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Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome, by Anthony A. Barrett
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This is the first biography in English of one of Rome's most famous and infamous women, Livia (58 BC-AD 29), wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius, who dominated imperial politics for decades. The first half of the study presents a chronological history of her extraordinary life followed by a thematic exploration of the huge influence she had which was a continuous source of contention between Livia and Tiberius. Almost half of the book comprises appendices, sources and notes, leaving the first part of the study more accessible to general readers. This is a scholarly work which strives to correct the lasting impression that Robert Graves (in I Claudius ) has left of a manipulative murderess.
- Sales Rank: #1837568 in Books
- Published on: 2002-12-31
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 1.23" h x 6.36" w x 9.46" l,
- Binding: Hardcover
- 464 pages
From Library Journal
Barrett, who has written biographies of Caligula and Agrippina, here reconstructs the life of a noteworthy Roman historical figure about whom little direct information is available. Livia maintained a "deliberate reserve" throughout her life and was steadfastly committed to being the Emperor Augustus's wife. Much has been suggested about the influence she had on her husband during his tenure, and common belief holds that she deliberately poisoned his successors. Barrett counters the mostly negative attacks on her character, arguing that much of what has been said about her is spurious. As such, those responsible for documenting the imperial family, such as the historian Tacitus, get scrutinized. Barrett explores other facets of Livia's personality, such as her interest in horticulture and political patronage. The book presents the general politics of the time and highlights other key figures from imperial Rome. Surprisingly, Livia was highly regarded by the Roman Senate, as well as by other peers, who often commended her for her generosity. Barrett's work is probably denser and more detailed than would interest the average reader, but for those keenly interested in studying ancient Rome it comes as a welcome addition to the genre. Recommended for academic libraries. Isabel Coates, CCRA-Toronto West Tax Office, Mississauga, Ont.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
Barrett is an assured and often amusing guide. -- Mark Golden, Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Barrett's excellent life of Livia…forms a worthy companion to his earlier biography, Agrippina. -- (Choice)
From the Back Cover
"In his previous books on Caligula and Agrippina, Anthony Barrett has amply proven his competence as an imperial biographer. Now he adds an excellent biography of Livia-as appealing to the general reader as it is satisfying to the scholar." -Colin M. Wells, Trinity University, San Antonio
Most helpful customer reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
Livia has left the building
By Carl Reddick
LIVIA (First Lady of Imperial Rome)was just that. She was Augustus' wife and the mother of Tiberius and the grandmother of Caligula, Claudus, and Nero. As the first 'first lady' of the Imperial age she set the tone and pace of what would become the de-facto wife-of-an emperor (Augustus). No one had ever been in this position before. History has painted her as a murdering poisoner but author Anthony Barrett sets the gossip aside and plows right through the original sources teaching us why Tacitus and other primary sources were prejudiced against her and have handed down a tainted picture of her situation. Make no mistake, this was a hard book to read. It is real history by a real historian. But the effort really pays off if you are interested how Augustus and his wife virtually invented the politics that came to run the machinery started by Julius Caesar prior to his slaughter in the Senate House. I give it all 5 stars but caution that you should look elsewhere if you are just starting your adventure in reading about the glory that was Rome.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
What Was Caesar Augustus' Wife, Livia, really like?
By Robin E. Levin
If there is a message in Anthony Barrett’s scholarly and impeccably researched tome on Caesar Augustus’s wife, Livia, it may be that even the best of historical fiction literature should be taken with a grain of salt. Robert Graves’ novels, I Claudius and Claudius the God are classics, but should not be taken at face value. If you want facts, consult an actual historian.
“If the general public has any impression of Livia, the wife of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, it is of the character created by the Welsh actress Sian Phillips in the highly acclaimed BBC-TV series production of I, Claudius, first broadcast in 1976. This popular confusion between the historical and the fictional is hardly surprising, given Phillip’s riveting performance. Cunning and sinister, her Livia devotes every waking hour to her consuming interests: plotting, scheming, conniving, and the cheerful eradication of an assorted variety of fellow citizens, be they strangers, friends, or even close family.
“One of the burdens shouldered by the modern historian is that of correcting false impressions created by the popular media, particularly dangerous when a production is distinguished and the performances brilliant.”
