Publius Claudius Pulcher (consul 249 BC)

Publius Claudius Pulcher was a Roman politician and military leader of the family of Claudius. He was probably the son of the politician Appius Claudius caudex ( it is also called, chronologically questionable, Appius Claudius Caecus than his father ) and the first Claudian, which the cognomen Pulcher ( "pretty" ) was given.

It was in the year 253 BC kurulischer aedile and in the year 249 BC consul. As consul he had the command of the Roman fleet in the First Punic War. He lost the battle of Drepana against the Carthaginians, allegedly because he ignored a bad omen, as some chickens to feed refused. According to Suetonius and Cicero Claudius threw them into the water, ut biberent, quando esse nollent ("so they drink, if they do not want to eat "). He was recalled to Rome and instructed to appoint a dictator. The nomination of his subordinates Marcus Claudius Glicia was overruled. He was the incompetence and lack of piety accused and punished with a fine. He died a short time later, possibly by suicide.

The legendary Claudia Quinta was possibly his daughter.