tani reviewed on
I enjoyed this book about the Roman Emperor Claudius (lived 10 B.C.--54 A.D.)immensely. The jacket calls it the best fictional reconstruction of Rome ever written. It is one of the classics of modern fiction, written in the form of Cladius' autobiography. Despised as a weakling and considered an idiot because of his physical infirmities, he survived the intrigues and poisonings of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and the mad Caligula to become emperor in 41 A.D.