In my pseudo-autobiography, Sempronia, the Sister of the Gracchi, I have Sempronia opining “If ever you are about to be born and the gods grant you the decision as to whether you want to be born into the most illustrious family in Rome, or to some poor family who is just part of the head count, I strongly recommend that you choose the head count family.” Sempronia was referring to her illustrious family, the Scipios, but this advice would go double for someone contemplating being born into the family of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The premature mortality among the members of this family is incredibly high.
But how much, if any of this was the doing of Augustus’ wife Livia? Anthony Barrett believes little or none. He dismisses the deaths Gaius and Lucius, the two elder sons of Augustus’ daughter Julia and Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, as a war casualty and a natural death respectively. The death of the third son, Postumus Agrippa, is clearly murder. It occurred upon the heels of Augustus’s death, and was no doubt upon the order of someone high up in the power structure, but Barrett feels that there is not enough evidence to pin it on Livia.
Barrett sees no evidence of foul play in the deaths of Octavia’s son Marcellus, or in the death of Tiberius’ brother Drusus. Germanicus, the son of Drusus, clearly thought he had been poisoned and said so before he died. Some pin the blame upon Plancina, the wife of Germanicus’ rival, Calpurnius Piso, who was a close friend of Livia. Again, Barrett feels that there is not enough evident to implicate Livia.
Barrett blames the death of Tiberius’ son Drusus on his wife Livilla and her paramour Sejanus. He claims that Livia protected the lives of Germanicus’ widow Agrippina and her sons Nero and Drusus while she lived, and it was only after Livia’s death that they fell prey to the machinations of the scheming Sejanus.
It is entirely possible that Livia exerted a moderating influence upon both her husband Augustus and her son Tiberius. It has been noted that as a young man, Octavian was bloodthirsty but became far less so after he consolidate his power. Might this have been somewhat due to Livia’s influence? Conversely, Tiberius seems to have become more murderous after Livia died. Barrett presents a lot of anecdotal evidence of Livia interceding on the behalf of Romans who had fallen out of favor with the Emperors, both Augustus and Tiberius.
Barrett’s book is not for the casual reader. It is a scholarly and heavily detailed tome of which nearly half the pages are appendices and footnotes. The reader must be motivated to plow through it, but one will find some fascinating information about the Julio-Claudian family and the Roman empire of that period of time.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Exhaustive research
By mitty
I've wavered between a two and three star rating for Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome by Anthony A. Barrett. Finally, on account of his exhaustive research I've come down on a three star rating.
Apparently there is not much in the way of hard evidence as to Livia's personality or actions. Barrett makes it very clear that historians Tacitus', Seneca and Suetonius et als are torn, and conflicting in their portrayal of Livia. The former being the most acid and hostile to Livia.
Barrett begins his biography by devoting paragraphs to speaking of Robert Graves' portrayal of Livia in I, Claudius and Claudius the God, including the BBC filming of same. He states (correctly) that Sian Phillips's portrayal of Livia was so strong, it has taken over popular opinion as the "real" Livia. There is a great deal of truth in what he says. However as far as I am concerned, Barrett has done very little to counteract that picture.
He states time after time (ad nauseam) that there is no verifiable proof of Livia being a poisoner as stated in Graves books. Every step of the way though, Barrett backs up the verifiable events as seen in Graves work. There is nothing to counteract those assumptions of being a poisoner. And, I hasten to admit, as far as I can tell, they are assumptions. We have no forensic proof that Livia poisoned the ones she was accused of poisoning in Graves books. As Barrett presents her Livia did in fact, have motive and opportunity to commit those crimes that she has been accused of.
Livia is presented by Barrett as being the epitome of Roman Womanhood, an example to be followed in every way. Loyal, and doing everything possible to support her husband. Let us also remember that Octavian/Augustus ran roughshod over many to become Emperor, and was politically savvy and an opportunist.
From the Preface:
"One of the burdens shouldered by the modern historian is that of correcting false impressions created by the popular media, particularly dangerous when a production is distinguished and the performances brilliant. This process usually involves the thankless task of demonstrating pedantically that, contrary to popular belief, truth is rarely stranger than fiction, and is usually far less exciting."
Barrett seems to have shot himself in the foot in my view, as he doesn't prove anything, and is far too repetitive, and far too (his word) pedantic.
In fact, as far as I am concerned, methinks the historian doth protest too much.
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