Quo Vadis

[LeavesOfGrass]

Anyone read this book? Never heard a soul mention it in all my years, but Rand mentioned it in one of her philisophical essays. Incredible. I think it was published in 1895 and the author was Polish. The translation is great, so its not a task as it is with Dostoevsky. It was written by Henryk Sienkiewicz and takes place during the time of Nero when the Christian religion was beginning to bud. Regardless of the religious tone, the story itself was quite unique and to speak bluntly, there were some f'd up segments. Anyone familiar with this one? What were your thoughts on it?

[waryan]

Sorry I have not heard of it but am now very interested to find it.

[kiki1982]

Obviously of every Hollywood blockbuster there is a book! I only did not know it was by a Pole.

If I ever come across it, in my Russian/Slavic escapades or in my English roamings, I'll certainly take a look.

[dfloyd]

Of course it can't really be compared to Dostoevsky. The movie was made in the early fifties and has some flaws, but is enjoyable. Peter Ustinov as Nero turns in a remarkable performance. Robert Taylor is the Roman soldier, and, in stretching my memory, I think Deborah Kerr is in it. I would have to consult Wikipedia to be sure.

Some of the scenes are historically incorrect. Christians are being thrown to the lions in the Collessium, but this edifice wasn't built during Nero's reign. Nero's favorite trick was to set Christians ablaze, coated with tar, to illuminate the grounds of his golden palace for his guests' visible pleasure.

If you get through this book, read The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter who is a character in both the movie and book. This is one of the world's first novels. He was known for his impeccable taste and subtle wit. Another one of Nero's tricks was to order a subject to commit suicide; then, Nero would inherit all of the suicide's wordly goods. Petronius Arbiter served a dinner for all his guests while slowing bleeding to death from slit wrists, enjoying the good conversation of friends. He had his wrists bound up so he wouldn't drift off into death quite so soon. He also had a beautifull vase which Nero had admired, so he shattered it, remarking this is one piece Nero wouldn't get. This is where we get our word arbiter, as arbiter of good taste.

Nero's mother, Agrippina, mudered the previous emperor, Claudius, by feeding him poisoned mushrooms (see the Masterpiece Theatre production, I Claudius and read about Nero in Suetonius' Lives of the Twelve Caesars). Nero, who had an incestuous relationship with his mother, finally got tired of her. He built a ship which would collapse after being in water for awhile, and sent Agrippina out in the ship; however, she was a good swimmer and managed to get to shore. So Nero, not being subtle, sent a couple of his praetorian guard to Agrippina, and they strangled her.

After the burning of Rome, which cleared out a lot of property Nero wanted so he could rebuild in a style suitable to his taste, Nero himself committed suicide with the help of a servant. In his last words, he mourned the fact the world was losing such a great poet and actor.

I read in the paper a few months ago where archeologists had discovered the buried remains of Nero's revolving dining room which turned so his guests would have a constantly changing view of scenery about his golden palace. The Collisseum was built right across from his palace, I believe in the reign of Titus.

I haven't touched on the religious aspects of the novel, but Nero did blame the burning of Rome on the Christians although it is probable he set it afire himself. Nero, to say the least, was not a nice person.

[LeavesOfGrass]

By the way, the translation of Quo Vadis is "Where Are You Going?"

[dfloyd]

Whither goest thou?

[jadrianne]

Try also The Teutonic Knights . They are very realistic . The Hollywood version is a romance story but it still has that old magic .

[Annamariah]

I read Quo Vadis years ago, at the age of 11 or 12, and I liked it very much. I've been meaning to re-read it for ages, but I always forget :p Thanks for the remainder, perhap's I'll pick it up the next time I visit my parents :)

[dfloyd]

which is quite good: Ben Hur-a Tale of the Christ. It is also set in the Roman period and many will remember the movie with Charlton Heston and the featured chariot race. It was written by an American, Lew Wallace, who was the territorial governor of New Mexico before statehood.