Page "Claudius" Paragraph 14

Because he was proclaimed Emperor on the initiative of the Praetorian Guard instead of the Senate — the first Emperor thus proclaimed — Claudius ' repute suffered at the hands of commentators ( such as Seneca ).

Moreover, he was the first Emperor who resorted to bribery as a means to secure army loyalty.

Tiberius and Augustus had both left gifts to the army and guard in their wills, and upon Caligula's death the same would have been expected, even if no will existed.

Claudius remained grateful to the guard, however, issuing coins with tributes to the Praetorians in the early part of his reign.