I had great expectations for this book as the role of women in ancient Rome is sadly underrepresented or understood. Unfortunately, this book did not quite come up to snuff; it was aimed more at the academic in that if you do not have a basic command of Latin, or a good Latin to English dictionary handy, or, if you do not have a basic understanding of Roman history and society, the book will fall short of your expectations. In fact, it seems to me that the author was trying to burnish his academic credentials by writing this book.
I do have a basic grasp of Roman history and society, so I was looking for a book to expand on those basics, to bring some new light to how the role of women did evolve in the transition from the Republic to the Empire? Was it due to actual legislation or was it simply brought about by the expanded luxury and decay during the Empire? How were the traditional roles and responsibilities of the husband and wife changed and how did it impact the politics of the time? Unfortunately, these questions were not covered adequately, and I don’t believe that I really picked up much new information aside from the chapter on women’s medicine and women’s health.
The list of chapters is excellent, including Women in the Familia, Women in the Public Eye, Women and Religion, etc. but aside from pointing out that the Romans were as suspicious and concerned about witchcraft as the barbarians surrounding them, in my mind, there is little new information. Plus, the author spends a good deal of time (especially in the chapter on religion) referring to the Greeks and their customs.
Leave a Comment