Customer Reviews

Agrippina: Sex, Power, and Politics in the Early Empire

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had a copy of this book since it was first published and have found it an invaluable resource. Anthony Barrett discusses the life of Agrippina and her times completely, and presents a well-formed opinion on the more obscure and difficult aspects of Roman history. Claudius, for example, comes off as being intelligent and politically astute rather than an ugly, dithering fool. The complexities and politics of Claudius' reign are very well discussed. Aspects of Agrippina's life (that are usually taken for granted) are examined in full by Mr. Barrett. Did she poison Claudius? It certainly appears to have suited her aims in keeping Nero as the sole heir to the empire but there are so many inconsistencies among ancient sources that renders it impossible to definitely say Agrippina did the crime.

Mr. Barrett also discusses the closing years of Agrippina's life as the Empress Mother particularly well. He covers the lack of any information about her in sources and relates her presumed murder at Nero's hands in detail with a critical view of what Tacitus, Suetionius and Dio say what happened. He does not go into detail concerning points of view that suggest Agrippina was, in truth, involved in a conspiracy but he does make mention of this idea and footnotes the article.

In short, a very readable and balanced account of the younger Agrippina. Mr. Barrett takes the time to present a full picture of Agrippina, her family and her role in Roman history. In particular, I found the description of Nero's youth and path to becoming Claudius' successor as more detailed and of greater use than Miriam Griffin's book about Nero. The bibliography is among the more useful I have encountered. Readers will find Mr. Barrett's account of the early empire to be stimulating.

Antony Barrett, as a historian and biographer, accomplishes more in this work than providing a persuasive case as to why Agrippina the Younger has been misjudged and requires rehabilitation. One of the additional values of this biography of Agrippina, is the appreciation that the reader obtains as to the reality of maintaining ongoing political balance between the elite who comprised the executive and legislative branches of Roman government. Agrippina, as a daughter, sister, niece, wife and mother, was a lifelong protagonist in this politic, playing for personal survival or Julio-Claudian family pre-eminence and dynastic continuation. The end of the Republican political compromise is thrown into relief by Antony Barrett's focus on the diplomatic balance that Agrippina rationally maintained, and the political chaos which preceded, punctuated and followed her life is better explained by our understanding of her work methods in various political partnerships. Agrippina was, and remains, a rare and fascinating commodity.

This is the first book published in English written solely about the life of Agrippina. FYI the original title of this book, published in England, was "Agrippina, Mother of Nero." The subtitle of this book is great because she really embodied all of this. She used marriage and sex to get power and make political decisions through first her brother Caligula then her husband Claudius then her lovers Seneca, Dio and others then finally through her son Nero. When Nero was a child emperor and he was advised by tutors, namely Seneca, Agrippina wielded huge influence on the entire Roman Empire. The first and pretty much only woman ever able to do that in ancient Rome. Even after Nero grew up and killed Seneca and everyone else who plotted against him Agrippina still influenced Nero on public policy and probably advised him on who to kill next. Barrett argues that she made wise decisions. However, it wasn't enough to stop her son from killing her in 59 after a lovers fight. Apparently they had an argument and subsequent falling out and when you fall-out of favor with Nero you could count on certain death; mother or not. Barrett's got some great stuff in here. A section on "Significant Events and Figures" is a great reference and contains lists like Agrippina's husbands, lovers, and victims. He also has a good timeline of her life, a few maps, and a lot of further reading in the huge 20 page bibliography. It is the only book in English on the subject.

Overall, this was a very good biography of Agrippina. The author should be commended for writing a biography from the perspective of a highly influential and important woman during Imperial Rome. The author certainly takes an academic approach to the study, and appears to have done a good job with research and use of sources. His treatment of Agrippina seems fair and even-handed. The author does a very good job of providing the story of Agrippina, the Imperial family, and other important Romans. My only criticism of the book is that somewhat more background about Roman society, social classes, the economy, foreign affairs was needed. Nevertheless, the author has provided us with a very informative and entertaining biography. I will undoutedly read his newest book on Livia. I highly recommend this biography of Agrippina.

The only reason that I didn't give 5 stars was the constant latin quotation. Sorry I'm taking Latin at present, but it wouldn't kill an academic author to write a book ENTIRELY in english! Besides that pet peeve, this was an excellent book! Not a fast read, but worth it. Barrett writes a wonderfully balanced tale of one of the most reviled women in Rome and shows that she was simply an ambitious women who wanted the most for her son. Albit she was a bit overzealous, she is not as bad as everyone assumes!

This text undertakes a thorough investigation of the life of Agrippina. Many events are "toned down" and the author is reluctant to propose any theories based upon personal understanding alone - a shame considering he must have more understanding of her actions and motivations than any other.