';An illuminating and highly readable narrative about the role of women at the center of imperial Romefascinating and important.' Lesley Adkins, author ofHandbook to Life in Ancient Rome Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nerothese 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 Bedoyere, author ofPraetorian,asserts that the women behind the scenesincluding Livia, Octavia, and the elder and younger Agrippinawere the true backbone of the dynasty. De la Bedoyere draws on the accounts of ancient Roman historians to revisit a familiar time from a completely fresh vantage point. Anyone who enjoysI, Claudiuswill be fascinated by this study of dynastic power and gender interplay in ancient Rome. ';In contrast to most histories of Rome which focus almost entirely on the exploits of its male emperors,Dominaexamines the women who partnered them in power, from the perfect Roman wives Livia and Octavia to Cleopatra, Agrippina the Younger and the trio of Severan Julias who all stepped far beyond tradition to dominate the Roman world.'Joann Fletcher,author of The Story of Egypt ';Enjoyable, fluently written and well-balanced in approach. De la Bedoyere leaves no stone unturned by way of evidence, which he carefully evaluates with regard to its context and reliability.'Pat Southern, author ofThe Roman Army
