Despite the fact that women were barred from holding public office and participating in other freedoms enjoyed by men, some ancient Roman women wielded considerable power. In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d give tribute to some of the famous or should I say infamous mothers of ancient Rome.

Valeria Messalina was the third wife of Emperor Claudius. Although Claudius was the official leader of Rome, she had extensive influence over her husband. In order to secure her power, she convinced her husband to execute anyone who posed a threat to her power. According to ancient Roman sources, she ran a brothel and sold sexual favors to Roman nobles. However, what led to her downfall was when she married the Roman senator Gaius Silius. When Claudius heard of this marriage, he ordered her death.

Livia Drusilla was the first ancient Roman empress to be deified. She was the wife of Emperor Augustus. Amazingly enough, she juggled dual roles. In public, she acted as a proper Roman matron. In private, she orchestrated her son, Tiberius’s rise to power. Ancient sources say that she may even have been responsible for poisoning her husband, so that she could crown her son as emperor. What’s interesting about Livia, was that unlike Messalina, Livia was able to keep her life and stay in power.

After Messalina’s death Agrippina the Younger became Emperor Claudius’s fourth wife. Originally she was the mistress of one of Claudius’s advisors. When Messalina was executed, the advisor introduced Agrippina to Claudius. The problem was, she was his niece. The ancient Romans viewed uncle and niece relations as incestual. Despite this taboo, Claudius was captivated by Agrippina and married her. She also persuaded her husband to accept her son, Nero (from a previous marriage) to be the next in line to the throne.

A lot of ancient Roman history is focused on the lives of men. Honestly, sometimes I think the lives of women are much more scandalous and interesting. So who are your favorite ancient Roman mothers?