I read this back in the 1970/80s. I knew nothing about the history of this but it really inspired me. I managed to understand all the people and the story. Robert Graves was such an accomplished writer and a wonderful poet too.
This is one of my favorite books, definitely my favorite work of historical fiction without a doubt. It is extremely readable, well researched, and eminently well written. It's just a pleasure to read if you love the history of the Roman empire, especially if you're a fan of Tacitus, Suetonius and other great personages of history.
@@MoAnIncIt is wonderful. But they tried to make an epic I, Claudius with Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, etc. produced by Alexander Korda, but it was never completed. This is a tragedy, as fragments exist that show it could have been one of the greatest film epics ever. It was abandoned when Merle Oberon had a car accident. Laughton was even better than Jacobi, who was terrific. It can be seen on YT, The Epic that Never Was.
@@MoAnInc I keep trying to post a site to view it on, but YT keeps deleting the posts. TBH, this site is "on the high seas," if you get my meaning. Well, if you know of some of these sites, I suppose you can search for yourself.
I was surprised to hear the Graves had Herod born in Bethlehem & I've heard that some historians think that Caligula behave so badly because he too wanted a Republic.
My mom read the book and watched the TV series a long time ago. She convinced my sister and I to watch the series on DVD and let's just say it was amazing since I'm a big history fan!!!
I actually cried when germanicus died when Claudius says something like "of my own sorrow I cannot bring myself to write." Both of these books just draw you in completely I also love the audio books narrated by Derek Jacobi.
The BBC Adaptation has BRIAN BLESSED(!) as Augustus: Something that really should not work at all, given the rather stern, stoic and slim public image of Augustus do no quite square with the gregarious, loud and buff BLESSED, but he really did show us a master class of acting! 🎭 Also George R R Martin has named the depiction of Tiberius as a major inspiration for his own Stannis Baratheon! Derek Jacobi («Gladiator») as Claudius, John Hurt («1984», «Alien» & «V for Vendetta») as Caligula, Patrick Stewart («Star Trek: TNG») as Sejanus and both John Rhys-Davies and Bernard Hill («Lord of the Rings») show up as members of the Pretorian Guard!
Fantastic Review Moan Inc, I'm just curious would you be reading or review Augustus by John Williams? I've recently finished it and I reckon you would very love it.
The BBC adaptation is easily one of the best dramas ever shown on TV. The quality of the acting is so far and above acting you see today shows that good writing and acting matters far more than budget. George RR Martin based Stannis Baretheon on George Baker's austere Tiberius.
I urge people to read the short book on Caligula by Sam Wilkinson. It points out that moat of the stories were exaggerations or lies. Senators wrote the history and Caligula despised them and saw no point in pretending they had power, which Augustus and Tiberius had done. Caligula was a young, arrogant autocrat, very much like Domitian and both men shared the same fate. In the end, Caligula was a terrible politician but not mad and quite a good emperor.
I read this back in the 1970/80s. I knew nothing about the history of this but it really inspired me. I managed to understand all the people and the story. Robert Graves was such an accomplished writer and a wonderful poet too.
!!!!!!
I somehow missed this when it came out! This and Claudius the God are two of my favorite novels ! YAY!
🤓
This is one of my favorite books, definitely my favorite work of historical fiction without a doubt. It is extremely readable, well researched, and eminently well written. It's just a pleasure to read if you love the history of the Roman empire, especially if you're a fan of Tacitus, Suetonius and other great personages of history.
I've never read the book, but I've seen the excellent BBC series with Derek Jacobi as Claudius many times.
I’ve heard it’s WONDERFUL!
@@MoAnInc Somebody asked for a link in the comments below of where to see it free, so I added one (assuming YT allows that to show).
I'd recommend the audio books. Unfortunately the version of Claudius the God I have is highly abridged but it's still enjoyable.
@@MoAnIncIt is wonderful. But they tried to make an epic I, Claudius with Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, etc. produced by Alexander Korda, but it was never completed. This is a tragedy, as fragments exist that show it could have been one of the greatest film epics ever. It was abandoned when Merle Oberon had a car accident. Laughton was even better than Jacobi, who was terrific. It can be seen on YT, The Epic that Never Was.
One of the best historical fiction books ever written. Not a bad soap opera either by the BBC.
💯
Thanks for posting ❤ do you know where I can watch the series I Claudius?
Thanks for watching! I actually don’t, but if you find out do let me know because I want to watch it, too!!
@@MoAnInc I keep trying to post a site to view it on, but YT keeps deleting the posts. TBH, this site is "on the high seas," if you get my meaning. Well, if you know of some of these sites, I suppose you can search for yourself.
@@MoAnIncLook it up in the internet.
I Clavdivs is currently available to watch on BBC Iplayer
I was surprised to hear the Graves had Herod born in Bethlehem & I've heard that some historians think that Caligula behave so badly because he too wanted a Republic.
I loved the book and tv show much!! I have to say Germanicus was my all time favourite!! He was an amazing character
My mom read the book and watched the TV series a long time ago. She convinced my sister and I to watch the series on DVD and let's just say it was amazing since I'm a big history fan!!!
Oh Germanicus is a great choice for favourite character 👀
I actually cried when germanicus died when Claudius says something like "of my own sorrow I cannot bring myself to write."
Both of these books just draw you in completely I also love the audio books narrated by Derek Jacobi.
Yes! A true hero and without this book he would've past most of us by.
The BBC Adaptation has BRIAN BLESSED(!) as Augustus: Something that really should not work at all, given the rather stern, stoic and slim public image of Augustus do no quite square with the gregarious, loud and buff BLESSED, but he really did show us a master class of acting! 🎭
Also George R R Martin has named the depiction of Tiberius as a major inspiration for his own Stannis Baratheon!
Derek Jacobi («Gladiator») as Claudius, John Hurt («1984», «Alien» & «V for Vendetta») as Caligula, Patrick Stewart («Star Trek: TNG») as Sejanus and both John Rhys-Davies and Bernard Hill («Lord of the Rings») show up as members of the Pretorian Guard!
You should review Graves' The White Goddess.
~adds to TBR~
Fantastic Review Moan Inc, I'm just curious would you be reading or review Augustus by John Williams? I've recently finished it and I reckon you would very love it.
I’ll certainly go an add it to the list if it’s something you’d like to see!! ❤️
You should review The Changing of the Gods by Anthony Miano.
I’ll check it out!
@@MoAnInc You said you were sick of Hades stories where he owns a club or something like that. In this story, he’s firmly in the Underworld.
The BBC adaptation is easily one of the best dramas ever shown on TV. The quality of the acting is so far and above acting you see today shows that good writing and acting matters far more than budget. George RR Martin based Stannis Baretheon on George Baker's austere Tiberius.
I'm watching the great BBC adaptation from 1976. How does it compare to the novels? Anything cut out?
You’ll have to read the book! 🤓
Very similar to the book. There is a bit about religion left out of the BBC series. Probably because it’s a bit boring.
I urge people to read the short book on Caligula by Sam Wilkinson. It points out that moat of the stories were exaggerations or lies. Senators wrote the history and Caligula despised them and saw no point in pretending they had power, which Augustus and Tiberius had done. Caligula was a young, arrogant autocrat, very much like Domitian and both men shared the same fate. In the end, Caligula was a terrible politician but not mad and quite a good emperor.
OH BOY HERE WE GO
🍿🍿🍿
👀
Listening to a review of a book written in 1934 that I read before Erica was born. Works for me.
I read this book long ago. It was great I couldn't wait to read the next chapter.hiw could human beings possibly live like this.
Roman Empire was pretty horrible. Very cruel.