Despite being of patrician descent, he supported the plebeian wish for a code of laws, and while in office shared power with their representatives. His decemviral code survived the overthrow of the decemvirs ca 449 BC. He was claimed to have been murdered or committed suicide as a consequence of his lust for Verginia, but the historical facts are scanty and dubious.
This Appius Claudius should not be confused with Appius Claudius Caecus (PW 91), a censor in 312 BC, or Appius Claudius Caudex (PW 102), a consul in 264 BC.