Marcus Livius Drusus
Little is known about the circumstances leading to Claudianus's adoption by Marcus Livius Drusus. He was unusually young at the time of adoption (likely a small child, if not an infant), as most other adoption in ancient Rome happened with the adoptee as adults. In accordance with convention, his name was changed from "Appius Claudius Pulcher" to "Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus", in honour of his adoptive father. Drusus may have been married to a Servilia at the time, whom would have been Claudianus adoptive mother. Since the death of his adopted father's sister Livia Drusa, he was likely raised together with her children Servilia Major, Gnaeus Servilius Caepio, Servilia Minor, Porcia and Cato in Drusus's household. Drusus was assassinated in 91 BC and Claudianus presumably inherited all his immense wealth.