Abstract
The emperors of the first century AD appear in our sources as far from perfect,
but some of them seem to have been less than perfect rulers, not due to any
physical disability, but due to the simple fact that they may have been too old or
too young to have performed the role effectively. This observation allows us to
consider how age may have been seen to prevent the effective agency of a Roman
emperor. This study of age and agency is played out with reference to the emperor
Claudius, whose disability affected how he was treated by other members of the
imperial family. We will argue that age caused emperors to become unable to act,
and if too old to be at risk of being deposed. This is a quite different conception
of disability than those previously published in the study of Antiquity.
but some of them seem to have been less than perfect rulers, not due to any
physical disability, but due to the simple fact that they may have been too old or
too young to have performed the role effectively. This observation allows us to
consider how age may have been seen to prevent the effective agency of a Roman
emperor. This study of age and agency is played out with reference to the emperor
Claudius, whose disability affected how he was treated by other members of the
imperial family. We will argue that age caused emperors to become unable to act,
and if too old to be at risk of being deposed. This is a quite different conception
of disability than those previously published in the study of Antiquity.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Infirmity in antiquity and the Middle Ages |
Subtitle of host publication | social and cultural approaches to health, weakness and care |
Editors | Christian Krötzl, Katariina Mustakallio, Jenni Kuuliala |
Place of Publication | Farnham, UK |
Publisher | Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group |
Pages | 15-27 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781315588469 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781472438348 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |