Ein Kampf um Rom

Ein Kampf um Rom

by Felix Dahn

This is a story - perhaps the story - of the clash between two great civilizations of the sixth century of the Common Era, when the Roman Empire had crumbled into dust; the struggle for Rome, and for Italy, between the Eastern Roman Empire of Byzantium, ruled by Justinian, and the Gothic warrior tribes who had captured Italy under their legendary king Theodoric. of these events which shook the world as they knew it; most are historical figures and some are imaginary but typical; Justinian and his beautiful and scheming wife, Theodora; the great commander Belisarius, immortalised by Robert Graves; Totila and Teias, two Gothic kings, one as bold and bright as the sun and the other as black as night; and Cethegus, the Prefect of Rome and the last of the Romans, whose cold and calculating nature runs through the book like a steel thread, who will stop at nothing to regain the ancient city, and who, in the end, fails and redeems his many crimes with a hero's death. Firmly based on historical fact and contemporary sources.He makes our sympathetic interest center especially round the Goths, this most gifted of all the Germanic peoples, in regard to whom Hodgkin says in his Italy and her Invaders, The preservation of the Gothic kingdom would have helped forward the civilization of Europe by five centuries, and would perhaps have contributed something towards the softening and en nobling of human life even at the present day.Their short glory in Italy and their tragic fate Dahn has made the life-pulse of his powerful novel.In selecting episodes for publication from this work, care has been taken to leave out as little as possible of that part of the novel which treats of the tragedy, the life and customs of the Goths.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics, German Literature, Ebooks, Novels, Drama

Paperback

First published January 1, 1876

About the author

Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn (1834-1912) war ein deutscher Professor für Rechtswissenschaften, Schriftsteller und Historiker.

Reviews

[Yeliz Elze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jemand anders hat in deren Review "nothing for Girls" geschrieben aber ich muss sagen: es ist absolutely for the girls!!!
Wir haben Intrigen, Verschwörungen, Freundschaften, Affären, dramatische Tode von Hauptfiguren, i'm not like other girls- Girls, durchgedrehte Männer, Manipulationen und bisschen queer-baiting zwischen Totila und Julius. Ist Grey's Anatomy "nothing for girls"? Ist die Ilias von Homer "nothing for girls"??? Netflix, wann Serie zum Buch?!!!!!

[FetterKlovn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read that book in German some years ago. It was recommended by a friend who had read it at young age and I gave it a try.

What shall I say? While the setting and the history of the Goths are very interesting indeed, the story of that book sucks big-time. All those noble germanic Goths, always backstabbed by women, romans, pirates and other villains. No wonder Felix Dahn was sort of proto-fascist or rather an important intellectual source for early National Socialism. And that being bad already it even has some extra-stupid scenes where your mind just wants to stop reading this book.

No recommendation from my side.

[Tobias · Rating 1 out of 5]

Furchtbar. Es war wirklich anstrengend durch dieses Buch durch zu kommen. Das ständige Durchbrechen der vierten Wand, um dem Leser zu zeigen, dass man wirklich geschichtlich und geografisch bescheid weiß, der langatmige, umständliche Schreibstil, die ganze Haltung bezüglich menschlichem Verhalten und Charakter, die immer wieder zum Ausdruck kommt. Ein Buch, bei dem es nicht wundert, dass man vorher nie davon gehört hat.

[Susu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Historischer Roman - so schwülstig wie die Gemälde des Historismus. Nö, das muss man nicht wirklich zu Ende lesen ...

[Ulla · Rating 1 out of 5]

My history teacher was great fan of this. He recommended it at every opportunity. The teachers lessons were good but I disliked the book. Nothing for girls.

[Josef Komensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and captivating book from the times of Byzantium.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a child of the 20th Century I have come to expect historical fiction to conform to certain conventions. Call me spoiled, but unless the story is touted as an "alternate history" I think that the major historical characters in the story should go through the same experiences and share the same fate as their counterparts in real life. I also think that the major events described in the novel should mirror those reported by historians. Let me emphasize, I'm talking about major points - like kings being captured when they really should have been killed in action or vice versa. It's the realistic writing tradition stemming from the late 19th Century that's made me a stickler on such details. Sorry.

