Robert Graves’ magnificent reconstruction of the grandeur and folly and vileness of the early Imperial Rome is one of the most distinguished historical novels of the 20th century.

The action is strange, tragic and ludicrous, for Rome is under a curse of the gods with whom she broke when she destroyed Carthage and lost all moral self-control. Poison , blasphemy, treachery, incest, black magic and other sort of vice flourish.
Considered an idiot because of his physical infirmities, Claudius survived the intrigues and poisonings of the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula to become emperor in 41 AD.