The Octave of Claudius is a historical fiction novel written by Barry Pain and first published in 1897. The story is set in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius and follows the life of a young patrician named Lucius Aemilius. Lucius is a talented musician who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy against Claudius and must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Rome to survive. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful slave...