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→The career of Claudius
Claudius was a complex man who despite his intellectual labors, loved gambling and the games and under his reign. The games became even more lavish and spectacular. Claudius was the subject of several plots which led to the execution of several senators, despite his wish to be on good terms with the senatorial class. Claudius married his first cousin Valeria Messalina, but she proved unfaithful, according to the ancient sources and even bigamously married one of her many lovers. The couple conspired against Claudius, and he had them executed.
He later married his niece Agrippina the Younger.<ref> Tacitus, book vii, 45</ref> She had an enormous influence over Claudius and even persuaded him to appoint her son Nero, to the position of co-Emperor with his son, Britannicus. Agrippina the Younger most likely had Claudius poisoned. According to Tacitus, Claudius was succeeded by his step-son Nero who then murdered Claudius' son Britannicus. <ref> Tacitus, book vii, 15</ref>.
==== Expansion of the Empire====
