The novel on my PhD reading list today: I, Claudius (1934) by Robert Graves.

The story is told as Claudius’s autobiographical account of his family’s dynasty from the assassination of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.) through the reigns of Octavian/Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula (A.D. 41). I had loved the BBC VHS series by the same title, but as is often the case, the book was even better. It was of particular interest to me to consider that Augustus reigned when “shepherds were abiding in their fields...,” and Tiberius reigned when a carpenter from Nazareth began his preaching ministry.

I couldn't put it down. And I came away with new appreciation for the apostle Paul's advice to "aspire to the quiet life." Graves leaves no doubt that the safest place is as far away as possible from the center of power! Four stars.