Essa pesquisa almeja explicitar a influência de Lívia e de Agripina Menor, muitas vezes absolutamente política, no período entre 38 a.C. a 59 d.C.; destacando neste processo o uso das mulheres na criação da domus Augusta e na propaganda de Augusto e de outros imperadores da dinastia Júlio-Claudiana. Para isto, serão analisados excertos das fontes primárias, especialmente Tácito e Suetônio, nos quais podemos identificar a relevância destas mulheres dentro da família imperial e na sociedade romana. / This research aims to make explicit the influence of Livia and Agrippina Minor, an influence very often absolutely political, in the period from 38 BC to 59 AD; emphasizing in this process the use of women in the creation of the domus Augusta and in the propaganda of Augustus and other emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. For this, excerpts from primary sources will be analyzed, particularly Tacitus and Suetonius, in which we identify the relevance of these women within the Imperial family and in Roman society.

Essa pesquisa almeja explicitar a influência de Lívia e de Agripina Menor, muitas vezes absolutamente política, no período entre 38 a.C. a 59 d.C.; destacando neste processo o uso das mulheres na criação da domus Augusta e na propaganda de Augusto e de outros imperadores da dinastia Júlio-Claudiana. Para isto, serão analisados excertos das fontes primárias, especialmente Tácito e Suetônio, nos quais podemos identificar a relevância destas mulheres dentro da família imperial e na sociedade romana. / This research aims to make explicit the influence of Livia and Agrippina Minor, an influence very often absolutely political, in the period from 38 BC to 59 AD; emphasizing in this process the use of women in the creation of the domus Augusta and in the propaganda of Augustus and other emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. For this, excerpts from primary sources will be analyzed, particularly Tacitus and Suetonius, in which we identify the relevance of these women within the Imperial family and in Roman society.

M.A. (Latin) / This study is focused on the different ways the character of the Emperor Nero is depicted by the biographer Suetonlus and the historiographer Tacitus. The study is Introduced with an historical survey of the life of Nero. Thereupon a discussion follows on the life experiences of the authors, Suetonius and Tacitus, as well as the different style and genre used by each, and suggestions on how their writings could have been influenced by these factors. Two aspects of Nero's life are discussed at length, namely his relationship with his mother (and issues relating to that). as well as his interest in and practising of the arts (focusing on Nero as a poet, singer and charioteer). The discussion of these topics is done in the following manner: firstiy Suetonius' account of the events are given, followed by the account by Tacitus. These versions are then compared and where different, the candidate suggests possible reasons for the difference of opinion or presentation between the authors. Various characteristics of the Emperor Nero are referred to. The main conclusions can be categorised into three sections: - First and foremost the authors had different life experiences. Suetonius held various secretarial positions at the court of Caesar Hadrian which SUbsequently influenced his writings. He Was not however a senator or interested In politics and military affairs, which explains the fact that he does not write about political upheavals and does not contribute political motivations for certain actions of characters under discussion. Tacitus on the contrary, was a senator during the reign of Domitian. The atrocities committed by the Emperor and the slowly diminishing power of the Senate influenced the mind and writings of Tacitus to a great extent.

Many accounts, both ancient and modern, have maintained that the Julio- Claudian women had unprecedented influence in their spheres. This dissertation attempts to determine the degree of autonomy and influence that the Julio-Claudian women had and to examine the factors that may have contributed to their exceptional influence. In trying to establish the extent and nature of the influence of the Julio- Claudian women, the ancient sources (literary, documentary and iconographic), in conjunction with modern scholarly views, were critically examined throughout. In attempting to determine the factors that influenced such weight and autonomy as these women had, the dissertation looks at the influences on women of earlier times, in particular the late Roman Republic, from a legal and a socio-historical angle. Whether the Julio-Claudian women could be considered, for example, to have been part of a “super-elite” in comparison with aristocratic women of earlier, and even later, times, was discussed and evaluated. On the surface the Julio-Claudian women did seem to enjoy a wider range of freedoms, power and influence than their counterparts, or the Roman women before or after them. Yet it is clear from the sources that these women also had restrictions laid upon them and that the patriarchal framework still curtailed their influence. When they over-stepped the accepted bounds, they were invariably vilified by the ancient historians, and often came to be negatively portrayed by subsequent generations. Whether these women truly deserved their vilification, or whether it can simply be ascribed to the bias of the ancient writers, was also explored throughout. / Classics & World Languages / M.A. (Classical Studies)

Many accounts, both ancient and modern, have maintained that the Julio- Claudian women had unprecedented influence in their spheres. This dissertation attempts to determine the degree of autonomy and influence that the Julio-Claudian women had and to examine the factors that may have contributed to their exceptional influence. In trying to establish the extent and nature of the influence of the Julio- Claudian women, the ancient sources (literary, documentary and iconographic), in conjunction with modern scholarly views, were critically examined throughout. In attempting to determine the factors that influenced such weight and autonomy as these women had, the dissertation looks at the influences on women of earlier times, in particular the late Roman Republic, from a legal and a socio-historical angle. Whether the Julio-Claudian women could be considered, for example, to have been part of a “super-elite” in comparison with aristocratic women of earlier, and even later, times, was discussed and evaluated. On the surface the Julio-Claudian women did seem to enjoy a wider range of freedoms, power and influence than their counterparts, or the Roman women before or after them. Yet it is clear from the sources that these women also had restrictions laid upon them and that the patriarchal framework still curtailed their influence. When they over-stepped the accepted bounds, they were invariably vilified by the ancient historians, and often came to be negatively portrayed by subsequent generations. Whether these women truly deserved their vilification, or whether it can simply be ascribed to the bias of the ancient writers, was also explored throughout. / Classics and World Languages / M.A. (Classical Studies)