Explore the real-world places that appear in I, Claudius by Robert Graves. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Palatine Hill, Theatre of Marcellus, Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Campus Martius, Domus Transitoria and 7 more.
Site of the Imperial Palace complex
The heart of Claudius's world, where he witnessed the madness and murders of his family. Here Augustus held court while Livia plotted poisonings in the shadows. Young Claudius stumbled through these corridors, dismissed as an idiot while observing Tiberius's growing paranoia. Later, as emperor, Claudius would rule from these same halls, remembering the bloodshed that brought him to power.
The Palatine Hill was the legendary birthplace of Rome and became the exclusive residential district for emperors. Augustus built the first imperial palace here around 28 BC, which was expanded by successive rulers into a vast complex of buildings, courtyards, and gardens.
The Palatine Hill is now an archaeological site and museum. Visitors can explore the ruins of imperial palaces including the House of Augustus and House of Livia, with frescoes and mosaics still visible from Claudius's era.
Visit: Palatine Museum and Archaeological Site (museum)
Via del Teatro di Marcello
Claudius recalls attending theatrical performances here during Augustus's reign, where political messages were often embedded in the plays. The young prince observed how the crowd's reactions could shift imperial policy. Later, as emperor, Claudius would use public entertainments to gauge popular sentiment and demonstrate his connection to traditional Roman values.
Built by Augustus and completed around 13 BC, the Theatre of Marcellus was the largest and most important theater in Rome, seating up to 20,000 spectators. It was named after Augustus's nephew and intended heir, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, who died young.
The ancient theater survives as a partially intact structure with medieval and Renaissance buildings constructed on top. The ground level houses restaurants and shops, while the ancient stone arches remain visible from the street.
Visit: Theatre of Marcellus (historic site)
Capitoline Hill summit
Claudius participated in crucial religious ceremonies here throughout his life. As emperor, he would climb these steps to offer sacrifices and consult the gods before major decisions. The temple represented the divine sanction of imperial power that Claudius, despite his physical disabilities, eventually claimed as his right to rule Rome.
The most important temple in Rome, dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, it was built in the 6th century BC and rebuilt several times. The temple served as the religious and political heart of the Roman state, where triumphal processions ended and new consuls took their oaths.
The Capitoline Museums now occupy this site, built over the ancient temple foundations. The museums house one of the world's greatest collections of Roman sculpture and artifacts, including pieces that would have been familiar to Claudius.
Visit: Capitoline Museums (museum)
Field of Mars - between the Tiber and city center
The massive field where Claudius witnessed military parades and public assemblies. Here he observed the Praetorian Guard's growing power under Sejanus during Tiberius's reign. Most dramatically, it was near here that the Praetorians discovered Claudius hiding behind a curtain after Caligula's assassination and proclaimed him emperor, changing his life forever.
The Campus Martius was originally a flood plain used for military training and public assemblies. By Augustus's time, it had become filled with monuments, theaters, and public buildings, serving as Rome's primary venue for large gatherings and ceremonies.
This area is now central Rome, including the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The ancient character as a space for public gathering continues, though now filled with Renaissance and Baroque architecture rather than Roman monuments.
Visit: Pantheon (historic site)
Nero's palace connecting Palatine and Esquiline Hills
Though built after Claudius's death, this represents the culmination of the imperial excess that Claudius both witnessed and contributed to. The palace's extravagant construction reflects the growing megalomania of the Julio-Claudian dynasty that Claudius helped perpetuate, despite his own attempts at more modest leadership compared to Caligula.
The Domus Transitoria was Nero's first imperial palace, built around 60 AD to connect the Palatine and Esquiline hills. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and replaced by the even more extravagant Domus Aurea.
Ruins of the Domus Transitoria can be seen beneath the Domus Aurea archaeological site. The foundations and some decorated rooms survive, showing the incredible luxury of imperial residences in the first century AD.
Visit: Domus Aurea (historic site)
Valle Murcia - Rome's greatest racetrack
Claudius attended the chariot races here throughout his life, using these public spectacles to connect with the Roman people. As emperor, he expanded the circus and used the games to demonstrate imperial generosity. The roaring crowds provided a stark contrast to the quiet scholarship that defined much of his private life.
The Circus Maximus was the largest stadium in the Roman world, seating up to 300,000 spectators. Dating back to the 6th century BC, it was repeatedly expanded and renovated by various emperors, reaching its greatest size under Trajan.
