Felix Dahn (1834–1912)

One could consider this book as a long eulogy to the Ostrogoths, the branch of the Goths who dominated Italy in the 5th and 6th century. Starting with a strong base in Ravenna, eventually they are honourably and heroically defeated on the slopes of My Vesuvius.
However, the story as told by Felix Dahn is majestic. The Goths portrayed as kind and inclusive, but yet pagan. On the other hand there are the cruel, cynical and conniving Romans and Byzantines, but nominally Christian.
Central to the story is the prefect of Rome, the fictional character Cathegus, who is both brilliant and brave, and also manipulative and most untrustworthy. As fictional as he is, the author has woven him into the true story as it appears to be understood (not by me, but according to the translator), with the Romans keen to be rid of the Goths and remain independent, and the Byzantines keen to regain the Western part of their Empire.
It a massive book, but really worth the effort to read.… (mer)

Ik las deze historische roman als tiener en nooit heb ik sindsdien nog een indrukwekkender historisch verhaal gelezen als dit. Tegen het historische decor van de machtsstrijd tussen de Gothen in Italië, de oorspronkelijke Romaanse bevolking en de Griekse keizer worden een aantal fantastische personages geplaatst die de lezer nooit meer zullen verlaten. De 'final stand' van de Gothenleider Teja op de flanken van de Vesuvius kan zonder twijfel wedijveren met die van koning Leonidas in de slag bij Thermopilae. Dit is een opera in boekvorm, dat omschrijft nog het beste het effect. De moderne lezer moet zichzelf enkele tientallen pagina's de kans geven om zich aan te passen aan het tragere, bredere, zwaardere ritme van de tijd waarin dit geschreven werd, maar indien men die inspanning doet is de beloning adembenemend. Eén van de beste boeken die ik ooit las.… (mer)

This epic 1877 novel, magnificently translated from the German by Herb Parker, is one of the greatest historical novels I have ever read. It relates the tragic story of the last years of Gothic rule in Italy during the mid-6th century after the death of its greatest ruler Theodoric in 526 until its demise in 552 at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. The heroism of King Teias (the last Gothic king) at the final confrontation is extraordinary and reminded me of King Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae. The major fictional character is Cethegus, the Prefect of Rome, who will stop at nothing to recover the Eternal City from the Goths and the Byzantines. I believe that the Goths were depicted in a somewhat more favorable light considering the author's nationality, but in any event they are more deserving of our sympathy than the scheming Cethegus or greedy and weak Justinian (the latter so-called "the Great" by history but revealed here to be completely under the influence of his dissolute and notorious wife Theodora). I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in a compelling story based on real events and people that lived almost 1500 years ago. For a less sympathetic view of the Goths, read Count Belisarius by Robert Graves. Belisarius was one of Justinian's two great generals (the other being Narses, both of whom play large roles in the two books). I feel that reading both books will afford a more balanced view of the Goths, Italians, and Byzantines.… (mer)