4.5/5

Southon's writing is so easy to read, incredibly accessible and humorous. I loved every minute of it! It's such a brilliant way of discovering all the different reigns of the Julio-Claudian emperors (of whom I knew very little about before this) whilst looking through a more modern, feminist lens. I appreciated how Southon laid out all the evidence (or lack of evidence) and explicitly stated when her theories were just theories. It must be so difficult to try and piece together any semblance of a narrative throughout this period, with such a lack of sources, the surviving ones all contradicting each other and adding a little extra drama in here and there, or being influenced by their own biases. I really admire how well-researched and knowledgeable Southon is on the subject and am excited to begin my own readings on Roman history. This was an amazing starting point.

The Romans were a messy bunch! (But it just makes their drama all the more delectable!) I appreciated how funny and absurd it was at times, I loved Southon's very refreshingly modern take. It reminded me a lot of Natalie Haynes, if you like her nonfiction writing style I'm sure you'll love this too. But, for all its humour, it also held a lot of poignancy.
It was genuinely heartbreaking to read about some of the things that befell them, and it struck me every time Southon mentioned how often Agrippina lost the illumination of history, and how many deemed much more insignificant than her we will never get to hear about. Agrippina was only included in writings when she was doing something 'wrong', when she refused to be a good Roman wife or mother. It devastates me, as I'm sure it devastates Southon and other Roman scholars and historians even more, that Agrippina's own writings and memoirs are lost.

Although so much is lost or forgotten, it always astounds me how much remains. It's incredible that we have any texts at all from such a long time ago, that there are still structures standing. Even in the city where I live, there are still Roman ruins, so much history imbued into the place.
There's always a very existential feeling that comes after I read any book about history, and I find it so important to hold onto that. To think about all those history has forgotten and all those it will forget, and to know that those lives that aren't remembered were still worth everything to the people that lived them.

I want so much more! I want to read novels upon novels about Agrippina, about so many women and marginalised people throughout history. (I am a lover of the feminist retelling renaissance through and through!) It's so fascinating to read about such a wildly different time and place that also holds elements of the familiar, a place that innovated the structures that lots of our countries continue to implement. We still drive Roman roads!

I, very obviously, loved this book and it's definitely one that I will return to. I'm in awe of it and I hope to continue to learn much more. I'll definitely be reading Southon's other books, and feel free to comment if you have any other recommendations! I'd highly recommend Agrippina.