# I, Claudius by Robert Graves

11 Hacker News commenters recommended I, Claudius by Robert Graves and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend this book for its solid fictionalization of Roman history and family lineage, and for the strong BBC adaptation. One critic says the sets feel bound.

## Why people recommend it

- Strong recommendation for the book (2 comments): "it's my 2026 book of the year despite being written in the 30s" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48137316)) "I highly recommend the books FWIW" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48522230))
- Solid, well-acted BBC production (3 comments): "had a number of excellent actors in it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50295759)) "It's a solid 70s era BBC production." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48525943)) "I, Claudius is a great show" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50295359))
- Helps with Roman family history (2 comments): "Those who lack this family knowledge would want to start with the first episode" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50295446)) "Having trouble following names? Read I Claudius." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48669209))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian](https://hackerapproved.com/p/aubrey-maturin-series.md): 18 recommend
- [The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas](https://hackerapproved.com/p/three-musketeers.md): 12 recommend
- [The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut](https://hackerapproved.com/p/maniac.md): 12 recommend
- [Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian](https://hackerapproved.com/p/master-and-commander.md): 7 recommend
- [The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson](https://hackerapproved.com/p/baroque-cycle.md): 7 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "I, Claudius by Robert Graves", https://hackerapproved.com/p/i-claudius/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).