I, Claudius (Claudius, #1)

by Robert Graves

“You horrid old German woman,” he said, “I’ll burn your German house down!” He used “German” as the worst insult he knew.

absurd veneration that Germans have for their wives and mothers.

To use the majesty of law for revenging any petty act of private spite is to make a public confession of weakness, cowardice and an ignoble spirit.”

I am convinced that an informer does not expect to benefit directly or indirectly by his accusations, but brings them from a sense of true patriotism and public decency, I not only discount their importance as evidence but I put a black mark against that informer’s name and never afterwards employ him in any position of trust…”

Cæsonia to raise the money by imposing a tax in her name on all married men for the privilege of sleeping with their wives.