A complex imagining of Nero's second wife

This week I chose “Augusta” by Dora Ilieva. It is a reimagining of the life of a girl who grows up to become Nero’s last wife.

Ms. Ilivea’s preface states that “history is written by the victors” and in the time of the Caesars, women were never the victors. So it felt right to see that world through the eyes of a girl/woman who had to navigate what was royal Rome.

The vast Roman Empire was ruled with the iron fist of the emperor. Some were cruel, some were perverted, and some were deranged. Plots and treachery abounded, and sudden deaths were common.

Poppea Sabina was born three weeks after her father was forced to commit suicide due to his to part in a plot to overthrow the maniacal Emperor Tiberius. Since her beautiful mother had a busy social life, Little Poppea was raised by a slave named Antonia.

Antonia did her best to teach the stubborn child the things a Roman lady should know. Poppea was 4 when her mother married the wealthy and powerful Publius Scipio. Like most society marriages it was for security, not love.

Scipio’s son Publius Cornelius is a few years older than Poppea and makes it clear that he doesn’t like her. That’s OK because she is uncomfortable around him.

The ever-scheming, Emperor Caligula sends Scipio to be governor of Asia, so Poppea doesn’t see him again until she’s 11 and eligible to be promised in marriage. A father’s word is law and not to be questioned, so she must accept the fact that she will marry the much older Rufrius Crispinus.

Still naïve and arrogant, Poppea refuses to have his baby until Antonia explains that a child will offer Poppea protection in a treacherous society. Poppea’s mother owns several successful factories not far from Neapolis. She deeds them to Poppea, then commits suicide to avoid arrest.

While inspecting the companies, she meets several people who follow a new god called Christos. A man named Paul tries to explain how his god teaches that all people are equal. She finds it intriguing, but it’s not for her.

Then Crispinus is sent to Rome, leaving Poppea and their son in Neapolis. She is unnerved when her stepbrother and his friend Marcus all but order her to attend a party. There she meets the young, lecherous Emperor Nero. She knows that Nero’s murderous mother, Agrippina, rules in his stead, and that Nero prefers poetry and music to politics. Poppea is humiliated to end up drunk and in bed with Marcus.

Marcus claims to love her, and soon she receives notice that Crispinus has divorced her. Leaving her child with Antonia, Poppea moves into Marcus’ villa in Rome. He explains that he wants to marry her, but Emperor Nero has forbidden it.

The palace is abuzz about Nero’s mother Agripinna and his shunned wife, Octavia. To her horror, Marcus is sent to a far-off post and Nero arrives to become her lover. Poppea knows how unstable he is and must use her beauty and wits to keep him from rash decisions.

This story depicts a man who wants to do right by the people but can’t convince the senate to get behind his ideas unless he uses force. Nero is often upset and turns to her for sound advice. He often complains that the tenements are too close together and poorly built, but the senate refuses to cooperate.

Fate steps in and the now-famous fire nearly destroys Rome. Nero is blaming the followers of Christos for the fire. Poppea tries to save them, but she’s no match for Nero’s rage.

Poppea Sabina once ruled Rome but is little more than a footnote in history today.

Wealth and power are seductive, but they often come at too high a cost. It’s much safer to use your public library to find books about that kind of life. Drop by soon so you can check it out.