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I, Claudius (Claudius #1)
From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius, Born 10 B.C., Murdered and Deified A.D. 54:
Considered an idiot because of his physical infirmities, Claudius survived the intrigues and poisonings of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and the Mad Caligula to become emperor in 41 A.D. Historical novel set in 1st-century-AD Rome by Robert Graves, published in 1934. The book ...more
Considered an idiot because of his physical infirmities, Claudius survived the intrigues and poisonings of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and the Mad Caligula to become emperor in 41 A.D. Historical novel set in 1st-century-AD Rome by Robert Graves, published in 1934. The book ...more
Paperback, 468 pages
Published
October 12th 1977
by Vintage
(first published 1934)
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I Claudius reviewed by Manny :
- Claudius, come here, sit down right by me, don't be shy.
- O o o o o oh, M-m-m-m-m-
- Yes?
- essalina!
I Claudius reviewed by Mariel :
All i can dream about is rabbits every day. every day rabbits. i can't tell you why.
I Claudius reviewed by Ian Graye :
You've seen The Sopranos, so you think you know about gangsters.
But Imperial Rome didn't get its re...more
- Claudius, come here, sit down right by me, don't be shy.
- O o o o o oh, M-m-m-m-m-
- Yes?
- essalina!
I Claudius reviewed by Mariel :
All i can dream about is rabbits every day. every day rabbits. i can't tell you why.
I Claudius reviewed by Ian Graye :
You've seen The Sopranos, so you think you know about gangsters.
But Imperial Rome didn't get its re...more
Things had to have been boring in ancient Rome with no TV, internet or video games. But after reading I, Claudius, I think that the average Roman citizen’s chief entertainment probably came from watching what the imperial family did to each other. There was the crime and intrigue of a show like The Sopranos. All the narcissism and betrayal of a season of a reality TV show. More sex than cable on-demand porn channels and enough family dysfunction to make Jerry Springer’s guests look classy. ...more
Best book I'd read in years. I, Claudius is a brilliantly written piece of historical fiction from the perspective of a hapless-yet-intelligent black sheep of the Julio-Claudian house during the Augustan era of the Roman Empire who stumbles his way through to survive the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula only to be made emperor himself.
At times hilarious, others disturbing, very interesting all the way through, Robert Graves wrote a masterpiece with this. I challenge anyo...more
At times hilarious, others disturbing, very interesting all the way through, Robert Graves wrote a masterpiece with this. I challenge anyo...more
Wow! What an amazing book. Emperor Claudius tells the story of his own unlikely rise to Roman emperor, succeeding the evil and insane Caligula (who succeeded Tiberius who succeeded Augustus). Of course, Claudius didn't really write this book, but the author convincingly fools readers into imagining otherwise.
This was the first book about the Roman empire that I have ever read. It is exactly the kind of historical fiction that I enjoy and appreciate -- one in which every character i...more
This was the first book about the Roman empire that I have ever read. It is exactly the kind of historical fiction that I enjoy and appreciate -- one in which every character i...more
I read this over the course of three weeks and blogged about it along with several other writers. (The Big Read II) That kind of slow, reflective read is perfect for this book. There are many historical characters to keep track of, and just who is going to be poisoned by whom.
Julius Caesar is merely the backstory, the real story here is about a sickly cripple that manages not to get assassinated before he becomes the Emperor at the ripe old age of 50 something. (That is not a spoi...more
Julius Caesar is merely the backstory, the real story here is about a sickly cripple that manages not to get assassinated before he becomes the Emperor at the ripe old age of 50 something. (That is not a spoi...more
If you think your family is bad, wait till you see what Emperor "Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-that-and-the-other" had to put up with! This historical novel is written from the point of view of Claudius, a stammering, lame, benign man who is taken for a fool by everyone who knows him (which happens to works in his favour). Claudius starts his tale with the reign of Augustus and ends the book with his own ascension to power. There is a sequel to the book called "...more
Hmm. I'm not entirely sure if I liked this, or if I didn't. I mean, on the one hand, the prose style read plausibly as a translation from the classical Latin, much of the research was accurate, and I really liked Graves' take on Claudius himself. On the other hand, I thought his Augustus was incredibly off - whatever else the man was, he was incredibly intelligent, and I think Graves really underestimated him - and I would have quibbles with some of the rest of the characterisation as well.
