Honor Cargill-Martin

Through the case of Messalina, who has been much maligned throughout history, the author presents a balanced feminist critique of imperial Rome, which she wryly describes as "the misogynistic patriarchy that we call the birthplace of Western civilisation, rationality and liberty." She makes a compelling argument that the aspersions cast on Messalina reflect the fears of (male) historians and politicians about emperors and the changes in Roman society. Recommended for all libraries.