I Claudius - Robert Graves

Posted : 1 year, 8 months ago at Mar 8 22:40

I, Claudius is like a modern day soap, spent in Ancient Rome. Murder, adultery, perversion and corruption rule the day. This is a semi-ficticious book, in that it is based on many real sources (Suetonius' 12 Caesars, Plutarch and Tacitus), but it’s given a lot of creative licence by Graves. The story is written like a hidden autobiography of the Emperor Claudius, describing the scandals and atrocities that surround him, as he survives throughout. Claudius plays upon his stutter and lameness in order to fire rumours of his stupidity, and decrease chances of his assassination. Graves takes a sympathetic view of Claudius, through the rule of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and his own succession. The character of Caligula is endlessly entertaining, driven mad by a brain disease...he ...Read more

Rating : 10/10