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Ancient Rome, its royal lifestyle, and depraved politics are deliciously described (in diary format) by the royal Claudius, a cripple and social misfit who eventually becomes Emperor after a series of diabolical twists and turns.
Based on historical fact, the author brilliantly brings ancient Rome to life as well as the shocking political maneuvering of the time. This is one of those books wherein I didn't realize the impact it would have on me until I was finished. It turned out to ...more
Based on historical fact, the author brilliantly brings ancient Rome to life as well as the shocking political maneuvering of the time. This is one of those books wherein I didn't realize the impact it would have on me until I was finished. It turned out to ...more
I read this book because my co-worker said it was like watching The Sopranos; it's all about the family, there's murder, conspiracy, adultery... I'll admit, with the amount of young adult novels I read, the text was a little slow going at first. It reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitudein that there's a lot of establishment of family characters. Once I got the hang of the family tree, it was a fascinating read. Although fictional, it is based on Roman history. Having recently traveled ...more
3-1/2 stars, if I could.
Finished! I'm glad I'm raising kids in Bountiful and not 1st C. Rome.
A funny result of reading this book: it has inspired me to get back into gathering my parent's histories.
Read The Family: a Proclamation to the World regarding women and families and then p. 94, "... as a rule any good looking woman nowadays could have any man to sleep with whom she chose." If she "tired" of her husband, it was a hastle and financially distressing t...more
Finished! I'm glad I'm raising kids in Bountiful and not 1st C. Rome.
A funny result of reading this book: it has inspired me to get back into gathering my parent's histories.
Read The Family: a Proclamation to the World regarding women and families and then p. 94, "... as a rule any good looking woman nowadays could have any man to sleep with whom she chose." If she "tired" of her husband, it was a hastle and financially distressing t...more
I just could not get into the I, Claudius mini series but the book took me back to a Rome so unpredictable and strange that I doubt if I could have survived. Claudius survives bloody Rome and its mad, vindictive leaders by hiding beneath his limp, stammer and the image his family and acquaintances have cast upon him. The butt of jokes everywhere, he buries himself in nonpolitical historical research and writes books about what he discovers while his friends and family members are murdered and/o...more
Belinda
rated it
Recommends it for:
Those who wish a deeper understanding of roman history
Recommended to Belinda by:
Badger
I cannot recommend this book too highly. My introduction to it was the famous BBC series staring Derek Jacobi, after which I was compelled to read Graves' books to fill in all the juicy details. Graves felt there was a new Roman story to be told w/Claudius, the "idiot" who managed to do much more than most of his foolish relations---until he too demonstrated himself a fool. This telling of Roman history is deliciously wicked, as are most of its characters, but then you somehow find you...more
Easily my favorite historical novel. Graves creates a sympathetic character in Claudius, remembered by Roman historians as a physically and developmentally disabled emperor, but now recognized as an able leader who overcame many obstacles and setbacks in his reign.
Graves claimed that the ghost of Claudius appeared to him and demanded that his story be set straight. This book (and a sequel I haven't read, Claudius the God) gives a cynical, unflattering, but realistic portrait of the...more
Graves claimed that the ghost of Claudius appeared to him and demanded that his story be set straight. This book (and a sequel I haven't read, Claudius the God) gives a cynical, unflattering, but realistic portrait of the...more
I, Claudius is one of my favoritest books of all time. Since I just finished watching Rome: Season 1 on DVD, I figured I'd re-read the book that picks up where it left off. Now, I have the tail end of Season 2 to help me visualize Graves first few chapters - although there's definitely some conflicts between his work and the HBO series. I haven't re-read this book in forever, not since leaving my own copy in a West Texas motel room in 1999, so I pounced on the copy in my local library. I m...more
Vyase a dormir, mija que este programa es muy pesado. As encendi mi mam la curiosidad por esta novela. En el canal cultural, a las 9 de la noche, todos los sbados mi madre se pegaba de la serie "yo Claudio", y me mandaba a m a la camita. Eso no impidi que a hurtadillas yo alcanzara a ver como una serpiente derramaba una copa de vino, y como un seor se echaba encima de una seora mientras las cmaras enfocaban su blanquecino trasero. Suficiente. Tena que saber de qu se trataba exactamente...more
Very enjoyable. It was difficult not to read this as fact, it reminded me so much of the histories I read in Classical Studies. Plus 'Claudius' writes in such unemotional manner about his own family (real historical figures) that it feels more like an honest account than a half-fiction. Reading up later I found Graves was pretty selective with his sources, as one might be when trying to construct an exciting and believable narrative. The result is a page-turner.
