Claudius (klaw'di-ŭs). Tiberius Claudius Nero Drusus Germanicus, the son of Nero Drusus, born at Lyons 9 or 10 b.c.; became fourth Roman emperor on the assassination of Caius Caligula, and reigned 41-54 a.d. He was a weak and indolent man, and was poisoned by his fourth wife, Agrippina. Several famines occurred in the reign of Claudius, one of which extended to Palestine and Syria. Acts 11:28-30. And there was an edict of his which, in consequence of a tumult, expelled the Jews from Rome. Acts 18:2. It is not agreed when this edict was issued. It is variously assigned to years between 49 and 53 a.d.