The late republic of Rome is a tumultuous time in more ways than one and it opens up the possibility for elite women to be part of Rome’s political project in more overt ways than previously recorded in the ancient evidence. It is this milieu which is the launching point for Kaarina Parker’s debut novel Fulvia, which takes us into the world of the elite Roman women through the eyes of one of the biggest movers and shakers, Fulvia.
As the wife of several high profile Roman men during her life, Fulvia’s place in history is significant and by offering a fictionalized account of her world, Parker provides a gateway into the extremely interesting political machinations that were part of the last century of the Roman republic.
Fulvia’s marriage stand as a record of her influence… Parker’s novel navigates Fulvia’s arrival in Rome and her first marriage to Publius Clodius Pulcher. The next novel in the duology will explore Fulvia’s life as she goes on to have marriages with Gaius Scribonius Curio and Marcus Antonius.
Join us as we consider the historical sources that have inspired Parker’s novel as well as the important idea of maintaining separation between history and historical fiction.
Texts mentioned in this interview:
- Parker mentions Dr Jane Draycott’s book on Fulvia: Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome and we also have an interview with Draycott on Fulvia, which we recommend you check out too if the details of Fulvia’s life intrigue you.
- Dr G mentions Colleen McCullough’s Master of Rome series as a point of comparison with Fulvia.
Sound Credits
Our music is by the superb Bettina Joy de Guzman.
Automated Transcript
Lightly edited for our wonderful Australian accents
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