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How did Claudius secure the loyalty of the Roman army after becoming emperor?
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Claudius
Claudius I, detail of a bust found near Priverno; in the Vatican Museums.
After the murder of the emperor Caligula in 41 CE, Claudius secured the loyalty of the Roman army—specifically the Praetorian Guard—by emphasizing his friendship with the troops and paying them cash for his proclamation as emperor.12
While the Senate remained largely ambiguous toward his sudden accession, the military served as his primary base of support. By providing these financial incentives, Claudius solidified his position with the imperial household troops who had discovered him in the palace and declared him emperor.21