Mémoires d'Agrippine

by Pierre Grimal

Arrière-petite-fille d'Auguste, sœur de Caligula, nièce puis épouse de Claude, mère de Néron, Agrippine est assurément une des figures les plus emblématiques et les plus mal connues des coulisses du pouvoir dans la Rome impériale.
Historien de renom, biographe de Marc Aurèle et de Tacite, Pierre Grimal est ici romancier pour nous faire revivre, de façon extraordinairement intime et vivante, l'itinéraire d'une femme sûre de son essence divine, et qui toute sa vie va lutter pour assurer le pouvoir suprême à un fils dont les astres lui ont prédit qu'il la tuerait. Combat passionné, parfois pathétique et parfois féroce, où elle emploie toutes ses armes...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

368 pages, Pocket Book

First published June 2, 1992

About the author

Admitted to the École Normale Supérieure in 1933, and receiving a third in the "Agrégation des lettres" in 1935, he was member of the French School at Rome (1935-1937) then taught Latin at a Rennes lycée. Then he was active as a professor of Roman civilization at the faculties of Caen and Bordeaux, and finally at the Sorbonne for thirty years.
He published studies on the Roman civilization, of which many volumes to the "Que sais-je?" series, and translations of Latin classical authors (Cicero, Seneca the Younger, Tacitus, Plautus, Terence). On his retirement, he also published biographies and fictionalized histories (Mémoires d’Agrippine, le procès Néron), more intended for the general public.
At the end of his life, he campaigned for the safeguarding of literary teaching.

Source

Reviews

[Fonch · Rating 4 out of 5]

dedicated with affection to the writer Cynthia T. Toney.
Ladies and gentlemen, the first thing is to thank the users of Goodreads for the excellent reception that the rating of this book has had. I hope that this criticism has lived up to the demands of Goodreads users. I wanted to thank writer Cynthia T. Toney https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for liking my reviews, and my readings. Although I consider their praise to be unconscionable, and I am enormously unworthy of it. Before reviewing this novel I inform you that this review will be in four languages English, Spanish, French (original language of the author), and Polish. If anyone wants it translated into any more language, ask me.
After several weeks (I apologize to the users of Goodreads, who in their magnanimity I hope to obtain their forgiveness) I resume writing the reviews of overdue books. I remember that this one was written on Instagram well into the early morning, and with a lack of sleep similar to the time I write it for Goodreads (I apologize for only writing my reviews on Instagram in Spanish. The idea is that Instagram is a transfer that helps me to write better reviews on Goodreads, and free of spelling errors) I have taken the opportunity to write one of my delayed reviews. I have chosen this one for several reasons. In the first place, because it seems to me the simplest if we compare it with "Born in the Purple" by Laszlo Passuth (the difficulty lies in the monumental subject of this book, and the criticism would be very complicated) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , or "La Nueva Ciencia" by Giambattista Vico https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (in this case the difficulty lies in how difficult it has been for me to read this book, and how difficult it would be to present it to Goodreads users in an understandable way, and enjoyable although it will be tried) both are going to be very complicated especially Vico's book. This was the second reading of my Easter holidays only three books were read, but go three books the third will be "Death of a stranger" by Anne Perry (whose review will be enjoyed very soon by Goodreads users) (none fell below four stars).
This novel is very interesting because it allows us to see the Julio-Claudian Dynasty from another point of view. Suetonius and Tacitus analyzed it a generation after the events (see my critiques of "The Annals" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..., and "Life of the 12 Caesars" https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). From the Christian point of view we have several novels some really fabulous like "Quo Vadis" by Henryk Sienkiewicz https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... without a doubt but the best at least my favorite), "The King's Messengers / The Glorious Folly" by Louis de Wohl https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... @palabraes, "SPQR" or "The Roman" by Mika Waltari https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... A little below we have " A.D. Anno Domini" by Kirk Mitchell https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (my friend the seriophile cat Maria Elena Venant wrote a beautiful article related to mythical series of Holy Week, and the Holocaust specifically spoke of "Jesus of Nazareth" by Franco Zefirelli, A.D. Anno Domini, Barrabas based on the novel by Pars Lagerkvist https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... @edicionesencuentro and Masada novel that will soon be discussed here) (by the way Anno Domini is the solemn version of "The Kingdom of the Reprobates" by Anthony Burgess https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... @edhasa_libros_con_historia), and with a lower step we have "The Sacred Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..., "Ben Hur" by Lew Wallace https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... and "The Chalice of silver" by Thomas Costain https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in this case the films are much better than the novels that inspire them. In pagan key we have "Mario the Epicurean" by Walter Pater https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... and in anti-Christian key I prefer not to recommend any title since you can find plenty in the current secular literature. But seen from the point of view of characters of this period we have the trilogy of Mark Antony of Brook Allen https://www.goodreads.com/series/2861... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., the novels of Allan Massie (of Mark Antony, Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/8769... ). We have the play Caligula by French existentialist author Albert Camus https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Margaret George's novel Nero https://www.goodreads.com/series/1970... . In Louis de Wohl's novel "TheRenegade" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... @palabraes Emperor Julian the Apostate was eulogizing for Nero. Even Mika Waltari, although "The Roman" is very clearly favorable to Christians, does not hesitate to praise Nero, and to say, quoting Aurelius Victor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that the best years of the empire were the first years of Nero surpassing those of the reign of Trajan. When one is a historian as a servant he likes that there is not a single point of view but as in Fabbri's work of "Process to Jesus" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... everyone has the right to tell us the facts from their point of view (however unfriendly, or repulsive it may seem to us they have to be heard from all sides) as does "The moonstone" " by Wilkie Collins https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... , or "Rhosomon/The Forest" by Ryunusuke Akutagawa/Akira Kurosawa https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (After all, a historian is still a judge, and having to judge facts before signing a thesis, or forming an opinion. What should be avoided as Hilaire Belloc said https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... is to judge history from the present, but at a time when the facts have not occurred, and anything can happen). I have not said it but the great novel that has inspired the novel of Agrippina is the duology of I Claudius by Robert Graves https://www.goodreads.com/series/5744... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (the other is called "Claudius the God, and his wife Messalina") that was fortunate to be a magnificent novel, and to have a wonderful television adaptation.

