The Other Half: The History of Women Through the Ages

Agrippina Minor was born into the most richest, most august family's in Rome. And her childhood totally sucked.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Saturday 19 May, Meghan Markle will become a member of the royal family of the UK and 15 other countries. It will be a great occasion, but how does it rank against royal weddings of the past? Is she the first bi-racial woman to marry a prince? Is she the first divorcee? Does she wanna be like Grace Kelly? All will be revealed. The introductory footage from the weddings of: Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne and Mark Philips, Prince George and Diana Spencer, and Prince William and Kate Middleton.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Messalina, along with her husband and friends in the Imperial administration led a period of repression to suppress the threat of revolts. Oh also she slept with everyone. But also the politics. Shockingly, this policy was destined to bite her in the behind. I Modi (WARNING EXPLICIT CONTENT)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Messalina became Empress of Rome after the assassination of Caligula and his family, and quickly secured her position by giving birth to a son. But she had rivals that needed to be moved on.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Somewhere deep in the recesses of the world there is a list of the world's crappiest husbands. Caligula is on that list, and four women: Junia Claudilla, Livia Orestilla, Lollia Paulina and Milonia Caesonia were about to find that out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The reign of Tiberius is most frequently described as being one of cruelty, depravity and neglect, but in actual fact, there was one elderly woman who was helping to keep it all together. Livia had quite a lot on her hands in her final years of life.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Augustus final years, Livia took steps to make sure her son Tiberius took the throne.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Augustus's reign was overshadowed by his inability to secure the succession and problems within his own family. Heir after heir fell by the wayside. But was there a snake in the grass? Audio credit: "What Shall We Do About Claudius" I, Claudius, BBC, 1976  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Livia was the first Empress of Rome, and few others would exert so much influence. Livia's full advice to Augustus. It is chapters 16-21  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By marrying Octavian, Livia had married a hugely powerful man - but he was not yet the Emperor. To win control of the Empire, he needed to vilify Antony and Cleopatra - and he used his wife and sister to do it. SHOWNOTES Livia Drusilla Statue Empress Livia of Rome - Tutorial | Beauty Beacons  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Born into one of Rome's most noble families, Livia was married to a man below her station and who made terrible decisions - but she would soon catch the eye of the most powerful man in Rome.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Roman Republic had managed to squash all its enemies - but then it turn in on itself. How did it happen? And who were the women in the centre of the action EXPLICIT - Augustus's poem about Fulvia  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ancient Rome was a highly patriarchal place - but did it mean to be a woman in that society? How were they viewed at the time? And what happened when they tried to become powerful?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing my new show!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.