The site is now a public park with the ancient track outline visible as a green oval. Archaeological excavations have revealed sections of the original structure, and the space is used for concerts and public events.
Visit: Circus Maximus Archaeological Park (park)
The heart of Roman political life
The political center where Claudius witnessed the machinations of Roman politics from childhood. Here he observed the Senate's growing powerlessness under Augustus and Tiberius. As emperor, Claudius would address the Senate from this forum, defending his policies and trying to restore some dignity to the institution his predecessors had weakened.
The Roman Forum was the commercial, judicial, and political center of ancient Rome. For over a millennium, it was the site of public speeches, criminal trials, gladiatorial matches, and commercial affairs, making it the most important public space in the empire.
The Roman Forum is one of Rome's most important archaeological sites. Visitors can walk among the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government buildings, including structures that Claudius would have known intimately.
Visit: Roman Forum Archaeological Park (historic site)
Roman Forum - sacred flame of Rome
Claudius held deep reverence for this most ancient Roman cult and its Vestal Virgins. As Pontifex Maximus, he was responsible for maintaining Rome's religious traditions, including ensuring the sacred flame never died. His scholarly interest in Roman antiquities made him particularly devoted to preserving such ancient rituals.
The Temple of Vesta housed the sacred flame that was believed to protect Rome. The circular temple was tended by the Vestal Virgins, priestesses who took vows of chastity and maintained the eternal fire for 30-year terms.
The circular foundation of the temple remains visible in the Roman Forum, along with parts of the House of the Vestal Virgins nearby. The site helps visitors understand the central role of religion in Roman political life.
Visit: Roman Forum Archaeological Park (historic site)
Viminal Hill - headquarters of imperial guards
The fortress of the Praetorian Guard, whose loyalty determined imperial survival. Claudius knew these soldiers held the real power in Rome - they had murdered Caligula and found him cowering in the palace, then proclaimed him emperor almost by accident. Throughout his reign, Claudius had to balance their demands with his own political agenda.
Built by Sejanus around 23 AD under Tiberius, the Praetorian Camp consolidated the emperor's personal guard into a single fortified complex. This concentration of military power near Rome's center made the Praetorians kingmakers in imperial succession.
Parts of the ancient walls survive in the modern Castro Pretorio district. The National Roman Museum displays artifacts from the Praetorian Guard, including weapons and inscriptions from Claudius's era.
Visit: National Roman Museum - Baths of Diocletian (museum)
Campus Martius - where Julius Caesar was killed
Though predating the main narrative, this site haunted Claudius's family history. Julius Caesar's assassination here in 44 BC led to the civil wars that brought Augustus to power and established the dynasty Claudius would eventually inherit. The building served as a reminder of the violence underlying imperial rule.
Built by Pompey the Great in 55 BC, it was Rome's first permanent stone theater. The attached senate house was where Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, 44 BC, an event that changed Roman history forever.
The theater's curved outline can be traced in the street pattern of modern Rome. Some ancient walls survive incorporated into later buildings, and the site is marked by plaques explaining its historical significance.
Palatine Hill - Augustus's personal shrine
Augustus built this temple next to his house to honor his patron god Apollo. Claudius would have participated in ceremonies here and later, as emperor, maintained the building as part of his respect for Augustan traditions. The temple's famous library was where Claudius likely conducted some of his historical research.
Dedicated in 28 BC, this temple celebrated Augustus's victory at the Battle of Actium. It housed precious artworks and one of Rome's most important libraries, making it both a religious and cultural center of the early empire.
Archaeological remains of the temple foundations are visible on the Palatine Hill. The site is part of the larger Palatine Museum complex, where visitors can see artifacts that may have come from the temple's collection.
Visit: Palatine Museum and Archaeological Site (museum)
The Great Sewer - beneath the Roman Forum
As emperor, Claudius took pride in Rome's infrastructure, including the ancient sewer system that kept the city functioning. His practical nature and engineering interests made him appreciate such unglamorous but essential public works. He oversaw major construction projects with the same attention to detail.
Built in the 6th century BC, the Cloaca Maxima was one of the world's earliest sewage systems. It drained the marshy valleys between Rome's hills and allowed the Forum to be built, making it fundamental to Rome's development as a major city.
The ancient sewer still functions and can be visited on special tours. Its massive stone arches demonstrate Roman engineering skill and remain largely intact after more than 2,000 years of continuous use.
Visit: Cloaca Maxima Tours (tour)
More by Robert Graves: All Robert Graves books
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