( A discussion of Livia was started by Kristina Wood. Many others joined in at the Facebook Ancient Rome Refocused Group site. Either read it there or read it below.)
Kristina Wood
I’m just wondering…I’m reading Robert Graves’ “I, Claudius,” and was wondering, how accurate is it? Was Livia really as horrible as the story paints her or is she painted that way simply for the plot’s sake?
Paul Weimer
I suspect Rob could do an entire episode on the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Robert W. M. Greaves
My understanding is that “I, Claudius” is pretty much based on some of the gossip that was flying round in ancient Rome. How much of it was true would depend on who you asked.
Gustavo Oliveri
Well, it’s ALWAYS a version .. :/
Daniels McLean
Read the chapter on Claudius in Suetonius’Lives of the Twelve Caesars. [His full name] Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus. If you have a kindle or other e-reader, it’s available for free from Amazon or Project Gutenberg.
Rob Cain
I was watching HBO’s Rome. There was a scene where a young Livia tries to push Atia — Augustus’s mother — out of line when they are all about to step out onto a balcony to welcome Augustus back from Egypt.
“It’s a matter of precedence.” I think was her excuse, before Atia Balba Caesonia (by the way, daughter of Julius Caesar’s sister) used some choice words to tell her where to go.
I couldn’t help thinking that maybe Livia’ s demeanor was a younger version of what was seen in the 70s TV show I CLAUDIUS…which was a murderous maternal hellion in letting nothing from stopping her son Tiberius from rising to the imperial purple.
I wonder how much scriptwriters and writers of fiction and movies influenced by what was written before.
Was Livia really this way? Did she really have a hand in the deaths of Marcellus, Marcus, Agrippa, Gauis and Lucious Caesar, Agrippa Posthumus, Germanicus, to top the list off with her own husband?
Tacitus in his ANNALS OF IMPERIAL ROME merely has accusations, a book written a century after the events and based what scholars might say is ‘uncertain accuracy.’
Well, he was certainly closer to events than I am.
Livia does get a fair shake from Suetonius (THE TWELVE CAESARS) which is neutral and somehow favorable to her.
So who is right?
The attempts to get inside what the Windsors are actually like (and their ‘family business’ as they call it) is just as hard as interpreting the motives of the first Roman Imperial family. Historians, artists, and playwrights have filled in gaps and suspicions.
Here is a small example (and a small one). A few years ago a movie came out called CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. It was based on the adventures of Frank Abagnale Jr., a 16 years old boy who posed as an airline pilot and through check fraud amassed millions of dollars.
In the book (Frank Abagnale SENIOR was a hard working guy who came upon hard times). In the movie there were many deviations from the actual story, but Abagnale’s father is portrayed as someone skirting the law and eventually getting into trouble with the IRS. How else can you explain having such a ‘bad’ son? (note* He was caught, did time, and started his own security business).
The book at the end includes a Q and A session with the author that asks the about the portrayal of his father. Abagnale Jr. responds: “It’s just a movie.”
That’s true…it is…but imagine that that was YOUR father (or any relative you held high in esteem). In a way its changing history and I think there are many historical figures that are bent and shaped for the purpose of drama and good story telling.
Sure, Livia could have been a murderous viper, and then again maybe not. Who is telling the story? How close are they to the main characters? How close are they to them in history? What did they based their research on – history, word of mouth, or fiction? Is the historian or storyteller, a roman republican, someone hurt by the imperial family, a secret Christian or someone who liked gossip?
Do we really know anyone, and why let gossip get in the way of good storytelling?
(What do you think? Comment. Let’s hear from you.)
Rob Cain has traveled extensively through Europe, Italy, and Egypt. He was formerly on active duty with the United States Army. He is a fan of history, and enjoys reading books on the history of Rome. He currently has a podcast presentation on itunes and hipcast. The blog is for the free and open discussion of Ancient Rome based on Mr. Cain's observations noted in his podcast. Most episodes start out with an original dramatic narration written by Mr. Cain. In the podcasts he will include his own unique commentary, and interviews with subject matter experts. Comments are welcome and will be highlighted on the show. 
Episode 10, “Nothing New Under the Sun. Get Over it”, features the book, “The Ancient Guide to Modern Life” written by author, comedian, and TV commentator Natalie Haynes.” Whether political, cultural, or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it's the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series, The Wire, or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago. It's time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. 
This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn't just a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humor, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all, not for an elite.
Comments from the Senate