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A review by rayarriz
I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith
4.0
In simple English, Phyllis Smith tells the story of Rome's most powerful woman. (Undoubtedly the most powerful woman of all times in ancient Rome, besides Cornelia Gracchi or Agrippina the Younger. )
It's historically accurate, and although I already knew the whole story of the Roman Republic's demise, I hung on until the end. Livia has been portrayed in different ways, usually as ruthless and tyrannical.
What her true motives were, we'll never know. Smith chooses to depict her as a woman who cares solely for the good of Rome, and Octavianus' welfare. She does not grasp for power, but she knows that power enables her to accomplish the things needed to be done. In short, Livia is a patriot. As predicted, she is the mother of great sons, Tiberius, who later becomes emperor, and Drusus, an outstanding general.
It was rumored she poisoned Augustus; Smith potrays a woman deeply in love with her husband, not at all ready to dispose him to place her son on the throne. Because much of the book focuses on the relationship between Livia and Augustus, I would say it is a more of an historical romance rather than simply historical fiction. Overall, pretty good story.
It's historically accurate, and although I already knew the whole story of the Roman Republic's demise, I hung on until the end. Livia has been portrayed in different ways, usually as ruthless and tyrannical.
What her true motives were, we'll never know. Smith chooses to depict her as a woman who cares solely for the good of Rome, and Octavianus' welfare. She does not grasp for power, but she knows that power enables her to accomplish the things needed to be done. In short, Livia is a patriot. As predicted, she is the mother of great sons, Tiberius, who later becomes emperor, and Drusus, an outstanding general.
It was rumored she poisoned Augustus; Smith potrays a woman deeply in love with her husband, not at all ready to dispose him to place her son on the throne. Because much of the book focuses on the relationship between Livia and Augustus, I would say it is a more of an historical romance rather than simply historical fiction. Overall, pretty good story.