Saying that, I don't thi...more
Saying that, I don't thi...more
I, Claudius has the potential of being a classic bore. As a fictional autobiography of the fourth emperor of Rome, a great deal of I, Claudius is devoted to the going-ons of various members of Claudius's illustrious family, as well as the derision shown to the sickly Claudius by nearly everyone around him. Nevertheless, the book was so very enjoyable. Perhaps it was the machinations and intrigue surrounding the daily life of the Imperial household, along with the numerous assassinations, plots, ...more
Even though it was written over 75 years ago, I, Claudius outshines many modern works of historical fiction in its detail and accessibility. Its narrator may not have had the most interesting life story himself, but as a fly-on-the-wall witness to several generations of ancient Rome's backstabbing politics, debauchery, and familial intrigue, and a chronicler of turbulent times in the life of the empire itself, he plenty of tales to tell.
The book is obviously well-researched, though it ...more
The book is obviously well-researched, though it ...more
I read this book primarily because I've always been a big fan of the TV series. Yeah, I know, I'm a Philistine. I have to say, though, having read the book, I think I've come away with a greater appreciation of both Graves' novel and the TV series it spawned. The TV series wisely and adroitly expanded the story to make it more of ensemble piece about the Julio-Claudian dynasty, whereas the book is much more of an intimate story of Claudius' life and his internal perspectives on his more popular,...more
This "autobiographical novel" is written in first person (Claudius), and the novel feels as such, with the reader always embedded in the future emperor's perspective. This is already a great achievement, a fiction autobiography that reads like it was a real memoir.
The account of Claudius' life and his assent to emperor are entertaining and informative. Most of the historical "facts" are taken from Suetonius' Twelve Caesars. Robert Graves adds to this a consistent...more
The account of Claudius' life and his assent to emperor are entertaining and informative. Most of the historical "facts" are taken from Suetonius' Twelve Caesars. Robert Graves adds to this a consistent...more
Vikram
added it
Claudius, Emperor of Rome from 41 to 54 AD provided some measure of stability to the Roman empire between the wanton excesses of Caligula and the benign indifference of Nero. This book is a fictionalized account of how an unassuming bookworm and what we would nowadays call a "nerd" came to become the most powerful person in Rome by happenstance.
The book is entirely formatted in first person narrative, allowing us to see events in the Roman empire unfold through Claudius's eyes. Indeed,...more
The book is entirely formatted in first person narrative, allowing us to see events in the Roman empire unfold through Claudius's eyes. Indeed,...more
I, Claudius is a fictitious autobiographical account of the life of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Pretty cool name, huh?). The novel begins with the fateful stabbing of Julius Caesar and culminates with Claudius’s rise to power as Emperor of Rome. Everything inbetween is an eye opening account of first century politics and the consequences of unchallenged imperial power.
In our opinion, Robert Graves created a wonderfully unique voice in Claudius. The main char...more
In our opinion, Robert Graves created a wonderfully unique voice in Claudius. The main char...more
I had always heard good things about this book, but never got around to reading it until now. Once I started, I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. The book has an interesting quality of feeling both old fashioned and modern at the same time. The author covers a fair amount of Roman history and often in very condensed form. The book basically spans the time period from when Augustus emerges as emperor following the Civil Wars until Claudius becomes the fourth Roman emperor. I was...more
Surprisingly, this book was easy to get into and enjoyable to read. Mr. Graves has a great premise and main character in Claudius. Claudius acts as our narrator and guide through the early days of the Roman Empire, first under Augustus, then Tiberius, and finally Caligula. Claudius's reign is not detailed here, only his ascension. I appreciated many aspects of the writing and style of narration. One thing I was expecting, but didn't find, was a great deal of smut. I picked up Colleen McCullough'...more
Roman history has always fascinated me, so naturally I was drawn to Grave's rendition of Claudius' life. This is superby written and as enthralling as any plot driven soap opera, but with even more intrigue and drama. Claudius was Augustus' grandson, and born during a time when court politics and poisonings were the order of the day. Because of his physical shortcomings, Claudius was considered an idiot and a disappointment to his family. Yet, these perceived infirmities are precisely what helpe...more
Continuing the Roman theme, I was given this book as a parting gift by my friend Pip at home. I’d seen the BBC TV series and was very impressed with it’s evocation of the imperial Roman world of the Julio-Claudians. The TV series is a believably accurate representation of the machinations and intrigues on the Palatine Hill as depicted in Robert Graves work, but the book goes into much greater detail and character depth. Although all of the actual events described could possibly have happened, th...more
Book club book for October.