Here Pierre Grimal offers us the opportunity to see the facts from the point of view of the ambitious Agrippina (Nero's mother). He tells us about his idyllic youth with Germanicus and Agrippina Maior. The great ascendant that the young Caligula has over her (you have a problem when Caligula is one of your references, and mentors). The myths that Pierre Grimal sneaks us through this novel (that of Phaethon, who will steal Apollo's chariot, having a disastrous end with what will later be compared to Nero by the coincidence of burning everything. With Vico you will see more of this). He does not hesitate to show us a really controversial approach to the subject of the Incest Taboo. Agrippina's view of this matter will be decisive in justifying her actions. A visit to Egypt with his parents will be key, and also as he tells them the Egyptian myths Queremon. It is seen how rivalry influences and will be decisive for Agrippina to seek power, even if it is as a mere act of survival (very much in the line of Vico, and William Golding https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... fear as a catalyst for cruelty, and violence as an instinct of conservation). Germanicus may have been harassed and put to his death by Pison, who suffered a just punishment, but not his wife Plancina who is one of Livia's protégés. Here Tiberius does not come out too badly it is stressed that he never wanted to be emperor, nor divorce his first wife Vipsania. . The author shows us a less recriminating image than that of Suetonius, and Tacitus. We see a lonely, bitter man who distrusts everyone. This is to be repeated in most emperors especially in Tiberius, and Claudius for Pierre Grimal cruelty, and the ruthless ways of both emperors are due to the goldingesque element of fear, and a desire to survive. Therefore, for Grimal, both Sejanus and Messalina will have more responsibility for the crimes that occurred in the time of Tiberius (the deaths of Drusus, Nero, and Agrippina, although some were committed already dead Sejanus. Not to mention that you could criticize the way to end it), and also the just punishments of Livia, and Sejanus (although Tiberius will spend three towns in the elimination of this character, and his kin. Above all, the death of Sejanus' poor daughter seems arbitrary.) Agrippina, although she thinks of becoming vestal because of her carnal desires, will soon discard that option, and choose to marry. With Domitius Anhenobarbus who is a psychopath who runs over a child, and has very violent fits of anger. She then marries Pasieno because he is very rich. Here begins the author who feels empathy for his protagonist to justify the impossible. According to him, in order not to be a hindrance to his wife's career, he chooses to divorce, and let himself die peacefully (commit suicide by refusing to eat food) giving the fortune to her, and to Nero. I find it very difficult to believe this story. I do not believe the subterfuge of Grimal to justify it (it could be one of the failures of the novel). The author casts a reasonable doubt if it had not been for dementia and Caligula's disease, would he have been a good emperor? It seems that before the madness According to Grimal he was already evil, but intelligent, and very attractive. So much so that all the sisters feel a great passion for him especially Drusilla. His misdeeds are described as marrying Pison's wife, Lolia Paulina (this is very important), and Caesonia, his mania for celebrating games in inclement heat, and being late, preventing people from going out. The circus of Britain. After Caligula thinks that Livila, and Agrippina want to poison him, he quickly passes to the reign of Claudius (it is already known that Caligula was killed by Cassius Chaeroneus and a group of military cronies). That according to Agrippina he is a loving uncle, well, a scholar, his merit is recognized as conqueror of Britannia something that Caesar could not do completely, inventor of letters of the alphabet, and the only man he has truly loved. It speaks of his erudition, of his fascination with the Etruscans (he tells Agrippina the story of Tanakil as concealed the death of Tarquinius Priscus so that he can accede to the throne Servius Tullius) tells us of his unhappy marriage with Urgulania (who mistreated him), how he had Livia against him, and how this prevented him from reaching any position of privilege. Only Augustus was somewhat benevolent towards him, but everything that came to him from Claudius was biased. His limp, stuttering. Apart from not being a desired son Antonia did not want him when he wanted to mess with someone he said you are dumber than my son Claudio. Antonia will take in Germanicus' children, and will earn Caligula's wrath when she sees him do with Drusilla what Cersei so happily did, and Jaimie Lannister https://www.goodreads.com/series/4379... (on the subject of incest I already showed my position in "The Praise of the Stepmother" by Mario Vargas Llosa https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). In fact, the Julius Claudian era, the time of the Merovingian kings https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (especially the civil war between Brunequilda and Fradegunda), the tenth century of iron better known as pornocracy, and the Renaissance are perhaps the most immoral, and least scrupulous times in