According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Emperor Claudius considered passing a decree allowing people to pass gas at dinner parties after learning of a man who endangered his health by holding it in out of politeness.
Emperor Claudius Nearly Legalized Farting at Dinner
In the annals of Roman history, Emperor Claudius is remembered for conquering Britain, expanding citizenship, and building aqueducts. But according to one ancient historian, he also nearly became the patron saint of breaking wind at dinner.
The Deadly Danger of Holding It In
The story comes from Suetonius, the Roman historian famous for his gossipy biographies of the Caesars. In his account, Claudius heard about a man who had become seriously ill—nearly dying—because he was too embarrassed to pass gas during a formal dinner.
This apparently concerned the emperor enough that he considered issuing an official edict permitting flatulence at banquets. The logic was practical: better a social faux pas than a medical emergency.
Was Claudius Serious?
Historians debate whether this story is:
- A genuine policy consideration by a health-conscious emperor
- Roman satirical commentary on Claudius's perceived eccentricities
- Pure invention by Suetonius to entertain readers
Suetonius wrote his biographies decades after the events, and he wasn't above including salacious rumors alongside verified facts. He clearly enjoyed portraying Claudius as bumbling and odd.
The Medical Reality
Here's the thing—Claudius may have been onto something. While you can't actually die from holding in gas, doing so consistently can cause significant discomfort, bloating, and in rare cases, contribute to diverticulitis or other digestive issues.
The trapped gas has to go somewhere. If not released naturally, it gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream and eventually exhaled through the lungs. Your body finds a way.
Roman Dining Etiquette
Roman banquets were already fairly relaxed affairs by modern standards. Guests reclined on couches, ate with their hands, and weren't shy about bodily functions. Vomiting to make room for more food was reportedly common at excessive feasts.
So a decree permitting flatulence wouldn't have been as shocking to Romans as it sounds to us. It would have simply been officially sanctioning what probably already happened.
Claudius's Complicated Legacy
The farting decree story fits a pattern in how ancient sources portrayed Claudius. They depicted him as physically awkward, easily manipulated, and prone to bizarre decisions. Modern historians have largely rehabilitated his reputation, recognizing him as an effective administrator.
But the gas story endures because it's memorable. Two thousand years later, we're still talking about it—which is more than can be said for most imperial decrees.
Whether or not Claudius actually considered legalizing dinner table flatulence, the story reminds us that even emperors had to deal with the most human of problems. And sometimes, the solution is just to let it go.