I reckon writers of the 1860s didn't feel bound by such things. At least Felix Dahn did not. Not completely anyway.

This historical novel describes the 6th-century conflict for the control of Italy among the Goths, the Italians (mostly the aristocrats living in Rome) and the Imperial Government in Constantinople (known as the Byzantines in this book). Almost all the characters are historical. The story is told through the many different players in this complex conflict, thus giving contrasting insights into the character and motivation of these very different peoples. The main fictional character, Cethegus, a scheming Roman, is the connecting character who manipulates people and events to his own ends.

The story is based on fact. Dahn used real history as a framework (and the framework is sound) but he certainly took liberties - the drama, the deviations, and embellishments he introduced to the timeline of historical events had me constantly on my toes checking to see what was real and what came from his imagination.

Thus I became a constant visitor to Chapters XVIII and XIX of J.B. Bury's History of the Later Roman Empire: From the Death of Theodosius I to the Death of Justinian

What kind of liberties did the author take? The first one I caught was giving Cethegus credit for rebuilding the defenses of Rome that should have rightly gone to Lord Belisaurius who actually had to finish the project under pressure of imminent Gothic attack. The fictional character had the luxury of working at a leisurely pace over months. I figured OK, it's a novel. He's got to give Cethegus something to do.

In real life, Witichis, a newly elected Gothic king cemented his position by marrying Princess Matasuntha, against her will, in order to link himself with the older royal dynasty. In the novel, King Witichis is forced to divorce a wife he loves to marry a young princess he doesn't so as to end a short, but bloody civil war. Dahn invented a soap opera and a Gothic civil war for his story. Why?

In the novel, Witichis is held prisoner by Cethegus, rescued by his ex-wife and they both die in a hail of arrows while attempting to escape from imperial forces. Queen Matasuntha skewers herself with Witichis's sword rather than marry into the emperor's family. In real life, Witichis and Matasuntha were captured and brought to Constantinople where they were treated very well. Justinian I appointed him patricius and furnished him with a generous pension. When Witichis died, Germanus, a cousin of the Emperor Justinian, took Matasuntha in marriage.

And then there's the Viking fleet that sails into the Mediterranean to help out their Gothic cousins - just a few hundred years before they were actually ready for the job.

The list goes on, but you get the idea. Herr Dahn invented a lot of stuff that does not square with what the historians have to say. This is not the type of historical novel I have grown up with.

Despite this, I rather enjoyed the ride. The way I see it, if you are a serious history buff there are two approaches you can take to enjoy this novel.

Approach #1: You can read a history of the Gothic Wars in conjunction with this story and play a big game of Gotcha. "Hey, Herr Dahn! There's another tall tale you threw in there for fun. Viking long boats didn't go out in those kinds of numbers yet. Gotcha!"

Approach #2: You can simply forget that this is supposed to be historical fiction and read it as a fantasy novel instead. You know...just like A Game of Thrones. After all that is based on history as well. Take this approach and you have a downright gripping tale, a sweeping epic chock-full of memorable heroes and villains and compelling events, and if you take the time to separate the wheat from the chaff you may even learn some history.

The central figure of Cethegus displayed many of the traits advised in Machiavelli's The Prince. In order to advance his agenda, this man constantly resorted to a high level of underhanded and devious behavior that always amazed me. Towards the end, I even began to admire him for no matter how bad the situation he never gave up.

Brutality is portrayed quite actively, but without undue emphasis on the gore. Indeed it's done rather Homerically. Goth leader Tejas is a true warrior. He has prisoners bound and drowned. He beheads hostage Roman senators because citizens in Rome massacred the Gothic garrison there. He explains his thinking...

"Did they not fall upon our defenceless women and children in their peaceful homes, and slay them? This is no longer a war between warriors; it is nation murdering nation. Let us do our part."

