The Octave of Claudius is a historical fiction novel written by Barry Pain and published in 1897. The book is set in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius and follows the story of a young man named Marcus, who is a musician and a poet. Marcus is invited to perform at a banquet hosted by the Emperor, where he meets and falls in love with a beautiful woman named Livia. However, their love is forbidden, and they must navigate the dangerous...