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librarianonparade's review against another edition
5.0
We are so used to thinking of the Roman Empire in those very terms, as an empire with an emperor at its head, that it is easy to forget that it wasn't always so. Rome was a republic once, and those republican virtues were greatly cherished and defended. Indeed, Julius Caesar was murdered for even daring to presume to raise himself above his fellow citizens. And yet scant years after his death, this king-hating republic was to all intents and purposes dead, although few would acknowledge this then or later, and its death throes were prolonged.
And this all thanks to Caesar's heir and successor, Augustus, the founder of the 'House of Caesar' of the title, more appropriately the House of Augustus. For it was Augustus who stabilised the empire after the years of civil war in the wake of Caesar's death, Augustus who bit by bit chipped away at the independence of the Senate, of the traditional rights and privileges of the elite, who took on titles, eminences and positions, who established the Pax Romana and brought peace and prosperity to the city of Rome, who walked a fine line between soothing the Senate and pandering to the plebs - and it must be said, set the precedent for dynastic manoeuvrings and occasional assassinations. All of his successors - Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero followed consciously in his footsteps, and each killed off a little bit more of the republican heritage of Rome - not to mention their own relatives.
This is vivid, juicy and murderous history, and Tom Holland tells it with real dash and flair - although it would take a historian of some real skill (and not in a good way) to make this boring! This is not boring history, and this is not a boring read. I could hardly put it down. It's very much narrative history, told with a certain wry detached tone that suits the glamour and excesses of these personalities. He makes the tangled politics of the time seem simple and draws intriguing parallels with our own time - the concept of placating the masses with bread and circuses has hardly faded, after all. He takes some artistic liberties as a result of the storytelling process and it isn't overly-burdened with extensive sources and notes - I would imagine genuine historians of the periods and academicians would gnash their teeth somewhat reading this. But as a lively and fast-paced introduction to a truly breathtaking period in history, this can't be beat.
And this all thanks to Caesar's heir and successor, Augustus, the founder of the 'House of Caesar' of the title, more appropriately the House of Augustus. For it was Augustus who stabilised the empire after the years of civil war in the wake of Caesar's death, Augustus who bit by bit chipped away at the independence of the Senate, of the traditional rights and privileges of the elite, who took on titles, eminences and positions, who established the Pax Romana and brought peace and prosperity to the city of Rome, who walked a fine line between soothing the Senate and pandering to the plebs - and it must be said, set the precedent for dynastic manoeuvrings and occasional assassinations. All of his successors - Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero followed consciously in his footsteps, and each killed off a little bit more of the republican heritage of Rome - not to mention their own relatives.
This is vivid, juicy and murderous history, and Tom Holland tells it with real dash and flair - although it would take a historian of some real skill (and not in a good way) to make this boring! This is not boring history, and this is not a boring read. I could hardly put it down. It's very much narrative history, told with a certain wry detached tone that suits the glamour and excesses of these personalities. He makes the tangled politics of the time seem simple and draws intriguing parallels with our own time - the concept of placating the masses with bread and circuses has hardly faded, after all. He takes some artistic liberties as a result of the storytelling process and it isn't overly-burdened with extensive sources and notes - I would imagine genuine historians of the periods and academicians would gnash their teeth somewhat reading this. But as a lively and fast-paced introduction to a truly breathtaking period in history, this can't be beat.
jvan's review against another edition
4.0
Very nearly 5 stars; the early portion about Augustus was 5 stars, easy; Tiberius could be 5 stars; Caligula was 5 stars. But Claudius and Nero were a little less good, and overall, I'd call it closer to 4 than to 5.
That said, this is a really well written book that looks at the Julio-Claudians in a narrow focus, paying attention to all the twists and turns of the dynasty and only glancingly looking to the rest of Roman history; where that history impacts or is impacted by the House of Caesar, it features (and much of it was, of course) but when history doesn't feature them, it doesn't really feature in the book. The focus does the narrative very well. Holland knew what he was doing when he made that choice, and it pays off.
So then, very nearly 5 stars. Maybe it should be 5? Well, I'm leaving it as 4 for the moment.
That said, this is a really well written book that looks at the Julio-Claudians in a narrow focus, paying attention to all the twists and turns of the dynasty and only glancingly looking to the rest of Roman history; where that history impacts or is impacted by the House of Caesar, it features (and much of it was, of course) but when history doesn't feature them, it doesn't really feature in the book. The focus does the narrative very well. Holland knew what he was doing when he made that choice, and it pays off.
So then, very nearly 5 stars. Maybe it should be 5? Well, I'm leaving it as 4 for the moment.
sharon_geitz's review against another edition
4.0
Engaging, very readable account of the Julio-Claudians. A great read, perfect non-fiction holiday read, you can count on the Romans for shock value and sensation, the ultimate soap- opera. Holland does move beyond the old stereotypes and tries to bring greater understanding to the behaviour of those most notorious Romans.
karatedrummer's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat less compelling than Rubicon, maybe because the period of time Holland bites off here is almost frustratingly small. I want to know what happens to the post-Nero generations, dammit. Still very good stuff.
aschwennsen's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly this book was so engaging for a nonfiction historical book. There's no denying that the house of Caesar was full of intrigue and dazzling spectacles but the way Tom Holland wrote about it brought it all to life. This book was witty, and I very much enjoyed every bit of it. I also appreciated that the facts were all backed up, but also that he used the facts to justify his own explanations/take on the emperors' psyches.
cerandor's review against another edition
4.0
Tom Holland returns to the Roman subject matter that marked his first blockbuster history time with the story of the first five emperors and the Julio-Claudian dynasty that they comprised. There is treachery and depravity aplenty here, and once again a reminder that as familiar as the Romans may be, they didn't think in the same way as the citizens of the civilisations that trace their lineage back to them. The focus on five emperors allows for a lot of depth and Holland's trademark psychological insights, but by the end you may find yourself wishing for a greater breadth of scope.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Sometimes I wish I Claudius was true, but then if it was, we wouldn't have nicely detailed books like this.
I highly recommend, you already have a general outline of the time because at points Holland jumps around a bit. I liked that, however, because it shows the relationships between different policies.
Sometimes I wish I Claudius was true, but then if it was, we wouldn't have nicely detailed books like this.
I highly recommend, you already have a general outline of the time because at points Holland jumps around a bit. I liked that, however, because it shows the relationships between different policies.
marielaabrown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Kept losing attention but was a comprehensive and well written account of the House of Caesar. From the the crude to political this was a great follow up to the Nero Exhibition at the British Museum.