Lyon Tablet

Because of its impressive dimensions, the Claudian Table is difficult to miss. This imposing bronze plaque presents the speech given in Latin in the year 48 by the emperor Claudius to the Senate in Rome on behalf of the Gallic elite. They wanted to acquire the same rights as Roman citizens in order to participate in the Senate and enter the dominant political class.
Only the lower part, which is broken into two fragments, remains.

Locate in the museum

Ouvrir la galerie dans une nouvelle fenêtre — © SOMNOLET Philippe

What?
Bronze (lost wax cast)
W. 193 cm; Thickness. 0.8 cm; H. 139 cm; Weight 222.5 kg

When?
48 A.D.

Where?
Europe / France / Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / Rhône department / Lyon / Lyon 1st arrondissement / Croix-Rousse

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History of the work

The Claudian Table was discovered in 1528 on Croix-Rousse Hill next to what is now St. Polycarpe church. The following year, it was purchased by the Consulate of Lyon.

Claudius, an emperor who welcomed foreigners

Born in 10 B.C. in the Roman colony of Lugdunum, the emperor Claudius governed from 41-54 A.D. He had close ties with his native city, which adopted his name during his reign. Was this a favorable factor for the Gauls? Or was the emperor already open to welcoming foreigners? The philosopher Seneca reproached Claudius ironically when he wrote that the emperor wanted to see the entire world wearing togas and that if people paid attention to him, there would be no more foreigners in the Empire !