history. But going back to Claudius it is cruel how Caligula laughs because a son of Claudius drowns eating a pear, and the mischief he does to him. Claudius tended to have memory lapses, and fall asleep. It is assumed that Agrippina's interest in obtaining power is to survive, and to rid poor uncle Claudius of that bad female of Messalina, who produced the fall of Silanus, the Asiatic, and Poppaea the elder (because she was in love with Mnester), also the death of Livila, and of Vinicio. She practiced prostitution under the name of Lycida in Wikipedia you can read how she competed with the Sicilian prostitute named Scylla and won it by sleeping with 70 men. Polybius, one of Claudius' freedmen, tried to warn him, but Claudius preferred to believe his wife, and killed him. However, he still had to face Narcissus (but you have read "Britannic" by Racine https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... I recommend it. In it Narcissus plays pimp for Nero), and Pallas the protector, and possibly lover of Agrippina. But it is Narcissus who ends with her, and then begins a competition among the freedmen to see who manages to place his protégé Narcissus will propose Caligula's ex Lolia Paulina, Calixto to Elia (the second ex-wife of Claudius, which is not a very promising candidacy the truth ), and Pallas will bet on his protégé Agrippina. Here they will have the help of the ball (creeping flatterer as the movie "Silver Chalice" said) of Vitellius (future companion of misdeeds of Nero whose biography could be read in 12 Caesars, and his adventures are also discovered in Quo Vadis). One can understand Agrippina's motivations for killing Claudius. Narcissus conspired, Claudius due to fear was becoming drunker, more cruel, and was waiting for Britannicus (his son with Messalina) to grow up to divorce Agrippina and for Nero not to come to the throne. According to the novel Agrippina would like to hold power alone, but unlike the Christian Byzantium, which does admit empresses (from Pulqueria, Irene, Theodora, and Zoe) pagan Rome does not. So as Tanakil he must exercise power through someone. According to Bábilus, disciple of Trasilus Nero will come to reign, but like Alcmaeon will kill his mother. Her stance is "it doesn't matter as long as she reigns." Perhaps the weak point of this novel (besides that it is a minor classic, and will never surpass I Claudius). It is to justify the unjustifiable. Claudio is the love of my life, but I am forced to kill him. I can understand that a woman plans to murder her love, because she has become, a monster (Marcia does it with Commodus) but then how she allows Nero to mock Claudius "Divine delicacy of a poor imbecile they made a God", and then Seneca's hypocrite writes "The Apokolokintosis" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... slandering your beloved uncle, And you do nothing, and not only that, but participate in the mockery. . It is much more likely that Agrippina used Claudius to come to power, and once she got it she got rid of him. The unjustifiable cannot be justified no matter how well the protagonist of the book falls (true, it seems that Claudius planned to get rid of his wife, and disinherit Nero, and each time he ate, drank more, and became more cruel, but...). The ending is not bad at all Agrippina gets her son where he planned, but loses him along the way (perhaps because she was so obsessed with achieving power, that she did not give her son the affection, the love he deserved. Nor does the congenital evil of his kinship on the part of father, and mother), Seneca betrays her, and Nero begins to be a slave of his vices, clashing with his mother in two issues the execution of Narcissus (who in the time of Claudius was involved in a fraud in some works), and Lepida (his grandmother) whom Nero did not want to execute (it should be remembered that Agrippina does the same as the hated Messalina, and begins to get rid of those who do not suit her). He does not like how he treats freedmen especially Pallas, and that he does not attend classes, nor Nero's love affairs with Actea, and Poppaea (although in the end he will ally himself with the former, because he knows that Poppaea is worse. The origins of Burro are very interesting. Regarding Seneca, despite being Cordoban his duplicity, hypocrisy, as his conspiratorial mood generate a very deep rejection for me, being the most repulsive character of this book). She knows that she is losing him and will play a trick that will be lethal for her (it is a totally suicidal resource, and desperate, and will end an innocent life. Regarding Germanicus, and Britannicus, his death allows us to idealize them. We will never know what they would have been like as emperors. Especially with Germanicus the omens seem good, but surely they would have committed their own evils. Their death allows us to see them as victims, and objects of our sympathy for what they may have been.) Very interesting is Agrippina's only encounter with Christianity through Pomponia Grecina. The truth is that despite being a minor work, and justifying the unjustifiable (incest Agrippina can practice it, but she will not hesitate to condemn her enemies for doing the same. The last resort to win back his son is very dramatic. I say no more but Tacitus, Suetonius, Mika Waltari, and the movie Boudica the Queen of War mention it, and the

