Livia the Poisoner: Genesis of an Historical Myth
Loading...
Date
1994
Authors
Calhoon, Cristina G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of California, Irvine
Abstract
This dissertation examines the ambiguity with which Roman literary tradition has invested the figure of Livia, portrayed both as the embodiment of the virtues of the ancient Roman matron and as the prototype of the
unscrupulous and power-hungry female. The portrayal by certain Roman historians (Tacitus, Suetonius, Dio Cassius
and Velleius) of Livia as "gravis in rem publicam mater, qravis domui Caesarum noverca," is re-evaluated in light of
archeological and numismatical evidence. Special attention is given to the role of literary stereotypes, both positive
and negative, of politically ambitious women, as well as to
the narrative patterns of episodes in Tacitus' Annales,
Livy's history, and the work of Dio Cassius.
The material of this study is divided into two parts.
The first examines the historical Livia in the context of
the evolution of the Augustan principate, with particular
attention to the creation of her public role through the
conferment of special honors and the emergence of her cult. Part Two investigates the image of Livia presented by
historiographers. A preliminary discussion of the
ideological function of the "ideal" matron, and of that of
her opposite, the woman who seeks public recognition for her
political capacities, provide the background necessary to
examine the different elements of Livia's literary image.
The figure of Lucretia is examined vis-a-vis her opposites,
Rome's Etruscan queens, who present striking similarities to
Tacitus' Livia and to her granddaughter Agrippina, mother of
Nero. Also discussed are the figures of brilliant and
energetic women who rejected traditional tenets of conduct
and were perceived as a threat to Rome's political order.
These observations are combined in the final chapter, where
the figure of Livia is examined through a discussion of figures
(e.g. the step-mother, the witch), certain of whose characteristics converge in the literary portrayal of "Livia
the poisoner."
Description
viii, 351 p.
Keywords
Citation
University of California, Irvine Thesis, Dept. of Classics, Ph. D., 1994