Robin Brooks (4) (1961–)

A while ago, I tried reading I, Claudius but gave up after the first chapter because the characters were unsympathetic, and I didn't know much about this period of Roman history. On seeing a BBC adaptation I picked it up for a second try. Typically if I dislike a classic book, the BBC adaption is a revelation and redemption. The acting by Derek Jacobi is excellent. The script and production are also well done with small telling audio details that move the story along. At over 5hrs it is an in-depth treatment.

I, Claudius turns out to be very good. It gets better with each chapter. A theme is schadenfreude, the German concept of taking pleasure in the suffering of others. This happens on multiple levels, the characters themselves who gleefully poison, plot and destroy their enemies and public at large. And for the reader, who then enjoys their comeuppance. Only Claudius is immune, because he is a "simpleton" humanitarian and democrat. Which saves him. But even that is not enough to protect him in the end. It is a dark portrait of Roman aristocratic amorality.… (meer)

May I start by saying: If you're interested in art from Classical Greece or Rome, place this on your TBR list now.

And now that you've cursed me for making your list longer, let me tell you why you want to read it! First, you may be wondering "how can someone sustain an entire book about one tiny little vase"? Quite easily, in fact.

The Portland Vase went through many hands before ending up in the British Museum, and the book details them all in chronological order using an anecdotal approach that makes the book very readable for the non-expert.

Brooks also takes the time to explain the various competing theories on the iconography of the vase (the debate is ongoing, in fact); its reconstruction after being broken on more than one occasion; the attempts at making copies (and the failures); and the ongoing conservation history.

There's a lot to say about this one little vase, and Brooks manages to keep its history light and readable, with enough detail for the scholarly to enjoy, but using layman's terms.

Who knew one vase could have so much history... after its discovery, no less!… (meer)