I'll admit that I dreaded reading this book for a full 30 days before I picked it up. I have never done well with Greek or Roman history or pantheon of Gods. There's too many names three worded names that all end in -ius, too many uncle's brother's cousin's sons, two names for every God (one greek, one roman) - it just all seems overwhelming.
This book was surprisingly not overwhelming, though I did Wiki a lot and had a Julio Claudian family tree han...more
I'll admit that I dreaded reading this book for a full 30 days before I picked it up. I have never done well with Greek or Roman history or pantheon of Gods. There's too many names three worded names that all end in -ius, too many uncle's brother's cousin's sons, two names for every God (one greek, one roman) - it just all seems overwhelming.
This book was surprisingly not overwhelming, though I did Wiki a lot and had a Julio Claudian family tree han...more
Bryan
added it
Just good clean fun: The major criticism I have heard of this book is that the names of the characters are difficult to get a handle on, and they are, but this book is worth effort. Several people I know have put this book down before they really got into it because of this. They don't understand what they are missing. The story of Tiberius Claudius as written by Robert Graves is possibly the most compelling book I have ever read. Each page draws you further along because you have to know whats ...more
If, by some quirk in the time-space continuum, I was able to time travel, probably one of the last places I would want to end up would be ancient Rome. It’s not the food, the constant wars, or the public toilets that bother me (derail: sat on one of those at a Roman archeological dig in Israel—I prefer to do my business when I don’t have a neighbor’s butt about five inches from mine). Nope, it’s about the murdering—the constant, constant murdering.
When I set down Robert Graves’s I,...more
When I set down Robert Graves’s I,...more
An 11,000 (about) page book on Rome written in 1930, oh yeah that looked inviting,
but I admit I was surprised. Since the Roman royalty are all marrying and
divorcing and gosh knows what else to each other for alliances, I kept track of
who's who by writing down the lineage as I learned of it. (use a big piece of paper,
and pencil) This helped make sense of the various double-crosses of triple-crosses
during this take by Claudius of the rule of Augustus & Ti...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Els 4 Gats: Enero 2012: Yo, Claudio | 113 | 5 | 16 hours, 48 min ago | |
| A ver... | 2 | 22 | Nov 12, 2011 09:56am |
Robert Ranke Graves, born in Wimbledon, received his early education at King's College School and Copthorne Prep School, Wimbledon & Charterhouse School and won a scholarship to St John's College, Oxford. While at Charterhouse in 1912, he fell in love with G. H. Johnstone, a boy of fourteen ("Dick" in Goodbye to All That) When challenged by the headmaster he defended himself by citing Pl...more
More about Robert Graves...
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“I was thinking, “So, I’m Emperor, am I? What nonsense! But at least I”ll be able to make people read my books now.”
—
2 people liked it
“And what thoughts or memories, would you guess, were passing through my mind on this extraordinary occasion? Was I thinking of the Sibyl's prophecy, of the omen of the wolf-cub, of Pollio's advice, or of Briseis's dream? Of my grandfather and liberty? Of my grandfather and liberty? Of my three Imperial predecessors, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, their lives and deaths? Of the great danger I was still in from the conspirators, and from the Senate, and from the Gaurds battalions at the Camp? Of Messalina and our unborn child? Of my grandmother Livia and my promise to deify her if I ever became Emperor? Of Postumus and Germanicus? Of Agrippina and Nero? Of Camilla? No, you would never guess what was passing through my mind. But I shall be frank and tell you what it was, though the confession is a shameful one. I was thinking, 'So, I'm Emperor, am I? What nonsense! But at least I'll be able to make people read my books now. Public recitals to large audiences. And good books too, thirty-five years' hard work in them. It wont be unfair. Pollio used to get attentive audiences by giving expensive dinners. He was a very sound historian, and the last of the Romans. My history of Carthage is full of amusing anecdotes. I'm sure that they'll enjoy it.”
—
1 person liked it
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