“[Claudius, emperor of Rome from 41-54 C.E.,] invented three new letters and added them to the alphabet, maintaining that they were greatly needed. He published a book on their theory when he was still in private life, and when he became Emperor had no difficulty in bringing about their general use. These characters may still be seen in numerous books, in the record of daily events, and in inscriptions on public buildings.”


—Suetonius, The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, translation and footnote by Joseph Gavorse, 1931.