Claudius married his niece Agrippina in 49 AD
In 49 AD Claudius married his niece Agrippina the Younger — Caligula's sister — in an avunculate marriage condemned even by Roman standards.
Where this was said
Pick A Team
At 44:54 · chapter starts 42:34
Among Claudius's stranger edicts is the formal legalisation of public flatulence, motivated by genuine medical concern about the dangers of holding in gas. The hosts riff on whether this is a Protestant (hold it in) vs Catholic (let it out) cultural divide. Researcher Charlie adds scientific weight: suppressed flatulence is reabsorbed by the gut and can travel to the lungs, emerging as a particularly pungent burp. [1] — Fin Taylor "Claudius issued a historic edict legalising public farting, driven by genuine medical concern about the dangers of holding in gas. The host…" 41:44 Flush with success after his harbour project, Claudius then overreaches: he commissions the draining of Lake Fucino to create agricultural land, a project requiring 30,000 workers and 11 years of excavation. When the drainage tunnel is finally opened, it fails to drain the lake and instead causes a catastrophic tidal wave that sends everyone fleeing for their lives. The hosts diagnose it as hubris — 'Blair in Kosovo.'
Lake Fucino drainage: 30,000 workers, 11 years
Claudius's attempt to drain Lake Fucino to create agricultural land required 30,000 workers and 11 years, but the tunnel collapsed and caused a tidal wave.
Agrippina the Younger: The Real Power Behind Nero
Agrippina the Younger — niece and fourth wife of Claudius, sister of Caligula — married Claudius in 49 AD and immediately began positioning her son Nero as successor. She had Claudius adopt Nero, then allegedly had Claudius killed when he began showing more favour to his own biological son Britannicus.
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