Domina: The Women Who Made Imperial Rome

The book explores the Julio-Claudian women who played a crucial role in the Roman Empire, despite not being blood sons of their predecessors. The author, Guy de la Bédoyère, highlights their bloodline, ambition, and ruthlessness as the driving force behind the dynasty. Drawing on ancient Roman historians' accounts, the book offers a fresh perspective on dynastic power and gender interplay in ancient Rome.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

A captivating popular history that shines a light on the notorious Julio-Claudian women who forged an empire​

Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero—these are the names history associates with the early Roman Empire. Yet, not a single one of these emperors was the blood son of his predecessor. In this captivating history, a prominent scholar of the era documents the Julio-Claudian women whose bloodline, ambition, and ruthlessness made it possible for the emperors’ line to continue.
 
Eminent scholar Guy de la Bédoyère, author of Praetorian, asserts that the women behind the scenes—including Livia, Octavia, and the elder and younger Agrippina—were the true backbone of the dynasty. De la Bédoyère draws on the accounts of ancient Roman historians to revisit a familiar time from a completely fresh vantage point. Anyone who enjoys I, Claudius will be fascinated by this study of dynastic power and gender interplay in ancient Rome.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300254846