Guy De la Bédoyère

A captivating popular history that shines a light on the notorious Julio-Claudian women who forged an empire​ Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero--these are the names history associates with the early Roman Empire. Yet, not a single one of these emperors was the blood son of his predecessor. In this captivating history, a prominent scholar of the era documents the Julio-Claudian women whose bloodline, ambition, and ruthlessness made it possible for the emperors' line to continue. Eminent scholar Guy de la Bédoyère, author of Praetorian, asserts that the women behind the scenes--including Livia, Octavia, and the elder and younger Agrippina--were the true backbone of the dynasty. De la Bédoyère draws on the accounts of ancient Roman historians to revisit a familiar time from a completely fresh vantage point. Anyone who enjoys I, Claudius will be fascinated by this study of dynastic power and gender interplay in ancient Rome.

Domina

An illustrated chronicle of Britain as a Roman province places the region's conquest and occupation by Rome within a larger context of Romano-British society, in an account that includes coverage of such topics as the construction of Hadrian's Wall, the rule of the emperor Honorius, and the recent archaeological discovery of the Colchester stadium.

A New History

Roman Britain

This book assembles a great deal of evidence for religious practices in Britain, but despite some genuine insights (for example in relating religious sites to natural features and phenomena, and a highly commendable use of ancient sources), in general it is superficial and lacks real empathy with ancient cult. The gruff, colloquial writing style proclaims that this is a plain man's guide' and presumably the avoidance of meaningful engagement with iconography, iconology, art or theology, goes along with this, though for me these are all vital for any understanding of ancient religion. Other books by the author show he can do far better and, indeed, Gods with Thunderbolts betrays signs of a very hasty composition, and reads more like a first draft than a finished product. Guest reviewer - Martin Henig .

Religion in Roman Britain

Gods with Thunderbolts

Roman Towns in Britain

One of the Roman Empire's greatest achievements was religious tolerance, at least by modern standards. It was a world in which Fortuna and Fate ruled the minds of men and women. That world left behind a marvellous legacy of literary and archaeological records. This book attempts to unravel the wide-ranging evidence.

Guy De la Bédoyère

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