Augustus's rulership is a period of stabilisation after the civil wars that brought the Roman Republic to its knees. I, Claudius, the novel, covers the reigns of the emperors Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula. In both media, the narrator is Claudius, writing towards the end of his rule and anticipating imminent assassination, but also the fulfilment of a prophesy that his record of events will be discovered nineteen centuries hence. The television series was based on Robert Graves' eponymous novel, together with its sequel Claudius the God. He spends his time reading and writing history books.įollowing the assassination of the demented emperor Caligula, a farcical twist of fate has Claudius being hailed his successor, and then surprising everybody by proving a competent ruler. It has a superb cast led by Derek Jacobi as the lame, stammering nobleman Claudius, taken for an idiot by his family and the Roman court, and left to his own devices while they pursue their bloody power games. Despite its small budget, this tale of intrigue and corruption in the early Roman Empire makes compelling viewing. *** NOTE: This review contains spoilers ***Ī few months ago I watched the 1976 BBC serial drama I, Claudius on DVD.
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