HOUR ONE: The book A Rome of One's Own explores how foundational Roman myths were recorded by historians like Livy, who wrote during Augustus’s reign to explain and flatter the new emperor's prominenc

HOUR ONE: The book A Rome of One's Own explores how foundational Roman myths were recorded by historians like Livy, who wrote during Augustus’s reign to explain and flatter the new emperor's prominence. These retellings often established a good woman/bad woman dichotomy. Hercilia, the wise woman who saved Rome, contrasted with Tarpia, the betrayer. The virtue of Lucretia, culminating in her tragic suicide, catalyzed the end of the monarchy, cleansing the tyranny caused by the ambitious and wicked Queen Tullia. Furthermore, the sources show how women were used politically: the Vestal Virgin Opia was executed based on omens, and Clodia was publicly defamed in court by Cicero, unable to defend herself. 1573 ROMAN WOMEN