I, Claudius & Claudius, the God by Robert Graves - 1934

E-080: Arthur Barker Ltd.. Very Good in Good+ dust jacket. 1934. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Hardcover. 8vo. Arthur Barker, London. 1934. Two Volumes. 494 pgs. & 575 pgs. First Edition/First Printing. DJs in have shelfwear present to the DJ (chips present to the spine ends, tape repair present to the reverse of the DJ). Previous owner's name present to the reverse of the rear board, small stain present to the reverse of the front board of Claudius the God (see photo). Text is lightly foxed, endpapers lightly foxed binding tight and solid, boards clean with no wear present. Considered an idiot because of his physical infirmities, Claudius survived the intrigues and poisonings of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and the Mad Caligula to become emperor in 41 A. D. Once a rather bookish young man with a limp and a stammer, a man who spent most of his time trying to stay away from the danger and risk of the line of ascension, Claudius seemed an unlikely candidate for Emperor. Yet, on the death of Caligula, Claudius finds himself next in line for the throne, and must stay alive as well as keep control. Drawing on the histories of Plutarch, Suetonius, and Gaius Cornelius Tacitus, noted historian and classicist Robert Graves tells the story of the much-maligned Emperor Claudius with both skill and compassion. Weaving important themes throughout about the nature of freedom and safety possible in a safety and a monarchy, Graves’ Claudius is both more effective and more tragic than history typically remembers him. A best-selling novel and one of Graves’ most successful, I, Claudius has been adapted to television, film, theatre, and audio. Robert von Ranke Graves (also known as Robert Ranke Graves and most commonly Robert Graves) (24 July 1895 - 7 December 1985) was an English poet, novelist, critic and classicist. During his long life he produced more than 140 works. Graves's poems--together with his translations and innovative analysis and interpretations of the Greek myths; his memoir of his early life, including his role in the First World War, Good-Bye to All That; and his speculative study of poetic inspiration, The White Goddess--have never been out of print. E-80; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .