A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

13. P.ClaudiusApp. F. C. N. PULCHIER, the first of this gens who bore that surname, was the second son of No. 10. He possessed in a more than ordinary degree most of the worst characteristics of this family. He was elected consul in B. C. 249, and commanded the fleet sent to reinforce the troops at Lilybaeum. In defiance of the auguries, he attacked the Carthaginian fleet lying in the harbour of Drepana, but was entirely defeated, with the loss of almost all his forces. (Plb. 1.49, &c. ; Cic. De Divin. i. 16, 2.8, 33; Schol. Bob. in Cic. p. 337, ed. Orell.; Liv. xix.; Suet. Tib. 2.) Claudius was recalled and commanded to appoint a dictator. He named M. Claudius Glycias or Glicia, the son of a freedman. but the nomination was immediately superseded. (Suet. Tib. 2; Fasti Capit.) P. Claudius was accused of high treason, and, according to Polybius (1.52) and Cicero (de Nat. Deor. 2.3), was severely punished. According to other accounts (Schol. Bob. l.c. ; V. Max. 8.1.4), a thunder-storm which happened stopped the proceedings; but he was impeached a second time and fined. He did not long survive his disgrace. He was dead before B. C. 246. [CLAUDIA, No. 1.] The probability is that he killed himself. (V. Max. 1.4.3.)