[Olethros · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Interesante ficción sobre la figura histórica.-

Género. Novela Histórica.

Lo que nos cuenta. Repaso al periodo de la Antigua Roma que va desde la jefatura de Tiberio hasta la de Nerón a través de las supuestas memorias de la madre de éste, Agripina, que fue testigo y protagonista de muchos eventos importantes de la época.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[charlie medusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

beaucoup trop captivant
game of thrones meets catherine de médicis meets suétone meets gladiator meets marie stuart meets succession
(en gros)

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro realmente lo comencé a raíz de una investigación sobre este personaje, Agripina, para un trabajo sobre vestuario, y la verdad es que me sorprendió gratamente.
Al principio me pareció una lectura un poco lenta, pero poco a poco te va atrapando la forma de ver la vida que tiene Agripina y cómo va consiguiendo lo que se propone. Gracias a esta novela de ficción con toques históricos he podido aprender más sobre este personaje y la vida de los romanos, sus costumbres, sus ropajes descritos en el libro, cómo veían otras culturas, etc.. Además, todos hemos oido hablar de Claudio o Nerón, pero nunca de las mujeres que estuvieron detrás urdiendo los planes más enrevesados que se pueden imaginar.
Un libro para recomendar.

[Catalina Acevedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una buena novela histórica de la antigua Roma, centrada en relatar la gran ambición por el poder de Agripina, de quien leemos su diario. Lo interesante es que el libro no se centra en contar hechos históricos, por el contrario, nos narra la historia de una familia con una ascendencia prometedora, logrando introducir al lector en la cotidianidad de los cercanos al poder en la época.
Me impresionó y causó incomodidad la cantidad de incesto en el libro.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bajo el formato de un diario de memorias, el autor describe gran parte de los acontecimientos atribuidos a la primera dinastía del principado romano, los julio-claudios. Lo hace en una obra muy bien documentada en el que puede apreciarse la gran influencia que las mujeres tuvieron en la política sucesoria del Imperio.

[Kika23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha sido un regalo leer estas "Memorias" que relatan con destreza la vida de la madre de Nerón y, de paso, los años más terribles del Imperio Romano bajo la tiranía de los Claudios. Construida con la ayuda de los textos dejados por los biógrafos de la época, esta novela acierta no sólo en la reconstrucción histórica sino también en la elaboración de la psique perturbada de la protagonista.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

E se as memórias de Agripina, imperatriz romana e mãe do imperador romano Nero, tivessem sobrevivido? Essa pergunta é respondida pelo historiador Pierre Grimal através desta auto-biografia ficcionada, mas muito verosímil, porque respeita o que se conhece desse período histórico. É uma leitura muito estimulante e agradável. Merecia uma reedição.

[Yenkl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une excellente reconstitution de ce qu'ont pu être les mémoires d'Agrippine, les originaux ayant été perdus.Objectivité, érudition, analyse psychologique du personnage sont à l'honneur.On voit là bien la pensée romaine!

