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Claudius: A Life From Beginning to End
Often portrayed as an awkward, disfigured, and clumsy man, Claudius was the unlikely ruler of the Roman Empire from 41 CE to 54 CE. His reign would prove to be one of the longest of the time even though his rise to the throne did not come without opposition. Virtually no-one in Claudius’ family wanted to see him become emperor—only when he turned out to be the last surviving man of the Julio-Claudian dynasty did he ascend to the throne.
Inside you will read about...
✓ Born to Be Cast Out
✓ A Historian and a Husband
✓ The Conquest of Britain
✓ Plots and Intrigues
✓ The Assassination of Emperor Claudius
And much more!
No-one ever expected that the boy that was used as the comparative standard for stupidity by his own mother would become the emperor of Rome. Yet, he did. Claudius reign was riddled with conspiracies and attempts on his life by the Senate that was supposed to serve him. But despite all the opposition to his rule, Claudius would go on to be an able and efficient leader. He expanded the Roman Empire more than any other emperor had since the reign of Augustus.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2019
About the author
Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 4, 2019
"To do nothing evil is good; to wish nothing evil is better."
—Claudius
After finishing this book I was torn between a 3 and 4 star rating so I'm just gonna go with 3.5 to make things a little easier for myself. I'm sure that most people who read my blog and know me a little bit that I'm a big history fan, especially ancient history. Let me just tell you Game of Thrones is nothing compared to the ancient Romans, believe me. So when I saw Hourly History published a book about emperor Claudius I had to read it immediately, of course. And I really ended up liking it a lot.
Going into the book I already knew quite a bit about Claudius because he's part of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and as it's the very first Roman imperial dynasty I've always thought they were really fascinating (+ I'm clearly obsessed lol). But even so I learned quite a few new facts about Claudius and ancient Rome in general, which is great because there's always more to learn about anything historical. Below you'll find some of those facts.
Claudius certainly was a different and reasonably good emperor (aside from the fact that he actually killed an orca whale for his own damn enjoyment and initiating the conquest of Britain) compared ot his predecessor so it was a nice change of pace to read about an emperor in ancient Rome not acting like a total nutcase. And his reign of 13 years was pretty long one compared to most emperors as well, which is really rare actually.
Overall, Claudius: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History was a brief but compelling nonfiction about the life of one of the longest reigning emperors of his time. I wanted it to be longer as usual but for a short story it was informative and obviously didn't take long to read. Very enjoyable!
5 interesting facts I learned:
•Claudius ascended the throne only when he turned out to be the last surviving man of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
•Claudius' predecessor was the infamous Caligula.
•Claudius was married four times and was eventually poisoned by his last wife, Agrippina.
•Claudius' mother Antonia Minor gave birth to him in Lugdunum in Gaul (modern-day France) making him the first Roman emperor to ever have been born outside of Italy.
•Claudius wrote 20 books on Etruscan history.
—Claudius
After finishing this book I was torn between a 3 and 4 star rating so I'm just gonna go with 3.5 to make things a little easier for myself. I'm sure that most people who read my blog and know me a little bit that I'm a big history fan, especially ancient history. Let me just tell you Game of Thrones is nothing compared to the ancient Romans, believe me. So when I saw Hourly History published a book about emperor Claudius I had to read it immediately, of course. And I really ended up liking it a lot.
Going into the book I already knew quite a bit about Claudius because he's part of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and as it's the very first Roman imperial dynasty I've always thought they were really fascinating (+ I'm clearly obsessed lol). But even so I learned quite a few new facts about Claudius and ancient Rome in general, which is great because there's always more to learn about anything historical. Below you'll find some of those facts.
Claudius certainly was a different and reasonably good emperor (aside from the fact that he actually killed an orca whale for his own damn enjoyment and initiating the conquest of Britain) compared ot his predecessor so it was a nice change of pace to read about an emperor in ancient Rome not acting like a total nutcase. And his reign of 13 years was pretty long one compared to most emperors as well, which is really rare actually.
Overall, Claudius: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History was a brief but compelling nonfiction about the life of one of the longest reigning emperors of his time. I wanted it to be longer as usual but for a short story it was informative and obviously didn't take long to read. Very enjoyable!
5 interesting facts I learned:
•Claudius ascended the throne only when he turned out to be the last surviving man of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
•Claudius' predecessor was the infamous Caligula.
