What do you think?
Rate this book
I Am a Barbarian
I, Britannicus
Son of a great and defiant chief in far-off Britain, to the haughty Romans I was just another young barbarian. In the decadence of Imperial Rome I faced death time and again: in the gladiatorial arena, in the chariot races, in the twisted hearts of palaces. And always at the hands of my master, mad Caligula, the bloodiest Roman of them all. Someday I would have my revenge.
Son of a great and defiant chief in far-off Britain, to the haughty Romans I was just another young barbarian. In the decadence of Imperial Rome I faced death time and again: in the gladiatorial arena, in the chariot races, in the twisted hearts of palaces. And always at the hands of my master, mad Caligula, the bloodiest Roman of them all. Someday I would have my revenge.
287 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1967
11 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
2,906 books2,740 followersEdgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 23, 2012
This is my first Edgar Rice Burroughs book. I never picked his works up before because all I knew about was Tarzan from watching old movies and I really don't like the Tarzan character.
I'm not sure what made me pick it up at the used bookstore, probably the Boris-painted cover. Once home—even though in the middle of another, longer book by GRRM that I had accidentally left at work that day—I started reading the book and I was hooked. I read over a hundred pages that night, something I almost never do being the slow reader I am. I had to force myself to put the book aside to finish the GRRM book that I was 200 pages from finally completing.
Burroughs writing is clean, crisp, and imaginative. I usually don't read historical fiction because I feel it reads as if a textbook. This is not the case with IAAB. This book is entertaining and follows the story of Caligula from the viewpoint of his personal slave Britannica, whom he both feared and trusted.
I don't want to give too much away, but Britannica watches Caligula grow from a spoiled child to an insane ruler and does so without ever overstepping his boundary as a slave. At one point a crucifixion is happening and Burroughs's description of the cross being carried, the stress of waiting to have nails hammered into one's hands, and the thoughts of slowly dying while the birds eat your eyes is the best description of a crucifixion I have read or seen. I was biting my nails reading this part.
This is one of those rare books that doesn't sugar-coat things to appease the reader. Real life situations happen and real-life consequences occur.
Because of this book, I found the first 8 novels of Burroughs's Mars series and I am reading them next.
I'm not sure what made me pick it up at the used bookstore, probably the Boris-painted cover. Once home—even though in the middle of another, longer book by GRRM that I had accidentally left at work that day—I started reading the book and I was hooked. I read over a hundred pages that night, something I almost never do being the slow reader I am. I had to force myself to put the book aside to finish the GRRM book that I was 200 pages from finally completing.
Burroughs writing is clean, crisp, and imaginative. I usually don't read historical fiction because I feel it reads as if a textbook. This is not the case with IAAB. This book is entertaining and follows the story of Caligula from the viewpoint of his personal slave Britannica, whom he both feared and trusted.
I don't want to give too much away, but Britannica watches Caligula grow from a spoiled child to an insane ruler and does so without ever overstepping his boundary as a slave. At one point a crucifixion is happening and Burroughs's description of the cross being carried, the stress of waiting to have nails hammered into one's hands, and the thoughts of slowly dying while the birds eat your eyes is the best description of a crucifixion I have read or seen. I was biting my nails reading this part.
This is one of those rare books that doesn't sugar-coat things to appease the reader. Real life situations happen and real-life consequences occur.
Because of this book, I found the first 8 novels of Burroughs's Mars series and I am reading them next.
May 16, 2011
As a boy I devoured everything I could get my hands written on by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was the 70s, and his stuff was enjoying a resurgence thanks to new paperback editions of his Tarzan books (Ballantine) and everything else (Ace).
I AM A BARBARIAN is without doubt the best thing Burroughs ever wrote. Funny, action-packed, well-researched and ultimately poignant, he never did better (and with his canon of works, that's saying something!).
I AM A BARBARIAN is without doubt the best thing Burroughs ever wrote. Funny, action-packed, well-researched and ultimately poignant, he never did better (and with his canon of works, that's saying something!).
February 6, 2016
This book comes highly recommended from many sources and that may contribute to it not reaching the esteemed pedestal I may have put it on. This is a great story, all of Burroughs stories are. It is told in first person perspective which is always a plus for me. For me, the story begins strong with the main character narrating with humor and contempt for all Romans, but the closing seemed rushed and more about Caligula than Britannicus. Finally if you enjoyed the unrelenting action in the John Carter or Carson of Venus books it is non-existent here. With all that being said, this is still a great story anyone could appreciate.
February 15, 2022
It's a historical fiction take on the Caligula story with a rapid pace narrated by an immensely likeable character who seethes with disgust at Romans and Rome in general. While not as highbrow as I, Claudius/Claudius the God, it is a triumph in another regard as being able to condense all the intrigue and depravity while packing in some action and romance as well.
*edit* oh and while that cover art is positively excellent, it is the blatant false advertising.
*edit* oh and while that cover art is positively excellent, it is the blatant false advertising.
July 27, 2008
A very strong one from ERB. Set in Ancient Rome.
August 27, 2020
Got this on impulse from Half Price Books and delayed reading it only because I was never quite in the mood for the Conan-esque action depicted in the Vallejo cover art. However, it turned out to be detailed historical fiction of a type reminiscent of Mary Renault and Robert Graves, set in the Roman world as a first-person memoir by a Briton slave owned by the boy who would grow up to become the infamous Emperor Caligula. No holds barred, snappy page turner that simultaneously brought the time period to life and vividly portrayed the terror of Caligula's reign as he became increasingly unhinged and despotic in adulthood. Excellent stuff that had me reading 50 pages at a sitting, that I don't normally have time for. This was somehow my first E.R. Burroughs novel (coming to him late!), though now I'm looking forward to the John Carter/Barsoom omnibus that's been sitting on my shelf for a while as well.
May 26, 2022
An historical novel that was unpublished in Burroughs' lifetime, "I am a Barbarian" is a fictionalized biograph of the mad Roman emperor Caligula as told by a slave named Britannicus.
Brit--who was ten years old when made a slave to the then-four year old future emperor--tells his tale with vivid detail and a wry, sometimes biting sense of humor. Brit's observations of Roman culture leaves him with a contempt for it that never lessens as he notes the cruelities and hypocrises of civilization.
The novel is extremely well-researched and Burroughs creates some of his best supporting characters--especially a former gladiator and current soldier named Tibur, who isn't particularly bright but is intensely loyal to his friends.
Often, Brit is a passive observer, recounting Caligula's ever-increasing insanity and cruelity. But the story is still packed with action--gladiator fights, chariot races, assassinations, and palace intrigues abound. A chapter in which Brit is sentenced to be crucified is incredibly tense.
Overall, one of the best books Burroughs ever wrote.
Brit--who was ten years old when made a slave to the then-four year old future emperor--tells his tale with vivid detail and a wry, sometimes biting sense of humor. Brit's observations of Roman culture leaves him with a contempt for it that never lessens as he notes the cruelities and hypocrises of civilization.
The novel is extremely well-researched and Burroughs creates some of his best supporting characters--especially a former gladiator and current soldier named Tibur, who isn't particularly bright but is intensely loyal to his friends.
Often, Brit is a passive observer, recounting Caligula's ever-increasing insanity and cruelity. But the story is still packed with action--gladiator fights, chariot races, assassinations, and palace intrigues abound. A chapter in which Brit is sentenced to be crucified is incredibly tense.
Overall, one of the best books Burroughs ever wrote.
February 15, 2016
Good historical read. Burroughs always writes and employable and easy read. Recommended
March 20, 2024
A lifelong slave of the mad Caesar Caligula recalls the events of his life in a memoir for his son. There's lots of blood, political machinations, and cruelty, peppered with bits of heroism, thrills, and cynical humor.
