Editing Claudius (section)

=== Plots and coup attempts ===
Several coup attempts were made during Claudius's reign, resulting in the deaths of many senators. [[Appius Silanus]] was executed early in Claudius's reign under questionable circumstances.{{sfn|Suetonius|loc=Claudius 29}} Shortly after this, a large rebellion was undertaken by the Senator [[Lucius Annius Vinicianus|Vinicianus]] and [[Lucius Arruntius Camillus Scribonianus|Scribonianus]] - governor of [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]] - and gained quite a few senatorial supporters. It ultimately failed because of the reluctance of Scribonianus' troops, which led to the suicide of the main conspirators.

Many other senators tried different conspiracies and were condemned. Claudius's son-in-law [[Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (husband of Claudia Antonia)|Pompeius Magnus]] was executed for his part in a conspiracy with his father [[Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi (consul 27)|Crassus Frugi]]. Another plot involved the consulars [[Quintus Futius Lusius Saturninus|Lusius Saturninus]], [[Cornelius Lupus]], and Pompeius Pedo.

In 46, [[Gaius Asinius Gallus Saloninus#Family|Asinius Gallus]], grandson of [[Gaius Asinius Pollio (consul 40 BC)|Asinius Pollio]], and [[Titus Statilius Taurus Corvinus]] were exiled for a plot hatched with several of Claudius's own freedmen. [[Valerius Asiaticus]] was executed without public trial for unknown reasons. Ancient sources say the charge was [[adultery]], and that Claudius was tricked into issuing the punishment. However, Claudius singles out Asiaticus for special damnation in his speech on the Gauls, which dates over a year later, suggesting that the charge must have been much more serious.

Asiaticus had been a claimant to the throne in the chaos following Caligula's death and a co-consul with Titus Statilius Taurus Corvinus. Most of these conspiracies took place before Claudius's term as [[Roman censor|Censor]], and may have induced him to review the Senatorial rolls. The conspiracy of [[Gaius Silius]] in the year after his Censorship, 48, is detailed in book 11 of Tacitus' Annals. This section of Tacitus' history narrates the alleged conspiracy of Claudius's third wife, [[Messalina]]. Suetonius states that a total of 35 senators and 300 knights were executed for offenses during Claudius's reign.{{sfn|Suetonius|loc=Claudius 29}}