Appius Claudius Pulcher was adopted as an infant by the tribune Marcus Livius Drusus. In accordance with convention, his name was changed from Appius Claudius Pulcher to Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus, in honor of his adoptive father.

Drusus was praetor of Rome in 50 BC and presided over a court case brought under the Lex Scantinia. Caelius, writing to Cicero, seems to find the situation ironic. In 45 BC, Cicero had purchased gardens owned by Drusus in Rome. Drusus was a supporter of the Roman Republic and was among those who opposed the rule and dictatorship of Julius Caesar.In 42 BC, Drusus arranged for his daughter Livia to marry his kinsman Tiberius Claudius Nero.

Drusus became a supporter of Brutus and Cassius and joined them in the war against Octavian and Marcus Antonius. The decision would have serious consequences for Drusus and for Livia’s family. He fought alongside Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC.

When Brutus and Cassius were defeated, they committed suicide. Drusus killed himself in his tent to avoid being captured alive by the victors.

Claudius dedicated an inscription to honor his ancestor on the Greek island of Samos. This surviving inscription in Greek, hails Drusus as the "origin of many great and good works for the world" or "megiston agathon aition…en toi kosmoi". Claudius also honored Drusus with statues in Rome.

Gift med
Aufidia av Aufidii, född -80 i Fondi, Latina, Lazio, Italien, död -25 i Roma, Lazio, Italien.

Barn:
Livia Drusilla av Claudii, född -58, död 29