I first read this when I was about 15 years old and loved it then. This read around, I loved the first 3/4ths of it. The book just seems to rush during the last quarter, as if ERB wanted it to be over. This is too bad, because the book is really very witty, eloquently written, and loaded with historical details you can't help but believe (even if they were cribbed from disreputable historical sources). Imperial Rome comes alive, even if it is a wholly fictional one.
I've read the suggestion that I am a Barbarian was written as a response to I, Claudius. Who knows if that's true. For some reason, the novel was left unpublished during the author's lifetime. I think that's too bad, because it would have totally found an audience in 1941. I should mention, too, that it's one of ERB's later books, but it does not feel like a late ERB book. It's lively, articulate, and skips a lot of his usual tropes. (There is a battle in an arena against a tiger, as that sweet Boris cover painting promises, but otherwise ERB treads new ground.) The thing that delighted me most was the humor. The narrator, Britannicus, is a cynical, sarcastic dude, and can't help but constantly drop little barbs at the Roman elite.
I was all ready to give the book 4 stars, but after a while, the brutality and cruelty got to me. Caligula is notoriously one of history's vilest world leaders, and the character in the book fits the bill almost too perfectly. He's insane, sadistic, and a consummate bully. I hated him when I was 15 and I hated him during this read, too. I think my 15-year-old self was a bit more forgiving of the novel's bloodshed, though, because the older, wiser, more sensitive me found it tiresome and depressing.
I first read this when I was about 15 years old and loved it then. This read around, I loved the first 3/4ths of it. The book just seems to rush during the last quarter, as if ERB wanted it to be over. This is too bad, because the book is really very witty, eloquently written, and loaded with historical details you can't help but believe (even if they were cribbed from disreputable historical sources). Imperial Rome comes alive, even if it is a wholly fictional one.
I've read the suggestion that I am a Barbarian was written as a response to I, Claudius. Who knows if that's true. For some reason, the novel was left unpublished during the author's lifetime. I think that's too bad, because it would have totally found an audience in 1941. I should mention, too, that it's one of ERB's later books, but it does not feel like a late ERB book. It's lively, articulate, and skips a lot of his usual tropes. (There is a battle in an arena against a tiger, as that sweet Boris cover painting promises, but otherwise ERB treads new ground.) The thing that delighted me most was the humor. The narrator, Britannicus, is a cynical, sarcastic dude, and can't help but constantly drop little barbs at the Roman elite.
I was all ready to give the book 4 stars, but after a while, the brutality and cruelty got to me. Caligula is notoriously one of history's vilest world leaders, and the character in the book fits the bill almost too perfectly. He's insane, sadistic, and a consummate bully. I hated him when I was 15 and I hated him during this read, too. I think my 15-year-old self was a bit more forgiving of the novel's bloodshed, though, because the older, wiser, more sensitive me found it tiresome and depressing.
July 6, 2021
This is an excellent book. I was bent on giving it a 5-star review, however, the last hundred pages forced me to deduct one star.
This first half of the book is gripping. It is well written as it follows the life of Britannicus, Caligula's long-time slave. I like that Burroughs includes the usage of AUC for dating in the Roman style. We get a first-hand account of Britannicus' life in the house of the Julii, who proudly holds on to his 'barbarian' nature throughout (and smartly pointing out the dubious, depraved, and immoral nature of the Romans).
After page 200, the book takes a turn. It feels rushed. Instead of dialogue, we get pages that seem to be extracted from Suetonius' account of Caligula. These are short snippets of the devious actions he was noted for: amorous conquests, Incitatus, forcing some stranger on the street to get his head shaved, lavish games. This goes on until around 250, when we get back to Britannicus.
The cover is misleading. The event it is base on doesn't include a scantily-clad woman, but book covers are often far removed from a book's content.
Overall, a good book for those interested in adventure or books set in ancient Rome.
This first half of the book is gripping. It is well written as it follows the life of Britannicus, Caligula's long-time slave. I like that Burroughs includes the usage of AUC for dating in the Roman style. We get a first-hand account of Britannicus' life in the house of the Julii, who proudly holds on to his 'barbarian' nature throughout (and smartly pointing out the dubious, depraved, and immoral nature of the Romans).
