Claudius Carruthers

Claudius Augustus Carruthers was born June 6, 2220. The grandson of Emperor Maximian II. Claudius had just come of age as an Imperial Prince when his grandfather was deposed as Emperor and the Carruthers family was forced into exile by Jean Gerard (Gerard V). Claudius would stage a bloody coup and assassinate Emperor Gerard V in 2249, being named emperor on the spot. He would be arrested and executed for treason in 2257 following a bloody, eight year reign of terror.
 

Coup of 2249

While Maximian II chose not to fight for the throne following the coup of 2241, Claudius took it upon himself to arrange alliances with a number of minor houses with the intention of reclaiming the throne for himself. When Gerard V called for a meeting of the Convention of Houses to discuss possible reforms to the Imperial Charter in 2249, Claudius convinced his father and grandfather to send him as the legate of House Carruthers.
  Claudius and his allies would strike during a pre-conference gathering in the imperial throne room where attendees were allowed to carry their unsharpened ceremonial swords. Claudius and his allies had secretly sharpened their blades, potentially with the knowledge of bribed members of the Imperial Guard.
  Approaching the Emperor, Claudius waited until he was to meters away before drawing his sword. Gerard stammered in disbelief for a brief moment before Claudius gripped his head by the hair and drove the sword upwards into his chest. This was the signal to the conspirators to move into action, quickly drawing their own swords to disarm the Imperial Guard that were loyal to Gerard.
  Claudius twisted the blade in Gerard’s chest, forcing him to his knees before kicking him backwards off the sword and onto the steps of the dais. He would roll Gerard onto his back, placing a foot on his chest to hold him still while slitting his throat. Claudius would continue onto the dais, using Gerard as a step, whereupon he would announce “The Emperor is dead.” His supporters responded, “Long live Emperor Claudius,” which the other stunned houses echoed somewhat hesitantly as Claudius sat on the throne.
  Thus began the systematic execution of all members of House Gerard, as well as any of the Imperial Guard which would not immediately swear loyalty to the new Emperor. The only members of House Gerard to escape were Theodore Gerard, who was living in exile on Centadi and at 75 years old was not considered a threat. Constantius Gerard was three years old at the time, and again, not considered a threat. As insurance, Claudius spared the life of Louis Gerard, who at five years old would be held as a hostage to ensure the forces of House Gerard didn’t do anything foolish.
     

Full Title

The full imperial title in use by Claudius at the time of his arrest was as follows:
His Almighty Imperial Majesty, Imperator Caesar Claudius Augustus Carruthers Romulus Constantine Amun, Lord of House Carruthers, Slayer of House Gerard, the Bane of Traitors, Avenger of his House, Wielder of the Imperial Hammer, Lord Grand Admiral of the Fleets, Lord of Ten Thousand Worlds, King of Solaria, Lord of Eridu, Lord Protector of Jerusalem, king of kings, prince of princes, father of god, absolute imperial ruler of the Terran Imperium and all its subjects, Claudius.      

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