in the early years of his reign. However, it seems that many in the elite had become disillusioned with the Imperial system and even wanted a return to some form of Republican government <ref>Osgood, p 101</ref>. There were many plots and attempts to foster rebellions during the reign of Claudius. According to Suetonius, the Emperor had some 35 Senators executed for treason during his reign <ref> Suetonius, Life of Claudius, 29</ref>. This possibly led to Claudius to favor freedmen, rather than Senators when it came to his government. The Emperor used his position as Censor to purge the rolls of the Senate in an effort ostensibly to reform that body, but also no doubt to place those loyal to him in the assembly. One of the most significant reforms of Claudius was his insistence on admitting non-Italians into the Senate. He had several Gaul’s admitted to the senatorial rolls. According to Tacitus he firmly believed that a pluralist and multicultural Senate was essential for the future of Rome. He believed that Rome had to admit those outsiders who were loyal to stay vital and strong. According to Tacitus, he believed that the reason why Sparta and Athens fell was that they would not admit immigrants and outsiders to a share of power and allowing provincials to become senators would safeguard the Empire<ref>Tacitus, vi, 17</ref>. Claudius prevailed and during and after his reign non-Italians became Senators. His policy, further integrated provincial elites into the Roman system but also over time, which as he predicted greatly benefitted the Empire.
==Conclusion==
Claudius was in many ways a strange Emperor. He was a bizarre an unusual character and undoubtedly probably had some disability, moreover, his private life was dysfunctional. However, he made a major contribution to the peace, stability and the prosperity of the Roman Empire. He expanded the Empire and strengthened the frontiers and the provinces that he annexed would eventually provide Rome with soldiers, taxes and natural resources. Claudius did much to centralize power in Rome and this is evident in his administrative reforms and he also helped to create a more professional and effective Imperial government. His religious reforms sought to preserve Roman traditions and were similar to those initiated by Augustus. However, Claudius was also an innovator and he opened up the Senate to non-Italians and this was very important in securing the loyalty of provincials’ elites and helped to unify the Empire. Overall, Claudius was an effective Emperor.
==Recommended Reading==
McAlindon, Denis. "Senatorial opposition to Claudius and Nero." The American Journal of Philology 77, no. 2 (1956): 113-132.
