I, Claudius

2 Reviews

• 

  I have been meaning to read this book for a couple years now. I read I Claudius a few years back and really enjoyed it. I have to say that while enjoyable, this book isn’t that good. I have to say that I was terribly fond of Livia in the original, and there was no one to compare with her in this. In ... (continue)

  I have been meaning to read this book for a couple years now. I read I Claudius a few years back and really enjoyed it. I have to say that while enjoyable, this book isn’t that good. I have to say that I was terribly fond of Livia in the original, and there was no one to compare with her in this. In fact the author seemed to realise this, and spent the first half of the book giving references back to her and Caligula.

  This is not a book for those who are interested in plot. It is mostly a social history for how to (or how not to) run Rome. There is a lot of discussion of law cases, building improvements, and of course war with Britain. The politics and deceit seem to take a lesser place in this book, though there is still a fair amount of scandal.

  I think the most interesting thing about this book is the insight into Claudius’ mind. While writing in the first person, he is constantly justifying his actions to himself and his audience. He becomes a tyrant like he feared, but doesn’t believe it. He sees himself as the saviour of Rome, but fails to notice his wife’s corruption. The only thing I felt was lacking was his transformation into the passive Emperor letting his new wife take over seemed relatively unexplored. I mean he talked about how he wanted the Empire to fail and the republic restored. But it was not clear how such an abrupt change happened.

  An interesting book and enjoyable though I have to admit I did feel like it dragged in places.

  Is this helpful?

  Robot-mel said on Jan 27, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

• 

  Hard work but worth it

  I'm a bit of a classics freak, so had been meaning to read this for ages. Found it hard going in places, but also quite enjoyable (want to read the sequesl "Claudius the God". Would like to get the TV series and see how it compares.

  Is this helpful?

  Athene1710 said on Nov 3, 2007 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
  (63)
  • 5 stars
  • 4 stars
  • 3 stars
  • 2 stars
  • 1 star
• English Books
• Others 281 Pages
• ISBN-10: 0413370704
• ISBN-13: 9780413370709
• Publisher: Eyre Methuen
• Pub date: Jan 01, 1976
• Dimensions: 1419 mm x 903 mm Just how big is that?
• Also available as: Paperback, Hardcover, Audio Cassette, School & Library Binding and eBook
• In other languages: other languages Libros en Español, Libri Italiani, Nederlandse Boeken

Groups with this in collection

• The Collective (146)

Prices Change currency & sellers