The final battle is as thrilling as "The Battle of the Bastards" in A Game of Thrones television series. The fight is fought on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius with fire belching from the craters. First the Goths advance and slay a bunch of Byzantine heroes. Then a small force of Greeks get behind the main Gothic line and nearly overrun the HQ/Trains area until Tejas drops back and saves the day. Then he renews the general attack and nearly routes the entire Byzantine Army, but then Cethegus intervenes and blunts the Goth attack. And then...well I don't want to spoil it for you, but here's a small sample of the battle:

The two Franks, Chlotachar and Bertchramn, hurried up at the same moment, swinging the franciska, a weapon similar to Teja's battle-axe. Both axes whizzed through the air at once. Teja caught one upon his shield; the second, which came hurtling at his head, he parried with his own axe, and in another moment he stood between his two adversaries, whirled his axe round him in a circle, and at one blow the two Franks fell right and left, both their helmets beaten in.

Yes, indeed. What the book lacks in historical accuracy it makes up for in drama and excitement. A Struggle for Rome is not a bad read, but it is a long one.

[Katharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rare case of a book I simply have to review. This is a highly recommended read from me, simply for the amazingly detailed plot, interesting characters and almost high-fantasy-style storytelling.
It’s a slow read for sure but well worth it once you get going.
It’s incredibly immersive despite being a rather old book and for anyone that likes the Roman Empire, its subsequent downfall or fascinating tales of death, heroism, sacrifice and many, oh so many conspiracies.
The protagonists are oftentimes larger-than-life, yet also very realistic and down-to-earth in their humanly struggles and the intrigue is palpable in every sentence.
It’s not just a book for the historically-interested, it’s a book for anyone looking for a good distraction and a quick way to time travel to another period of humankind‘s existence.

[Linda Is on her way · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, I found the telling of the story okay or even good. It's about history though and I find it as bit dry. What annoyed me is the reason, that one single man manipulated and directly or indirectly killed seven or even more kings, queens and everyone who got in his way. He even lies to his own son. The guy has some sort of god complex merely because he's some heir of Julius Cesar, he's narcissistic and thinks he knows everything, women are the devil, men don't cry, he calls Rome his.... It doesn't stop. And he just never dies. It was extremely frustrating, especially since the book isn't exactly short.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite!

[Brianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Die Geschichte an sich und auch den Schreibstil mochte ich an sich, aber es wurde unnötigerweise soooo sehr in die Länge gezogen, dass das Lesen einfach keinen Spaß gemacht hat. Nach zehn Seiten hab ich das Buch meist erstmal wieder zur Seite gelegt.

[Aaron Schülein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wenn auch zwischendurch langatmig doch ein prägendes Buch das ich nie bereuen werde gelesen zu haben. Ein schriftstellerisches Meisterwerk und das Ende war Grandios.Hail König Witichis

[Yara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra leuk als je in Ravenna bent geweest

[AlannaMorgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this historical Drama

[Legens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild concept of a historical novel. One of the protagonists, the prefect of Rome (and thus a person of interest to all the chroniclers and historians), is freely invented. Others are rendered as the author sees fit. And all of that is soaked in grim them-or-us hypernationalism which was not universal in the 19th century and which is disturbing post-1945. Also, wide swathes of the book are detailed descriptions of landscapes and garments.
And yet it works. Sure, the Goths are our heroes and the Byzantines our villains - but is not Belisarius a hero still? And Theodahad a villain? And Cethegus, the invented prefect of Rome, is both at the same time. And then there are Totila, Julius, Valeria, who attempt to bridge the (unhistorical) gap between the ethnicities and build a Gothic-Roman state and people.

[Mk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contrite ending, fitting for a Western of old mold where the Calvary arrives just in time to save the day but it provides insight into German thinking around the end of the 19th C. Interesting facts of 6th C. Italy. Must compare to the real history from Procopius.

[John Bitrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully realized and plotted classic historic novel set at the last gasp of the Western Roman Empire as Roman and not other. Heroism and faith without the indulgence of contemporary irony.