A Rome of One's Own

The Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire

By: Emma Southon

Narrated by: Danielle Cohen

From the acclaimed author of A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a wildly entertaining new history of Rome that uses the lives of twenty-one extraordinary women to upend our understanding of the ancient world

The history of Rome has long been narrow and one-sided, essentially a history of “the Doing of Important Things.” It is a history of winning battles, passing laws, and “Having Important Opinions in Public.” And as far as Roman historians have been concerned, women don’t make that history. From Romulus through “the political stab-fest of the late Republic,” and then on to all the emperors, Roman historians may deign to give you a wife or a mother to show how bad things get when women get out of control, but history is more than that.

Emma Southon’s A Rome of One’s Own will correct that. This is a retelling of the history of Rome with the Important Things, but also all the things Roman history writers relegate to the background—or designate as domestic, feminine, or worthless. This is a history of individuals, twenty-one women who span the length of its territory and its centuries, who caused outrage, led armies in rebellion, wrote poetry, lived independently or under the thumb of emperors. A social and cultural history told with humor and verve as well as a deep scholarly background, A Rome of One’s Own highlights women overlooked and misunderstood, and through them offers a fascinating and groundbreaking chronicle of the ancient world.

©2023 Emma Southon (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Reminded me I love to learn and read histories

the reader did a great job and the story itself is a fun portrayal of history! I appreciated the author stating what is fact and what is their opinion, I loved what she included and gave myself a new view on Roman history. plus some things I hope to search deeper into!

Fabulous!

I highly suggest this book. Well researched and written, wonderful narration, and the sarcasm at times is on point!

Rome (Emma’s Version)

Absolutely obsessed with this author and all of her work. Such interesting and varied stories about Roman life through the ages of its existence… Emma Southon, you never miss!!!

Truly lovely. So much information and so fun to learn

I couldn’t help how fast I listened to this book because it was just so good. The pacing is perfect, informative but not overwhelming. There were some things I looked into more after hearing in the book and a ton of stuff that I’ve looked up in the past and always had unanswered questions about that Emma touched on. It’s like every question you think of, she is answering in the next sentence. This is the kind of history book we need more of. At times I felt so emotional listening to these stories about women that I can relate to today. We have always been here. It’s heartbreaking to think of the stories lost to time because women could not write down our own histories and men did not deem them meaningful. It’s such a treasure to listen to this book and learn about those that have hung on despite it all.

Lovers of the Vulgar History podcast, this one’s for you!

The absolutely amazing story of Ancient Rome told from a new perspective. Emma offers simultaneously detailed historical analysis of primary source material that is sure to satisfy the discerning listener as well as witty commentary and her own hot takes on history, femininity, and what we think we know about Ancient Rome. Come out with more titles soon!!!

The Empire from a neglected perspective

Interesting and fun stories at the heart of Roman culture and significant events. It was a very enjoyable listen with humor sprinkled in with historical fact.

Very informative and filled with humor

Loved this summary of the history of the Roman Empire through the lens of various Roman women. I have read all of this author’s books and really enjoy her humorous and modern style. I really enjoyed the narrator’s performance as well and my only quibble is that she mispronounced Elagabalus’ name a few times. I admit it’s a mouthful of a name to keep repeating but I found that a little distracting. Nevertheless, I would recommend this audiobook if you like Roman history and want a new perspective on it.

Another banger.

Emma Southon delivers another fun spear thrust at Rome that always delivers enough interesting tidbits, perspectives and chuckles to keep you from ever getting bored. Great stuff.

Know those regular people

I really enjoyed this book. I’ve read 2 books from this author and I really like her writing style. A good read.

Another Wonderful Work

I've listened to both "A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "Agrippina" by Emma Southon, and pre-ordered this title. The author manages to explain things in a way that's incredibly engaging and entertaining without compromising the actual history. While both the narrators for her previous books were good, I think this one, Danielle Cohen, is perfect for the very funny (and British) style the writer has.

This is a really great book. It's great history and great fun.