The Claudian Tables

The Claudian Tables, also known as the Claudian Tables, are a set of texts inscribed on bronze plaques that date to Roman times. They were discovered in Lyon, France, in 1528. These inscriptions offer a unique perspective on the history and administration of Roman Gaul in the 1st century CE.

The Claudian Tables consist of seven plaques inscribed in Latin, which mainly record decrees and edicts issued by the Roman Emperor Claudius. These decrees dealt with various subjects, such as Roman citizenship, taxation, the regulation of local cults, and other administrative matters concerning the province of Gaul.

Roman citizenship granted to Gallic notables

One of the major inscriptions in the Claudian Tables is the speech of the Emperor Claudius, thought to have taken place around 48 or 49 CE, in which he granted Roman citizenship to Gallic notables, an important event in the history of Gaul. This had a significant impact on Gallic society by elevating the status of many Gaulish inhabitants within the Roman Empire.

Weight and dimensions

This bronze plaque, which must have measured 2.50 metres in height and weighed 225 kg, was probably commissioned by this same council. However, only half of this plaque was found on the slopes of Croix-Rousse in November 1528… This half of the table is currently preserved at the Gallo-Roman Museum.

The Street of the Claudian Tables

In memory of the Claudian Tables and their historical importance for the city and Roman Gaul, a street was named "Rue des Tables Claudiennes". This street is located in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, not far from the site where the Claudian Tables were first discovered. It pays tribute to this major archaeological discovery and its link with the history of Lyon and Roman Gaul.

Cast copy

It is also possible to see a cast copy in the courtyard of the Printing Museum (Lyon)

Morburre, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Morburre, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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