A story that was the subject of every variety of misrepresentation, not only by those who then lived but likewise in succeeding times: so true is it that all transactions of preeminent importance are wrapt in doubt and obscurity; while some hold for certain facts the most precarious hearsays, others turn facts into falsehood; and both are exaggerated by posterity. |
I'm so impatient - I just had to start and thought that the Tacitus was a good jumping off point. I have just finished I, Claudius - again - and loved it - again. I'll try to refrain from posting any "spoilers" until everyone is finished.
How far along are we?
What does everyone think so far?
What do you think of Graves' portrait of Livia?
I love chapter IX - historians discussing how history should be written.
It is interesting to be reading a "history" about a "historian" from a historical perspective - good literary technique by Graves I thought; very good use of the available facts on Claudius. I really like his first person use here - gives the whole story an immediacy - a feel of "now" that would be otherwise missing.
So - was that Tiberius Claudius Nero? or Tiberius Claudius Nero? or Tiberius Claudius Nero? or … I'm so confused!
Now that we are all completely confused by all the names - here are a few links that might help to clear things up a bit - - - or not. These pages all list the Julio - Claudian family tree - interesting that each one is slightly different from the next…
These are fairly complete as far as I can see - lists some adoptions but not all spouses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperors/JulioClaudian - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperors/JulioClaudian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_dynasty - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_dynasty
These cover most of the characters: http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/claudian.htm - http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/claudian.htm http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/julian.htm - http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/julian.htm http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/julioclaudian.htm - http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/julioclaudian.htm http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/ptolemy_family.htm - http://www.ancientroute.com/Trees/ptolemy_family.htm
This one actually lists Plautia Urgulanilla among the wives of Claudius - and tries to show the multiple marriages and adoptions: http://www.roman-emperors.org/jclaud1.htm - http://www.roman-emperors.org/jclaud1.htm
BTW - Janus - again - this was a great idea - thanks for getting us started.
------------- In the time of your life, live - so that in that wonderous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it. (Saroyan)
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