Overview

The Imperial Women of Rome explores the constraints and activities of the women who were part of Rome's imperial families from 35 BCE to 235 CE, the Roman principate. Boatwright uses coins, inscriptions, papyri, material culture, and archaeology, as well as the more familiar but biased ancient authors, to depict change and continuity in imperial women's pursuits and representations over time. Focused vignettes open each thematic chapter, emphasizing imperial women as individuals and their central yet marginalized position in the principate. Evaluating historical contingency and personal agency, the book assesses its subjects in relation to distinct Roman structures rather than as a series of biographies. Rome's imperial women allow us to probe the meanings of the emperor's authority and power; Roman law; the Roman family; Roman religion and imperial cult; imperial presence in the city of Rome; statues and exemplarity; and the military and communications. The book is richly illustrated and offers detailed information in tables and appendices, including one for the life events of the imperial women discussed in the text. Considered over time and as a whole, Livia, the Agrippinas and Faustinas, Julia Domna, and others closely connected to Rome's emperors enrich our understanding of Roman history and offer glimpses of fascinating and demanding lives.

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9780197777008

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The work takes an interesting approach, at once deeply thematic and loosely chronological, to present readers with a comprehensive, and comprehensible, picture of the lives of the female family members of the principes. * JANE SANCINITO, The Classical Outlook * The book will deservedly be used as a first companion for future research on Roman imperial women and can be regarded as a milestone for the study of queenship in Ancient History * Alexander Thies, Sehepunkte * The question central to B.'s book, at its simplest, is: did imperial women have power? And the simple answer is: yes, they did ... Problematising the answer to this simple question provides B. an opportunity for the creation of a book-length study, which treats related issues thematically rather than diachronically. * MARY R. MCHUGH, The Classical Review * [A] magnificent exposition.... By paying close attention to the details of material and literary evidence, [Boatwright] has produced an enthralling book that fleshes out admirably our perceptions of these Roman imperial women. * Times Literary Supplement * This excellent work on Roman imperial women by Mary T. Boatwright sums up many years of research in this field. More and better scholarship on Roman imperial women has emerged over the past few decades, providing these historical figures with the attention they deserve. However, in some cases the misogynistic vision with which they were portrayed by ancient authors has survived until the present. With this new book, Boatwright provides us with an excellent work closely based on source analysis, leaving behind any biased impressions. * Helena Lopez Gomez, University of Santiago de Compostela, History Department * Hemmed in by social custom, stereotyped as madonnas or whores, blocked from employment, maligned by gossip, damned in memory and blamed for Rome's failings, still they persisted. How they survived and flourished within the strictures of their day is a worthwhile story that is finally brought to light in this enlightening and thorough study. * Classical Journal-Online * Boatwright provides us with an excellent work closely based on source analysis, leaving behind any biased impressions.... A signal contribution to the field. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review * This is a necessary book, essential reading for students and scholars alike. * Classical Journal-Online * The first monograph devoted to the public role of empresses, The Imperial Women of Rome fills an important gap in scholarship on the imperial government. * Choice * We are faced with an exemplary work on imperial women. Boatwright elaborated an exhaustive study on the subject that was proposed without neglecting the management of sources and bibliography. * Cadmo-Journal for Ancient History *

The work takes an interesting approach, at once deeply thematic and loosely chronological, to present readers with a comprehensive, and comprehensible, picture of the lives of the female family members of the principes. * JANE SANCINITO, The Classical Outlook * The book will deservedly be used as a first companion for future research on Roman imperial women and can be regarded as a milestone for the study of queenship in Ancient History * Alexander Thies, Sehepunkte * The question central to B.'s book, at its simplest, is: did imperial women have power? And the simple answer is: yes, they did ... Problematising the answer to this simple question provides B. an opportunity for the creation of a book-length study, which treats related issues thematically rather than diachronically. * MARY R. MCHUGH, The Classical Review * [A] magnificent exposition.... By paying close attention to the details of material and literary evidence, [Boatwright] has produced an enthralling book that fleshes out admirably our perceptions of these Roman imperial women. * Times Literary Supplement * This excellent work on Roman imperial women by Mary T. Boatwright sums up many years of research in this field. More and better scholarship on Roman imperial women has emerged over the past few decades, providing these historical figures with the attention they deserve. However, in some cases the misogynistic vision with which they were portrayed by ancient authors has survived until the present. With this new book, Boatwright provides us with an excellent work closely based on source analysis, leaving behind any biased impressions. * Helena Lopez Gomez, University of Santiago de Compostela, History Department * Hemmed in by social custom, stereotyped as madonnas or whores, blocked from employment, maligned by gossip, damned in memory and blamed for Rome's failings, still they persisted. How they survived and flourished within the strictures of their day is a worthwhile story that is finally brought to light in this enlightening and thorough study. * Classical Journal-Online * Boatwright provides us with an excellent work closely based on source analysis, leaving behind any biased impressions.... A signal contribution to the field. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review * This is a necessary book, essential reading for students and scholars alike. * Classical Journal-Online * The first monograph devoted to the public role of empresses, The Imperial Women of Rome fills an important gap in scholarship on the imperial government. * Choice *

Author Information

Mary T. Boatwright is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at Duke University. Her previous books include Peoples of the Roman World, Hadrian and the Cities of the Roman Empire, and (with Daniel J. Gargola, Noel Lenski, and Richard J. A. Talbert) A Brief History of the Romans.

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