feminine imperial ideals in the caesares

276 Pages·2008·1.24 MB·English

by  Hugh Crumley

FEMININE IMPERIAL IDEALS IN THE CAESARES OF SUETONIUS
by
Molly M. Pryzwansky
Department of Classical Studies
Duke University

Date:_______________________
Approved:

___________________________
Mary T. Boatwright, Supervisor

___________________________
Jennifer Clare Woods

___________________________
Lawrence Richardson, jr.

___________________________
Sharon L. James

___________________________
Grant R. Parker

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in the Department of
Classical Studies in the Graduate School
of Duke University

2008
ABSTRACT
FEMININE IMPERIAL IDEALS IN THE CAESARES OF SUETONIUS
by
Molly M. Pryzwansky
Department of Classical Studies
Duke University

Date:_______________________
Approved:

___________________________
Mary T. Boatwright, Supervisor

___________________________
Jennifer Clare Woods

___________________________
Lawrence Richardson, jr.

___________________________
Sharon L. James

___________________________
Grant R. Parker

An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of Doctor in the Department of
Classical Studies in the Graduate School
of Duke University

2008
Copyright by
Molly M. Pryzwansky
2008
Abstract
The dissertation examines Suetonius’ ideals of feminine conduct by exploring the
behaviors he lauds or censures in imperial women. The approach comes from
scholarship on the biographer’s practice of evaluating of his male subjects against a
consistent ideal. This study argues that Suetonius applies the same method to imperial
women. His tendency to speak of women in standardized rubrics (ancestry, marriage,
the birth of children) suggests that he has a fixed notion of model feminine behavior, one
that values women for being wives and mothers.
Chapter 1 argues that because Suetonius’ Lives center on male subjects, his
picture of women is fragmented at best. The biographer uses this fragmentation to
manipulate his female characters. Livia, for instance, is cast as a “good” wife in the
Augustus, but as a “bad” mother in the Tiberius. Suetonius’ often inconsistent drawing of
women reveals that he uses them primarily to elucidate certain aspects of their
associated men. Having a “good” wife, mother, or sister reflects well on an emperor,
while having a “bad” one reveals his lack of authority.
Chapter 2 explores the role of mother. Atia serves as the “good,” silent type and
Livia and Agrippina the Younger the “bad,” meddling type.

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Chapter 3 investigates the role of wife. Livia exemplifies the “good,” loyal wife
who is not politically active, while Agrippina the Younger illustrates the “bad,” sexually
manipulative wife who murders her husband to advance her son.
Chapter 4 looks at members of the wider imperial family, noting that Suetonius
writes more about sexually promiscuous women, such as Drusilla and Julia, than those
women, like Domitilla the Younger, who followed social norms by marrying and
bearing children. As a result, the Caesares are slanted towards negative portrayals of
women.
Chapter 5 “reassembles” the fragmented picture of women. The small role that
Suetonius writes for Poppaea reveals his independence from Tacitus. The biographer’s
portrayal of Livia and Agrippina subverts ideals espoused on imperial coins and statues.
Overall, the most important role for women in the Caesares is that of mother. By
focusing on his portrayal of women, this study also sheds light on Suetonius’ use of
rhetoric and stereotypes.

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Contents
Abstract.........................................................................................................................................iv
List of Abbreviations................................................................................................................viii
Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................xiii
1. Introduction: the Fragmented Woman..................................................................................1
1.1 Reframing Suetonius........................................................................................................8
1.2 The Ideal Emperor..........................................................................................................16
1.3 The Ideal Imperial Woman...........................................................................................24
1.4 Imperial Women in the Caesares: a Fragmented Picture.........................................44
2. Optima Mater: the Imperial Mother......................................................................................54
2.1 The Good, Silent Mother: Atia......................................................................................59
2.2 The Bad, Interfering Mother: Livia and Agrippina the Younger.............................71
2.3 The Relationship between the Imperial Mother and Son.........................................94
2.4 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................105
3. Uxoria Ornamenta: the Imperial Wife..................................................................................112
3.1 The Good Wife under Her Husband’s Control: Livia.............................................116
3.2 The “Bad” Wife Who Controls Her Husband: Agrippina the Younger...............140
3.3 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................157
4. Flagitia et dedecora: Sisters, Daughters, Granddaughters, and Nieces............................162
4.1 Sisters and Stuprum.....................................................................................................170
4.2 Imperial Mistresses......................................................................................................199

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4.3 Imperial Women as Mistresses: Julia and Messalina..............................................206
4.4 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................224
5. Conclusion: Reassembling the Fragmented Woman.......................................................227
5.1 Suetonius and Tacitus: Poppaea.................................................................................227
5.2 Suetonius and Women.................................................................................................235
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................243
Biography...................................................................................................................................263

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List of Abbreviations
Ancient Sources:

Augustus (Aug.)
RG Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Catullus (Cat.) Carmina

Cicero (Cic.)
Cael. Pro Caelio

Cons. ad. Liv. Consolatio ad Liviam

Dio, Cassius (Dio) Roman History

Gellius, Aulus (Gell.)
NA Noctes Atticae

Herodian (Hdn.) Roman History

Horace (Hor.)
Carm. Carmina

Josephus (Jos.)
AJ Antiquitates Judaicae

Juvenal (Juv.) Satires

Livy History of Rome

Lucian
Alex. Alexander
Dial. Mort. Dialogi Mortuorum

Martial (Mart.)
Epig. Epigrams

viii
Nicolaus of Damascus (Nic. Dam.)
Bios Life of Augustus

Ovid (Ov.)
Am. Amores
Ars am. Ars amatoria
Her. Heroides
Trist. Tristia

Pausanias (Paus.) Description of Greece

Pliny the Elder
NH Natural History

Pliny the Younger
Ep. Epistulae
Pan. Panegyricus

Plutarch (Plut.)
Alex. Alexander
Ant. Antony
Caes. Caesar
Cic. Cicero
Cons. ad Ux. Consolation to his Wife
Crass. Crassus
Luc. Lucullus
Mor. Moralia

Sallust (Sall.)
BC Bellum Catilinae

Scriptores Historiae Augustae (SHA)
Car. Caracalla
Comm. Commodus
Had. Hadrian
Macr. Macrinus
Sev. Septimius Severus
Ver. Lucius Verus

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Seneca the Younger (Sen.)
Apocol. Apocolocyntosis
Brev. Vit. De brevitate vitae
De Ben. De beneficiis

Silius Italicus (Sil. It.) Punica

Soranus
Gyn. Gynecology

Statius (Stat.)
Silv. Silvae

Suetonius (Suet.)
Aug. Divus Augustus
Caes. Caesares
Cal. Caligula
Claud. Divus Claudius
Dom. Domitianus
DVI De viris illustribus
Gal. Galba
Gramm. De Grammaticis
Iul. Divus Iulius
Nero Nero
Otho Otho
Tib. Tiberius
Tit. Divus Titus
Vesp. Divus Vespasianus
Vit. Vitellius

Tacitus (Tac.)
Ann. Annales
Dial. Dialogus
Hist. Historiae

Valerius Maximus (Val. Max.) Memorable Doings and Sayings

Velleius Paterculus (Vell.) Roman Histories

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