Count Belisarius [Paperback]

Robert Graves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1982

The sixth century was not a peaceful time for the Roman empire. Invaders threatened on all fronties, but they grew to respect and fear the name of Belisarius, the Emperor Justinian's greatest general. With this book Robert Graves again demonstrates his command of a vast historical subject, creating a startling and vivid picture of a decadent era.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Ranke Graves (1895-1985) was a British poet, novelist, and critic. He is best known for the historical novel I, Claudius and the critical study of myth and poetry The White Goddess.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (October 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374517398
• ISBN-13: 978-0374517397
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #556,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ROBERT GRAVES (1895-1985) was an English poet, translator, and novelist, one of the leading English men of letters in the twentieth century. He fought in World War I and won international acclaim in 1929 with the publication of his memoir of the First World War, Good-bye to All That. After the war, he was granted a classical scholarship at Oxford and subsequently went to Egypt as the first professor of English at the University of Cairo. He is most noted for his series of novels about the Roman emperor Claudius and his works on mythology, such as The White Goddess.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great historical novel by the master of the genre himself., June 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Count Belisarius (Hardcover)

If you loved "I, Claudius" please read this book as well! It's about the sixth century Byzantine general Belisarius in the service of the great emperor Justinian. Belisarius is the scorge of the Vandals, the Persians and the Goths, but they are not the only enemies he has. Back in Constantinople the emperor, jealous of his succes, is continuously plotting against his loyal subject. If it weren't for the friendship between Belisarius' wife and the empress Theodora, things would have looked much bleaker for the Roman empire because Belisarius is doing just fine in kicking the barbarians back to the frontiers of the old empire. Fans of historical novels and Graves will find much to enjoy here and in the process learn a lot about a relatively unknown period in the history of the Roman empire, namely the one after the fall of the Western Empire and between the actual Byzantine period. This is a period when the emperors in Constantinople still considered themselves to be masters of the entire mediterranean, if not in actuality , then at least in name and constantly strove to reassert their authority. In conclusion this is a real pearl and not to be misssed by fans of Graves or for that matter by anybody interested in reading great historical novels.

Remco Groeneveld

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Count Belisarius - Byzantine Rome's Greatest General, March 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Count Belisarius (Hardcover)

This was a fine book by a great author. While "Goodbye to All That" undoubtedly was Graves' best work, "Count Belisarius" runs a close second. Graves takes us on a journey through the unbelievable achievements of this extradorinarily virtuous man who was so little appreciated by his emperor. Graves puts his own spin on some of the historical events in the novel - or at least he disagrees with some earlier historians - but the novel is well written and gives a great insite into the causes for Rome's decline and eventual collapse.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Look to the source, December 12, 1999

By 

cecilia (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Count Belisarius (Hardcover)

This book may not be one of Graves' best but in the spirit of Gibbon, he captures his sources well. However, for entertainment and a more immediate sense of the history, you may find it more worth your while to read Graves' source: Procopius, The Wars (not The Secret History!). It is less sentimental and gives a more edgy account of Belisarius' struggles and incomprehensible end.