After page 200, the book takes a turn. It feels rushed. Instead of dialogue, we get pages that seem to be extracted from Suetonius' account of Caligula. These are short snippets of the devious actions he was noted for: amorous conquests, Incitatus, forcing some stranger on the street to get his head shaved, lavish games. This goes on until around 250, when we get back to Britannicus.
The cover is misleading. The event it is base on doesn't include a scantily-clad woman, but book covers are often far removed from a book's content.
Overall, a good book for those interested in adventure or books set in ancient Rome.
April 2, 2020
It's good to read a paper back and let the kindal rest. This semi historical tale is a less fanciful read than most of Edgar Rice Burroughs but still contains heros, villains and beutiful maidens. Knights in shining armour can be dressed in a lion skin or gladiators armor and still uphold the moral code of chivalry. Without a damsel in distress there is no chance to be a hero. In life one must always watch for the chance to slay dragons and free princess or there is no epitaph to engrave upon your passing.
May 3, 2024
В этом произведении Берроуз предстает в необычном для себя амплуа - писателя исторического романа. И получилось у него это вполне неплохо. Только книга неверно позиционируется как происходящая во времена правления Калигулы. Именно периоду, как тот стал императором, посвящена от силы четверть романа, да и то в основном мазками о его злодеяниях. По большей части, это просто приключенческое произведение о жизни раба, прожившего свою жизнь рядом с Калигулой, сначала маленьким мальчиком, а потом правителем Римской империи.
October 31, 2022
This was a fun historical adventure. In the latter part of the book, after Caligula becomes emperor, it sort of read like a Wikipedia article for a few chapters (dull.) But I was hooked right back in as we crested towards his assassination and Burroughs gifted to us a few more sword & sandal chapters.
August 16, 2025
I quite liked this book until, in typical Burroughs' fashion, the last 10-pages were rushed, plot lines inexplicably resolved, and there was no denouement for the protagonist. Knowing how the book ends raises real questions about literary choices early on. Leaving a high score for the first 270 pages, but I am left very disappointed.
May 28, 2021
The Mucker stories have always been my favorite of Burroughs’s works, but Britannicus just may top Billy Byrne as a protagonist. The book, a historical fiction of the reign of the mad Emperor Caligula, is quite a departure from Burroughs’s usual swashbuckling narratives.
October 8, 2017
Burroughs novel read in the 70s
October 10, 2017
Awesome book, read it in the late 70s. Found it to be historically very correct, and yet, retained ERB's flavor throughout the entire story. Highly recommended.
October 12, 2021
Enjoyed this. Kind of reminded me of I, Claudius which is one of my favorites. This ERB story set in Rome is not on the same level as Claudius, but I still enjoyed it.
October 12, 2024
The life of the Roman tyrant Caligula, told from the perspective of a trusted slave.
March 14, 2013
Let me get this straight. The author of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, At the Earth's Core, The Land That Time Forgot wrote a historical novel about the reign of Caligula, one of the top 5 crazy emperors of Rome?
You're pulling my leg...right?
As the note on back cover states: Only Edgar Rice Burroughs could have written such an epic novel of historical adventure, a novel that transcends fantasy and transforms reality itself"
Ok, now you're pulling the other leg.
So with "I am a Barbarian", John Carter of Mars turns into Britannicus, the British slave who is bought by Caligula's parents to be a companion to the little 4 years old madman to be. Dejah Thoris, the Martian princess, is the slave girl Attica.
The story takes us from AD 16 right up to that fateful day in AD 41.
ERB took Caesar's Commentaries and the Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius and consulted the works of a number of modern historians. Then he rolled in his standard story formula that he had been using for 30+ years to create a novel that "transforms reality itself".
I am no stranger to Edgar Rice Burroughs. I discovered him back in the '60's with the Mars stories published by Ace books. I went on to his other series as well (I only read a few Tarzan books - again like one other reviewer said - it might have been the Tarzan movies) .
