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I, Claudius
by Robert Graves
The pseudo-autobiographical account of the life of Roman Emperor Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus
Robert Graves’ pseudo-autobiography of the Roman emperor Claudius is extremely engaging. The narrator is Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, a member of the early Roman royal family. Claudius suffers from many physical deformities, and fortunately for him, these imperfections cause everyone to think he is an idiot. He is hidden away from the world, and takes advantage of this seclusion to enhance his mind. He becomes an historian and a scholar, yet allows everyone to think he’s stupid, because it ensures his survival. Claudius survives the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula, one of the most infamously insane of all the Roman emperors.
Graves takes readers through a great deal of factual information, yet it never seems like a history lesson. On the contrary, the text is highly engaging and even funny at times, because it is all told by the sarcastic and clever Claudius. He proves himself to be an exceedingly likable character, and it certainly helps that his “life story” reads more like a highly sensationalized, ancient Roman version of a soap opera. Very worthwhile as pleasure-reading, and also chock-ful of historically factual tidbits, I, Claudius entertains while it informs.
Title: I, Claudius
Author: Robert Graves
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 067972477X
Review written by: Jess Boettger
Reviewer's Rating:9
Reader's Rating: 9.00
Reader's Votes: 1
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