Clodia of Rome Champion of the republic

The travails of an elite Roman. Classicist Boin depicts the final years of the Roman Republic by tracing the life and fortunes of Clodia (c. 95-44 BC), a prominent aristocrat from a politically progressive family, whose reputation was maligned during an infamous court trial. Daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of reform-minded statesmen, she was married to the wealthy--and "arch-conservative"--Metellus, whose frequent deployments left her in charge of household and financial affairs. Her position was enhanced as his political star rose: In 63 BC he was elected to a prestigious judgeship; in 60 BC he became a consul. When he died in 59 BC, his 36-year-old widow was left with a fortune. Although Roman law required that a widow remarry within 10 months of her husband's death, Clodia, who had been rebellious since youth, instead engaged in an affair with an ambitious 26-year-old, Marcus Caelius Rufus, and actively supported the reform policies of her brother, Clodius. Among the many Romans alarmed at Clodius' agenda was Marcus Tullius Cicero; their conflict, including charges of malfeasance, sent Cicero fleeing into exile. When he returned, he sought a chance to get revenge. That chance came in defending Rufus, accused of attempting to poison Clodia when their relationship soured. Renowned for his rhetorical prowess, Cicero cast blame on Clodia herself. Portraying opinionated women as scheming murderesses, he succeeded in getting Rufus acquitted. Besides casting aspersions on Clodia, the case led to a spate of misogynist laws, obliterating women's political gains and allowing men to maintain their firm grip on power. Boin traces volatile political intrigue and upheaval in Rome, Greece, and Egypt and also conveys quotidian realities of Roman life, including food, medicine, and women's cosmetics. A brisk, richly detailed narrative. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.