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moonlightcupofcocoa 's review for:
Clodia of Rome: Champion of the Republic
by Douglas Boin
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Thank you so much to Netgalley and W. W. Norton for the advance copy. As always, everything I share below is 100% my own.
'Clodia of Rome' by Douglas Boin is an excellent exploration of the late Roman Republic. While Clodia Metelli is the primary focus, with few historical records of her surviving to modern day, at times we must turn our attention to understanding Rome as a whole to better understand or guess at her motivations or actions. There are times when she lurks in the background, but I personally didn't mind because every detail the author introduced helped me understand this strong and brave woman more.
The book does a fantastic job taking the reader through the dramatic daily life of Clodia's contemporaries. We're exposed to the harsh political landscape plaguing the final days of the Roman Republic. It was eye-opening to compare politics then and now and meditate over the similarities and differences.
While watching Clodia grow up, we are introduced to the political and societal influences that helped shape her upbringing and education, as well as that of her brothers especially Clodius. The book helps us understand the reasons the two of them challenged the status quo, be it when it comes to their personal lives or attempting to rectify and stand up for marginalized voices. Not just that, but the author does a great job sharing many daily life details, small ones that I personally hadn't known, that made me feel as if I lived there. Cicero, Clodia's eventual cross-examiner, is also introduced to the readers painting the full picture of his biases and motives that, by the time the trial is explored, one is fully aware of the driving forces behind his words.
By the end of the book, and after reading through Cicero's speech that for years unjustly framed Clodia's reputation, Clodia herself seems to vanish into the shadows. The ending felt abrupt because unfortunately there is simply no way for us to know what happened next to her. It was painful to say goodbye to this vivid woman. But I am thankful that I got the chance to learn more about her, her world as well as her progressive views and attempts at shaping a better Rome.
While I can't say I read much political history, this is one I made an exception for. I am glad I did and I think you should read it, too.
You can also find me on: Instagram
'Clodia of Rome' by Douglas Boin is an excellent exploration of the late Roman Republic. While Clodia Metelli is the primary focus, with few historical records of her surviving to modern day, at times we must turn our attention to understanding Rome as a whole to better understand or guess at her motivations or actions. There are times when she lurks in the background, but I personally didn't mind because every detail the author introduced helped me understand this strong and brave woman more.
The book does a fantastic job taking the reader through the dramatic daily life of Clodia's contemporaries. We're exposed to the harsh political landscape plaguing the final days of the Roman Republic. It was eye-opening to compare politics then and now and meditate over the similarities and differences.
While watching Clodia grow up, we are introduced to the political and societal influences that helped shape her upbringing and education, as well as that of her brothers especially Clodius. The book helps us understand the reasons the two of them challenged the status quo, be it when it comes to their personal lives or attempting to rectify and stand up for marginalized voices. Not just that, but the author does a great job sharing many daily life details, small ones that I personally hadn't known, that made me feel as if I lived there. Cicero, Clodia's eventual cross-examiner, is also introduced to the readers painting the full picture of his biases and motives that, by the time the trial is explored, one is fully aware of the driving forces behind his words.
By the end of the book, and after reading through Cicero's speech that for years unjustly framed Clodia's reputation, Clodia herself seems to vanish into the shadows. The ending felt abrupt because unfortunately there is simply no way for us to know what happened next to her. It was painful to say goodbye to this vivid woman. But I am thankful that I got the chance to learn more about her, her world as well as her progressive views and attempts at shaping a better Rome.
While I can't say I read much political history, this is one I made an exception for. I am glad I did and I think you should read it, too.
You can also find me on: Instagram
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Murder, War