[Carmen Matellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una obra sencilla, a modo de autobiografía de una figura histórica pero claramente "ficcionada", para conocer mejor y entender el ansia de poder de Agripina. Historia fácil, bien narrada y estructurada, que mantiene interesado al lector.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5⭐

[Pepe Laserna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se demuestra una vez más la importancia de las mujeres en el gobierno de Roma. Libro ameno e interesante.

[Floriane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Je suis partagée, j'aime le fait que l'auteur donne une voix à Agrippine et que son "personnage" ne soit ni blanc ni noir, mais l'impression qu'il m'en reste demeure celle d'une femme décrite et écrite par un homme. Je recommanderai le livre d'Emma Southon (non-fiction) à ceux désirant en apprendre plus sur cette femme incroyable.

[ALBERTO MARQUEZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grata sorpresa. Un libro muy bien escrito y muy entretenido. Se sigue muy bien la historia de la familia Claudio-Julia. Personajes muy atractivos. Cuenta la suerte de los personajes de la dinastia desde el punto de vista de una de sus protagonistas.
El unico pero es que parece una Versión femenina de Yo, Claudio.

[Aline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ancient Rome is a period in history I always felt attracted to, so I enjoyed this book from the very beginning!
Pierre Grimal's beautiful writing takes the reader to a beautiful journey: we wander through the streets of Rome with little Agrippine and we can hear, at the same time as her, the wind gently blowing in the pine trees; and feel, the sun slowly warming our skin.
But everything is not as idyllic, and we also share the intrigues that Agrippine witnessed or caused. Murders (often commited by using poison of by depriving someone of food) and incests are also part of the story. All those details are far from being creepy: they allow the reader to understand how the ancient Romans were living.
Agrippine confess herself to be extremely ambitious. She's also really conscious of her divine origins: she's a descendant of August and Mark Anthony, and both have been made into gods. She thus becomes totally sure that the Gods of Ancient Rome want her family to rule the city. Tiberius trying to get rid of her entire family, Agrippine will do everything she can to get back to power, through her son, Nero.

[Faedyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierre Grimal nunca defrauda. Es un libro pleno de detalles históricos y hace que revises tus criterios sobre la historia de Roma. El porqué un asesinato nunca estuvo más justificado que otro... y una moral distinta, ateniendose a una cultura antigua que es la base de la nuestra.

Agrippina nunca me cayó tan bien como ahora, tan humana y con tantas necesidades en la vida, una mujer luchadora a la que el destino le jugó una mala pasada, tal vez los hados así lo dispusieron?? que tanto es el dominio del hombre frente a su propia vida?

Un libro muy lindo, que te acerca la historia desde otra perspectiva, muy cuidado en cuanto a cómo te presenta el día a día romano de sus personajes. Me encantó.

[Rozonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best historical novels ever written. Agrippina, intelligent and ambitious, is also cruel and pitiless, carrying in herself a bit of the madness that showed so clearly in her brother Caligula and her son Nero. Before being executed by her son, she reminisces on her life and her strong personality and her failed dream shine through every page of the book. A masterpiece by Grimal.

[Ayelén Glasswen · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Buenísimo! Me atrapó muchísimo y terminé leyendo algunas partes varias veces. Algunas son muy interesantes, otras demasiado crudas. La vida en esas épocas en Roma era muy peligrosa para los intrigantes, la visión que tenían los romanos sobre ciertas cosas está muy clara y bien a conciencia. Grimal es una autoridad, en la facultad me dieron para leer varios textos de él, es un historiador reconocido y esta novela suya le hace justicia a su reputación. Es justo lo que quería. Quedé re feliz :)

[Joana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
começou um pouco lento, o que fazia com que custasse um pouco a ler. mas à medida que avancei as acções foram tendo lugar e tornou-se uma leitura mais fácil e agradável.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agrippina, madre di Nerone, racconta gli eventi più importanti della sua vita poiché sa che la sua fine, per mano dell’adorato figlio, è vicina.
Un favoloso diario che ci trasporta nell'atmosfera dell'antica Roma, piena di intrighi, tradimenti e omicidi.
Agrippina è una donna assetata di potere, pronta a tutto pur di ottenere un regno che non potrà mai comandare.
Decide così di manovrare il destino per far sì che il proprio figlio diventi imperatore, ma niente va secondo i suoi piani.
Una donna senza scrupoli che, romanzata, sembra quasi da ammirare, nonostante tutti i suoi sbagli.
I numerosi intrighi amorosi rendono alcune parti del libro un po' ridicole, ma le manovre politiche di Agrippina fanno restare il lettore a bocca aperta.
Una donna molto moderna, forte e determinata, che impara troppo tardi cosa vuol dire compiere troppo male.
Un libro sottovalutato, ma che merita davvero.