Genre Fiction
![Robert Graves - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B000AQ4HVM.jpg)
Count Belisarius
A dazzling historical novel set in the sixth century AD, from I, Claudius author Robert Graves, and with a new introduction by novelist Lydia Kiesling.
The sixth-century Roman Empire is a dangerous place, threatened on all frontiers by invaders. But soon the attacking armies of Vandals, Goths, and Persians grow to fear and respect the name of one man, Belisarius: horseman, archer, swordsman, and military commander of genius. As Belisarius triumphs in battles from the East to North Africa, his success causes him to become regarded with increasing jealousy and suspicion. In his palace in Constantinople the Emperor Justinian, dominated by his wife Theodora, plots the great general's downfall. Written in the form of a biography by Belisarius's manservant, this epic historical novel portrays him as a lone man of honor in a corrupt world.
Seven Stories' Robert Graves Project spans fourteen titles, and includes fiction and nonfiction, adult, young adult, and children's books, in a striking new uniform design, with new introductions and afterwords. Count Belisarius joins our recent re-publication of The Reader Over Your Shoulder, Lawrence and the Arabs, The Golden Fleece, and Homer's Daughter. Among the works still to come are Hebrew Myths, Wife to Mr. Milton, and The Isles of Unwisdom. The online partner for the Robert Graves Project is RosettaBooks.
The sixth-century Roman Empire is a dangerous place, threatened on all frontiers by invaders. But soon the attacking armies of Vandals, Goths, and Persians grow to fear and respect the name of one man, Belisarius: horseman, archer, swordsman, and military commander of genius. As Belisarius triumphs in battles from the East to North Africa, his success causes him to become regarded with increasing jealousy and suspicion. In his palace in Constantinople the Emperor Justinian, dominated by his wife Theodora, plots the great general's downfall. Written in the form of a biography by Belisarius's manservant, this epic historical novel portrays him as a lone man of honor in a corrupt world.
Seven Stories' Robert Graves Project spans fourteen titles, and includes fiction and nonfiction, adult, young adult, and children's books, in a striking new uniform design, with new introductions and afterwords. Count Belisarius joins our recent re-publication of The Reader Over Your Shoulder, Lawrence and the Arabs, The Golden Fleece, and Homer's Daughter. Among the works still to come are Hebrew Myths, Wife to Mr. Milton, and The Isles of Unwisdom. The online partner for the Robert Graves Project is RosettaBooks.
Readers Top Reviews
PappashangaEnquir
I am new to Byzantine history but not to the codes of Justinian, having had to translate various of them in the course of studying Roman Law. Latin had become much simpler by then. This is an entertaining novel. How accurate the history is I will not venture to assess,although the hero must have been a pretty handy general. Belisarius is presented as an outstandingly decent and talented man amongst a bunch who would have done credit to those surrounding Hitler. Belisarius' relationship with Justinian is the most interesting study. When simplified it amounts to Justinian's ego resenting the success of his best general and doing as much harm to him as was possible without destroying him outright. Who knows what the truth was, but Graves's hypothesis is very plausible. The trumped up trial for treason has echoes in that of Ann Boleyn many centuries later. It is ironic that people so keen on an altruistic religion-Christianity- should be so selfish and hypocritical. But nothing changes. I feel better informed about Byzantine history, and certainly the Goths and Vandals come out of things well. Graves has a crisp,factual style and I admit I couldn't put the book down.
AthanPappashangaE
So my excuse is that I needed some light reading during my vacation, which was spent between two medieval forts on the Peloponnese. In school we'd all been taught about Justinian and Belisarius and my mom (though not my history teacher) had already told me that the great general had been recalled back to Constantinople before his business in Italy was finished because Justinian feared him. And there's stuff here that my mom never actually told me before, first and foremost that Justinian and Belisarius' wives used to run a, let us say, geisha house together before they contrived through marriage to run the Roman Empire. But I probably should have sought out an actual history book. In Greek. Instead, I spent my time translating everything in my head, as I was being re-introduced to Ioannis Kappadokis, the "Prasinoi" and the "Venetoi" of the "Stasi tou Nika" riots, Narses, sundry Huns and Goths, forgotten strands of Orthodox Christian heresy and bits of Italy like Rimini and Ravenna I'd once visited with my grandma. That said, I'm glad I read this. It kept me good company and it was easy to carry about during my travels and it reminded me, needless to say, of how lucky I am to live in the twenty first century!
Kindle JohnCharl
Although this book gives some insight into the life of Belisarius, it is too often biased and inaccurate. The prose can be pretentious and even torturous. But it is inexcusable to have so many mistakes, especially those that are repeated again and again (e.g., 'me' instead of 'the').
Book expertKindle
But I really didn’t enjoy the process of reading it. It was great history, and filled in some blanks for me but otherwise, it’s not an engrossing book. Still, because I am so glad I read it. I gave it a five.
WeezyJulian Sturg
Every single page has a typographical or typesetting error. Have never seen anything like it. They may have put a nice cover on it, but completely skipped the quality control. Graves is amazing as always but 2 stars for this shoddy edition.