When they announced the Disney movie I went back and re-read the series - OMG - was I in for an awakening. High adventure - yes - the same plot repeated over 10-12 books. Talk about disappointed big time. And then I saw the movie. YIKES
I'm glad I read the book. It was ok at best but at least I can add it to my ERB collection.
You're pulling my leg...right?
As the note on back cover states: Only Edgar Rice Burroughs could have written such an epic novel of historical adventure, a novel that transcends fantasy and transforms reality itself"
Ok, now you're pulling the other leg.
So with "I am a Barbarian", John Carter of Mars turns into Britannicus, the British slave who is bought by Caligula's parents to be a companion to the little 4 years old madman to be. Dejah Thoris, the Martian princess, is the slave girl Attica.
The story takes us from AD 16 right up to that fateful day in AD 41.
ERB took Caesar's Commentaries and the Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius and consulted the works of a number of modern historians. Then he rolled in his standard story formula that he had been using for 30+ years to create a novel that "transforms reality itself".
I am no stranger to Edgar Rice Burroughs. I discovered him back in the '60's with the Mars stories published by Ace books. I went on to his other series as well (I only read a few Tarzan books - again like one other reviewer said - it might have been the Tarzan movies) .
When they announced the Disney movie I went back and re-read the series - OMG - was I in for an awakening. High adventure - yes - the same plot repeated over 10-12 books. Talk about disappointed big time. And then I saw the movie. YIKES
I'm glad I read the book. It was ok at best but at least I can add it to my ERB collection.
December 10, 2011
By 1941 Edgar Rice Burroughs as a novelist seemed to be pretty much washed up, his novels for the previous 10 or 15 years had been getting ever more derivative and silly until they ended up little more than parodies of his early glories. What hope than can there be for this novel written in 1941 and not published until 1967, is it so bad that they waited until 19 years after Burroughs death to publish it? The answer is a resounding no this is Burroughs at his best a different Burroughs to usual but all the better for that!
Uniquely in Burroughs' Cannon this is a historical novel one that follows historical fact quite closely. The book concerns Britannicus the (fictional) personal slave of Caligula and is told by him in the first person. Yes there's some I Claudius and Ben Hur here but at least Burroughs was trying something different, if the war hadn't intervened (Burroughs became a war correspondent) and put a premature end to his career as novelist soon after, perhaps his novels would have entered a second golden age.
Uniquely in Burroughs' Cannon this is a historical novel one that follows historical fact quite closely. The book concerns Britannicus the (fictional) personal slave of Caligula and is told by him in the first person. Yes there's some I Claudius and Ben Hur here but at least Burroughs was trying something different, if the war hadn't intervened (Burroughs became a war correspondent) and put a premature end to his career as novelist soon after, perhaps his novels would have entered a second golden age.
March 3, 2016
When I was growing up, my father's office/study had a complete collection of the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs in cheap paperback form, with the expected Tarzans and Barsooms and Pellucidors, and then the progressively less successful series of adventure on the moon, adventures on Venus, etc. Those are all wonderful in their own way, and anyone who does not love a grand adventure fighting monsters in space has no soul.
And then there was this: a historical novel about Caligula, told from the point of view of his slave. It was surprisingly decent, with characters that actually had motivations beyond a desire to move the plot along. Objectively, it is a much better book than, say, "A Princess of Mars", but by setting its goals higher, it fails to reach them.
I apparently stole the book from my father, and have somehow kept it safe for decades, as I have it in my bookshelf now, and it remains adequate, but not great, just good enough to remind you that you could be reading something better. Or something that doesn't try as hard.
And then there was this: a historical novel about Caligula, told from the point of view of his slave. It was surprisingly decent, with characters that actually had motivations beyond a desire to move the plot along. Objectively, it is a much better book than, say, "A Princess of Mars", but by setting its goals higher, it fails to reach them.
I apparently stole the book from my father, and have somehow kept it safe for decades, as I have it in my bookshelf now, and it remains adequate, but not great, just good enough to remind you that you could be reading something better. Or something that doesn't try as hard.
