Fascinating, but I question how true the descriptions of wickedness are. Justinians's wife Theodora, for example, was described by her worst enemy, Procopius, in a "secret" book. How many others were described by enemies, one wonders.
Interesting insight much appreciated. Most if not all the women here are described as manipulative, promiscuous, women of shameful lust seducing married men etc. Given that most of these descriptions were offered by men I would definitely question them. When men behave in a similar manner is rarely remarked upon. The new female writers are shedding a new perspective on the role and lives of women from the classical era.
Excellent points! We have had different articles looking into many of these women over the years that shed a VERY different perspective... I thought it would be interesting to see what the comments would be regarding this list, which I felt was a bit more 'traditional' (ie, as you say, written by male historians)
Oct 16, 2022·edited Oct 16, 2022Liked by Classical Wisdom
No, no, no. Livia as the number one villain? This is just slander. Livia was highly intelligent, here all sources agree. She would never kill Augustus, with whom her position was safe. Tyberius was much less secure for her, even being her son. Their relationship was not that cosy. No 'optima mater' here. Augustus died of old age, he expected to die and prepared for it.
As for other deaths, I don't believe she was behind them. Too risky. Too many people interested in their sister or daughter replacing Livia as the wife of Augustus. One of them would surely inform the ruler. Once I read this somewhere: Augustus was a political genius. Do you believe he would not notice that the person closest to him is a serial killer?
He respected Livia and loved her all his life, and died in her arms, telling her to remember their marriage.
The only scandalous thing about Livia was the way Augustus married her.
It is interesting how much Robert Graves' book did her an injustice... but of course Tacitus didn't help either. I'll make sure to post some articles we have published showing her in an alternative light.
Fascinating, but I question how true the descriptions of wickedness are. Justinians's wife Theodora, for example, was described by her worst enemy, Procopius, in a "secret" book. How many others were described by enemies, one wonders.
Excellent point! And it does make getting to the truth of the matter difficult...
Fascinating.
Interesting insight much appreciated. Most if not all the women here are described as manipulative, promiscuous, women of shameful lust seducing married men etc. Given that most of these descriptions were offered by men I would definitely question them. When men behave in a similar manner is rarely remarked upon. The new female writers are shedding a new perspective on the role and lives of women from the classical era.
Excellent points! We have had different articles looking into many of these women over the years that shed a VERY different perspective... I thought it would be interesting to see what the comments would be regarding this list, which I felt was a bit more 'traditional' (ie, as you say, written by male historians)
No, no, no. Livia as the number one villain? This is just slander. Livia was highly intelligent, here all sources agree. She would never kill Augustus, with whom her position was safe. Tyberius was much less secure for her, even being her son. Their relationship was not that cosy. No 'optima mater' here. Augustus died of old age, he expected to die and prepared for it.
As for other deaths, I don't believe she was behind them. Too risky. Too many people interested in their sister or daughter replacing Livia as the wife of Augustus. One of them would surely inform the ruler. Once I read this somewhere: Augustus was a political genius. Do you believe he would not notice that the person closest to him is a serial killer?
He respected Livia and loved her all his life, and died in her arms, telling her to remember their marriage.
The only scandalous thing about Livia was the way Augustus married her.
It is interesting how much Robert Graves' book did her an injustice... but of course Tacitus didn't help either. I'll make sure to post some articles we have published showing her in an alternative light.
would like to know, before acquiring the membership, if it is possible to receive it in Spanish. If so, count me in
¡Lo siento! En este momento solo publicamos en inglés.