History

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, also known as Claudius (1 august 10B.C.  October 54A.D.) was the fourth Roman emperor. He was born in Lugdunum in Gaul, the first emperor to be born outside the confines of Italy.

According to some historians, he was afflicted with some disease or disability, and indeed his family excluded him from engaging in politics or running for the Roman Senate. In 37 A.D., he became first consul (together with his nephew Caligula) of the Roman Republic. Caligula, the brutal emperor, launched a series of purges both in the Roman Senate and Army. Claudius was spared because of his weak political base. After Caligulas assassination, the Praetorian Guard declared him emperor. He was at that time, the last surviving adult male of the Julian dynasty. Claudius reluctantly accepted the position. He feared that the Senate would censure him because of his perceived involvement in controversial issues.

Although he lacked political experience, he proved to be an efficient and able administrator. He reformed the tax system, built numerous public buildings, enlarged the army, and built a series of fortifications along the line Rhine and Mesopotamia. During his time, the empire expanded into the Western part of Germany and Arabia. He was instrumental in the conquest of Britain. The emperor proved to be wise and condescending. He took a personal interest in law, presided at public trials of prominent officials, and issued almost 20 imperial edicts daily. Suetonius wrote
As soon as his power was firmly established, he considered it of foremost importance to obliterate the memory of the two days when men had thought of changing the form of government. Accordingly he made a decree that all that had been done and said during that period should be pardoned and forever forgotten he kept his word too, save only that a few of the tribunes and centurions who had conspired against Gaius were put to death, both to make an example of them and because he knew p23that they had also demanded his own death (Suetonius, 25).

He was though personally paranoid with power. Some senators aspired to be emperor. Claudius was forced to approve the assassination of several senators including Marcus, a prominent orator. Public suspicion of his political treachery damaged his reputation, although recently this has been revised.

In The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Suetonius depicted Claudius as a silent aspirant of the throne the power to be in the Julian dynasty. He was though meek and timid, the qualities of a weak leader.

Suetonius wrote
For a long time, even after he reached the age of independence, he was in a state of pupilage and under a guardian, of whom he himself makes complaint in a book of his, saying that he was a barbarian and a former chief of muleteers, put in charge of him for the express p9purpose of punishing him with all possible severity for any cause whatever. It was also because of his weak health that contrary to all precedent he wore a cloak when he presided at the gladiatorial games which he and his brother gave in honor of their father and on the day when he assumed the gown of manhood he was taken in a litter to the Capitol about midnight without the usual escort (Suetonius, 12).

He was undoubtedly a shadow member of the Julian family. His meekness and youth prevented him from advancing to positions of political significance. Public office to him was a matter of public choice. Indeed, he wanted to take a more progressive role in the state  to serve with the best of his abilities.

Suetonius continued
His paternal uncle Tiberius gave him the consular regalia, when he asked for office but when he urgently requested the actual position, Tiberius merely replied by a note in these words Ihave sent you forty gold-pieces for the Saturnalia and the Sigillaria. Then at last Claudius abandoned all hope of advancement and gave himself up to idleness, living in obscurity now in his house and gardens in the suburbs, and sometimes at a villa in Campania moreover from his intimacy with the lowest of men he incurred the reproach of drunkenness and gambling, in addition to his former reputation for dullness. Yet all this time, despite his conduct, he never lacked attention from individuals or respect from the public (Suetonius, 20).

Unlike Emperor Tiberius, the equestrian order made him their patron. He was asked to head a deputation on their behalf. The consuls granted the equestrian order the privilege of carrying Augustus body to Rome on their shoulders. The Roman Senate was also fond of the youthful Claudius. The Senate overwhelmingly chose Claudius to be a special member of the priests of Augustus. Claudius was overjoyed with the news. Tiberius however asked the senate to repeal the second decree because of Claudius infirmity. It seemed that Claudius political career was sealed. Then, Emperor Tiberius died. The emperor named Claudius his third degree heir. Much of the emperors property went to him as well as his wealth outside Italy.

In I, Claudius, the emperor was portrayed as an energetic politician, translating letter for the residents of Trent and Alexandria. Claudius became emperor by virtue of lineage and power. Here are the mishaps of the novel
Augustus is depicted as a kind man, oppressed by sadist wife
Claudius was easily ruled by his wives and the Praetorian Guard
He was capricious and less understandable
And, those executed during the reign of Claudius were innocent.

These allegations were entirely unfounded. Claudius was strong-hearted in the sense that he was able to enact policies against the strong opposition of leading senators and generals. His wives were submissive. The Praetorian Guard, while politically irritating, was kept at bay. And, many of those executed during Claudius reign were charged with non-political crimes. These accusations against Claudius are historically inaccurate.

Suetonius depiction of Claudius is historically accurate because 1) much of the writing was based on earlier accounts of the emperor, 2) Suetonius did not show any form of bias in the document, and 3) his statements were supported by leading Roman historians.

Conclusion
The difference between I, Claudius and The Twelve Caesars in the portrayal of Claudius is that the former viewed Claudius as an immoral, brutal, and incompetent leader while the latter a magnanimous patron of the state.