November 11, 2016
Well written (within the parameters of an almost grade school literary level). Holds the attention. Possibly an influence on Philip Jose Farmer. Glides along on the surface all the way through, scrupulously detailing each and every atrocious, insane act committed by Caligula during his few years as Caesar, probing nothing deeply and without any dramatic content. A sugar coated history lesson.
Possibly okay for young people, as all Caligula's horrible cruelties are roundly condemned, and the main character has good moral scruples. The problem with this is, being Caligula's personal slave from the age of four until his death, and one of his most trusted associates, the (fictional) narrator is at his side throughout it all and never does anything to intervene or disassociate himself from him. I, at any rate, wondered about this and ultimately found it unpalatable.
Well researched, and seems historically detailed and accurate.
Possibly okay for young people, as all Caligula's horrible cruelties are roundly condemned, and the main character has good moral scruples. The problem with this is, being Caligula's personal slave from the age of four until his death, and one of his most trusted associates, the (fictional) narrator is at his side throughout it all and never does anything to intervene or disassociate himself from him. I, at any rate, wondered about this and ultimately found it unpalatable.
Well researched, and seems historically detailed and accurate.
January 6, 2014
The following novel is the narration by Britannicus to his unnamed son about his life story. Britannicus is a brash, brave and outspoken slave that belongs to the mad Roman Emperor Caligula and the tale contains historical elements associated with the rule of Caligula and Tiberius from a first person perspective.
The biggest problem I had with the whole story is that it is rushed from start to end. Hardly any character development is allowed and the story ends very abruptly. Had it been written in a more detail manner the story would have been a Hollywood blockbuster at it contains cliched Roman area associated movie elements.
This is the first Edgar Rice Burroughs book I read and I do enjoy his writing style. He has very unusual writing style that can depict complicated situations quite easily. He was indeed a master of his craft.
The biggest problem I had with the whole story is that it is rushed from start to end. Hardly any character development is allowed and the story ends very abruptly. Had it been written in a more detail manner the story would have been a Hollywood blockbuster at it contains cliched Roman area associated movie elements.
This is the first Edgar Rice Burroughs book I read and I do enjoy his writing style. He has very unusual writing style that can depict complicated situations quite easily. He was indeed a master of his craft.
May 2, 2014
One of Burroughs best one shot stories. The book has the classic elements that are in all of his books: Savage hero, damsel in distress, wicked mastermind and man vs wild animals. The setting of Rome is a departure from the undiscovered/ untamed lands you would normally find in one of his books. The modern man lost in the wild has been replaced with the savage in the city. There is little or no questioning who is right or wrong in the writing style employed, and it can be relaxing to read the straight forward adventure. Anyone who reads giant chain novels should give this author a chance as he established the pacing style for many of the more popular scy fi and fantasy series we read today.
May 12, 2015
As usual, a cracking read from ERB but what sets this one apart from others is not only is it a rip-roaring adventure it is also a historical novel. A young Briton is captured and enslaved to the Roman empire. He becomes the lifelong companion of none other than the deranged Caligula. Through the eyes of the slave Britannicus we follow Caligula's rise as well as his swift and brutal fall. ERB fills his history with his usual clarity of style, some exciting action-filled set pieces (chariot races to rival Ben Hur) and a wealth of detail to evoke daily life in ancient Rome. It all builds to a thrilling and violent climax, and made me want to revisit I, Claudius.
September 24, 2009
My initial thoughts was that this book would be a fantasy book set in the Roman Empire era, but in fact it was an excellently done fiction historical account of a slave's perspective during Caligula's lifetime. My utter fascination with the 'divine' family had me zipping through the pages, and I was pleased to see that it correlated extremely well to factual history. It's a fun quick read.
January 29, 2009
Rousing tale of a captured Briton forced to serve the evil Roman emperor, Caligula, as a slave, before exacting the ultimate revenge.
November 8, 2010
Horribly sexist cover, but an awesome novel about a slave during the days of Caligula. I read it at age seventeen and have never forgotten it.
September 18, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews