A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women

'Hugely entertaining and illuminating... Emma Southon brilliantly walks the line between humour and heartbreak, never shying away from the brutality some of the women endured, yet doing so with the lightest touch and managing to keep their humanity always in focus.' —Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den

‘Southon gives a fresh sense of Roman civilization... She presents ordinary, “small” lives as extraordinary… This is not just a book about the lives of historical women, but one about the history of womanhood… delightful… Southon’s book is a testament to those who were determined not to be left voiceless.’ —TLS

'The women in Southon’s book are nuanced, fearless and thanks to Southon's brilliant storytelling, unforgettable: ambitious kingmakers, charming courtesans, political actors, brave survivors and proud poets. Funny, original and often moving, this is exactly the type of book I wish I could have read when I was younger.' —Costanza Casati, author of Clytemnestra

'A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women is a fantastic read. It is sparkling, irreverent and entertaining... Where was Emma Southon when I studied Roman history!?' —Laura Shepperson, author of The Heroines

'A fresh perspective. Following the lives of 21 women from across Rome and its territories, Southon rollicks through the empire we thought we knew so well.' —Idler

'[A] lively, alternative history… Southon makes the important point that women have often been erased from Roman history… And Southon reminds us of all the behind-the-scenes diplomacy employed by women related to powerful men in order to further their own and their family's interests, which rarely gets mentioned or properly credited… Roman women have always been there – we must now ensure their stories sing out.' —BBC History

'Emma Southon is a truly original voice in popular historical writing. She has this amazing ability to take everything you thought you knew about Roman history, turn it upside down, reorient it, and show it to you anew, all the while making you laugh uproariously because she is, frankly, hilarious. A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women is the history book I didn’t know I needed but I now find indispensable – an instant classic.' —Jane Draycott, author of Cleopatra's Daughter

‘An utter delight to read, full of humour and hugely informative. I loved immersing myself in the lives of so many fascinating women, including one of my favourites from Pompeii. I challenge you not to think of the Roman Empire daily after reading it!’ —Historia Magazine

'A whip-smart and revelatory read. Emma Southon brings us "the story of Rome as told through women" – women like a priestess, a businesswoman, and a poet; women who were queens, rebels, scapegoats, and survivors. This is the history you didn’t know you needed from a writer who should be on everyone’s radar.' —Shelley Puhak, author of The Dark Queens

'A fun and jocular guide.' —ARGO

'With laugh-out-loud humor, Southon not only shares the stories of these women but also delivers valid critiques of existing histories and biased sources. Clever, bold, and refreshingly feminist; readers will be engaged and entertained to the very end. This book deserves a home on library shelves to balance patriarchal nonfiction collections. More histories like this are needed.' —Booklist