•Claudius was married four times and was eventually poisoned by his last wife, Agrippina.
•Claudius' mother Antonia Minor gave birth to him in Lugdunum in Gaul (modern-day France) making him the first Roman emperor to ever have been born outside of Italy.
•Claudius wrote 20 books on Etruscan history.
May 25, 2024
Very enjoyable read.
Liked it. Great overview of Claudius his life and reign as Emperor. Worth a read for anyone interested in this subject.
Liked it. Great overview of Claudius his life and reign as Emperor. Worth a read for anyone interested in this subject.
March 2, 2019
I liked its easy to read format
I would have liked more details, Graves book I Claudius was very entertaining. It would have been nice to have a better understanding of his rule.
I would have liked more details, Graves book I Claudius was very entertaining. It would have been nice to have a better understanding of his rule.
May 14, 2024
Emperor Claudius was not as colorful as some of the Roman emperor’s such as Caligula and Nero but he was an able ruler. He expanded the Roman Empire, built aqueducts and was also a historian. This is remarkable because he was a sickly child and no one expected much from him.
The book is enjoyable because not only did I learn more about Claudius but it also sheds light on the tumultuous times with the intrigues, deceit, adultery, executions, poisoning and assassinations.
The book is enjoyable because not only did I learn more about Claudius but it also sheds light on the tumultuous times with the intrigues, deceit, adultery, executions, poisoning and assassinations.
June 7, 2020
Una lectura muy interesante. Claudio pasó de sufrir estigmatización a convertirse en un emperador. Un proceso plagado de intrigas, asesinatos entre otros males que aquejan a quienes están sedientos de poder. Un hombre muy inteligente pero que al final sucumbe ante la ambición de uno de sus más cercanos.
Vale la pena leerlo!
Vale la pena leerlo!
May 18, 2020
A very stayed story of a much maligned emperor!
A very short history of a much maligned emperor
who used his many physical defects as a cover for a very clever man & emperor who finally fell foul of a dominant wife!
A very short history of a much maligned emperor
who used his many physical defects as a cover for a very clever man & emperor who finally fell foul of a dominant wife!
December 2, 2021
Succeeding a demented tyrant, Caligula, this Roman Emperor, Claudius did remarkably well despite being physically handicapped. The book is all about Claudius' journey who ascended the throne fortuitously but went on to conquer even Britain.
November 17, 2020
Good and quick readable book
I like the consistent and focused approach that the author gives to the topic. It just scratches the surface but in enough deep to get one informed.
I like the consistent and focused approach that the author gives to the topic. It just scratches the surface but in enough deep to get one informed.
May 30, 2021
Reading these back to back about the Roman Empire helps keep perspective.
September 7, 2021
War gut :)
October 16, 2021
Nice very short introduction to a not so well known roman emperor.
November 10, 2021
Claudius
Good short history book that made me want to read more history books. One hour of my time well spent leading about an embarrassment becoming the emperor.
Good short history book that made me want to read more history books. One hour of my time well spent leading about an embarrassment becoming the emperor.
February 8, 2022
Claudius the gullible
I had seen the PBS “I Claudius” some thirty years ago but found this short biography more informative. Too bad his survival skills did not include women.
I had seen the PBS “I Claudius” some thirty years ago but found this short biography more informative. Too bad his survival skills did not include women.
May 10, 2022
I was hesitant
I started it with hesitation, scepticism. But it's interesting, detailed, intriguing. ! / ! / ! / ! / !
I started it with hesitation, scepticism. But it's interesting, detailed, intriguing. ! / ! / ! / ! / !
December 7, 2022
People are assholes
Great detail about the personal relationship s around Claudius! I enjoyed this read! It would be great to have one on Agrippina as well. Hint Hint😁
Great detail about the personal relationship s around Claudius! I enjoyed this read! It would be great to have one on Agrippina as well. Hint Hint😁
January 3, 2023
¡It was interesting! i downloaded this book for my Romans civilizations essay and this helped me a lot with the research.
June 30, 2024
Through, needs maps
This is a pretty thorough review of the emperor's life. A map would be helpful because at times they talk about old countries that don't exist anymore.
This is a pretty thorough review of the emperor's life. A map would be helpful because at times they talk about old countries that don't exist anymore.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews