A Roman citizen, originally of Asia Minor, and sent on a deputation to Rome by his compatriots, could not answer in Latin the emperor's questions.

Claudius took away his privileges, saying, "He is no Roman citizen who is ignorant of the language of Rome." Claudius, however, was neither liberal nor humane towards a notable portion of the Gallic populations, to wit, the Druids.

During his stay in Gaul he proscribed them and persecuted them without intermission; forbidding, under pain of death, their form of worship and every exterior sign of their ceremonies.

He drove them away and pursued them even into Great Britain, whither he conducted, A.D.43, a military expedition, almost the only one of his reign, save the continued struggle of his lieutenants on the Rhine against the Germans.

It was evidently amongst the corporation of Druids and under the influence of religious creeds and traditions, that there was still pursued and harbored some of the old Gallic spirit, some passion for national independence, and some hatred of the Roman yoke.