I, Claudius From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius Born 10 B.C. Murdered and Deified A.D. 54 (Vintage International)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - all 395 pages of it, but I have to admit that the most thumbed pages were those in the back which contain a few maps, but more importantly, a detailed family tree. I found it difficult at first to remember how the characters were related to each other as they constantly employ the same names through the generations. Much of the book contained background family history, often referring to Agrippa, Agrippina and Agripinilla in a short space, not to mention those who had a given name but were called something entirely different! However, having mastered the family tree, the story itself is a masterpiece. Having read 'The Twelve Caesars' by Suetonius, it is clear where Graves obtained many of the facts, but they are woven into the story quite effortlessly. The descriptions of Roman life, seen through the eyes of a young Claudius almost convinced me that it was an exciting age to have lived in, as the Romans seemed to be organised, disciplined and a no-nonsense people, but beneath the surface was a total disregard for anyone who got in the way, including many members of the Imperial family who were poisoned, stabbed or exiled if they failed to live up to expectation or were perceived to be traitors. Claudius himself, never wishing to be a great leader, is content to be a writer and keep out of everyone's way. In this role, Graves allows him to be a commentator on the Senate, the games, the triumphs and the fall of many characters he lived alongside. His disabilities made sure others more important ignored him, little realising that Claudius had, in fact, a quick mind and was very observant. The book ends as Claudius becomes Emperor and neatly steers the reader towards 'Claudius the God'. If you are interested in Roman history,'I,Claudius' is a good place to start.

Very good seller and a great book. Well packed and prompt delivery. Highly recommend.

INTRO: Entertaining AND Educational I, CLAVDIVS (Romans did not have the letter U) by Robert Graves manages to fulfill for me my two objectives for reading this wonderful novel: (1) entertainment and (2) education. The novel is written from the perspective of CLAVDIVS, and it provides a fascinating exploration of the beginnings of the Roman Empire. GRIPPING SCENES Some of the scenes in the novels are gripping (and historically accurate!). In particular, I enjoyed the part when TIBERIVS is reading a letter from his brother DRVSVS that is critical of LIVIA and Emperor AVGVSTVS. TIBERIVS is forced to read the letter out loud. Another part that stands out is when Emperor CALIGVLA is undergoing his metamorphosis from a mere mortal to a god. Some characters are hilarious such as CLAVDIVS'S wife VRGVLANILLA. COMPELLING CHARACTERS Speaking of characters, I left this novel with a deep respect for GERMANICVS (brother of CLAVDIVS and father of CALIGVLA). Another gripping portion of the novel is when GERMANICVS'S palace is being haunted with unlucky signs "scrawled on the walls in charcoal." Worse, dead animals and "the corpse of a baby, the belly painted red and horns tied to the forehead" beneath loose tiles. These occurred immediately prior to his unfortunate death. Another character worth mentioning of course is CALIGVLA. He stuffed the body of the tallest man in the world, an eleven-foot Parthian, and dressed him in armor to display him outside his bed-chamber door to frighten off assassins. He would dress as different gods depending upon his whims and possessed an incomprehensible wickedness. To suggest CALIGULA was mad would be a remarkable understatement. He was demonic, cruel, and psychotic. Let me briefly, then, discuss our Emperor, CLAVDIVS. CLAVDIVS the lame, the stutter, the idiot. Well, his character teaches us never to underestimate someone based upon some sort of defect (inability to speak well, limp, physical handicap). He was a historian and scholar. An enjoyable part of the novel is when he was in the Apollo Library and the historians LIVY and POLLIO come along. An interesting conversation emerges on historical writing and the difference between readability and accuracy. Should we prefer reading history that is less accurate but poetic or history that is written with diligence and correctly records events? ROMAN v. GERMAN The novel teaches a great deal of the difference between the German warring tribes and the discipline of the Roman legions. The Roman military was extraordinarily disciplined, yet floggings and paying soldiers were considered base by the Germans. The Germans, however, would promise glory and plunder to inspire their troops. The Germans were "chaste in their morals" while Roman officers "openly practiced vices." It was very interesting to learn about the ...

This book is a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman politics I was horrified and enthralled at the same time a remarkable work

Through the voice of Graves, Claudius, or even better, Tiberius Caludius Drusus Nero Germanicus, later Emperor of Rome, tells us his story, a story of precarious survival in a world of intrigue, betrayal, lies and dangerous madmen (and madwomen). Sickly, limp, deaf in one ear, and stammering, Claudius is right from his birth a shy, timorous and diminished boy. In consequence, almost everybody believes him to be hopelessly stupid. Everybody rejects him, except his beloved older brother Germanicus and his friend Postumus, but even these treat him only as their poor protege. His parents tend to his needs, but nothing else. His grandmother Livia, the most fascinating character in the book, despises and hates him. All the rest simply mock or ignore him. Claudius, with his peculiar and acid sense of humor, tells us the story beginning two generations before his birth. At the end of the Civil War provoked by Julius Ceasar, Augustus (originally Octavian) attains victory and installs him as de-facto Emperor of Rome (it would be centuries later that the pretensions of Republican institutions would be officially disappeared). Livia, a woman sick with ambition and lust for power, divorces Claudius's grandfather and marries Augustus. Thus begins a story of centralization of power, of poisonings and blackmailing, of a power-behind-the-throne which makes Lady Macbeth look like an innocent school girl. Livia is a portent: she possesses incredible political and administrative skills, and she becomes the perfect partner of the noble, capable, but sometimes naive Augustus, who consults with her every matter. Augustus plays good cop: he is honest and magnanimous, the friendly face of the regime. Livia does all the dirty work, with dedication and efficiency. For a moment, the Empire ceases its expansionist efforts, and the resources are dedicated to consolidation of frontiers and to the strengthening of infrastructure and administrative apparatus. A spirit of sacrifice and service prevails. Heroes abound, remarkably Drusus, Claudius's father, and then Germanicus, the older brother and true Hero of Rome. Both men preserve ideas about Republican restoration, something they will pay dearly for. While many things are passing, Claudius grows up silently in the shadow. Little by little, some people (his two friends, his two servants and his two teachers) discover that the family fool is in fact a clever, observant, just and gentle guy. But no one else notices, which is exactly what saves his life, since no one envies him or feels he is a threat. When he is thirteen, still living in Rome, Claudius falls in love with an angelical creature, his soulmate, to whom he is promised in marriage. I won't spoil for you what happens the day of the wedding, but suffice it to say that his subsequent married life will be horrible. During the following years, Cla...