Douglas Boin
@dougboin.bsky.social
Historian and author, most recently, of CLODIA OF ROME (Norton). Learn more at douglasboin.com / religiousdirt.com
Pinned
Douglas Boin
@dougboin.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Five years ago, the idea came to me that one fearless woman from long ago who risked her own name to preserve the rule of law against corruption and self-interest might inspire others to follow her example. Happy publication day, CLODIA OF ROME.
Great to talk about the Roman Republic with John Batchelor; even better, you can watch our convo on YouTube:
youtu.be/FadleX6nCgo
youtu.be/FadleX6nCgo
The Most Powerful Woman of Ancient Rome (with Douglas Boin) | John Batchelor
YouTube video by CBS Eye on the World
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Great to talk about the Roman Republic with John Batchelor; even better, you can watch our convo on YouTube:
youtu.be/FadleX6nCgo
youtu.be/FadleX6nCgo
Thank you to @patrickwyman.bsky.social for this invitation to talk about patriarchy and the Roman republic. If you missed it:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Forgotten Power-Broker of the Roman Republic: Interview with Professor Douglas Boin
Podcast Episode · Tides of History · 08/07/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Thank you to @patrickwyman.bsky.social for this invitation to talk about patriarchy and the Roman republic. If you missed it:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
"Trailblazing women like Clodia have always, in the historian’s shorthand, been called 'ahead of their time.' But history deserves to be told from another point of view."
My essay @time.com
time.com/7326211/roma...
My essay @time.com
time.com/7326211/roma...
The Roman Republic Crumbled When Patriarchy Prevailed
Women secured critical progress in the Roman republic. Their rights were rolled back with the republic's collapse.
time.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
"Trailblazing women like Clodia have always, in the historian’s shorthand, been called 'ahead of their time.' But history deserves to be told from another point of view."
My essay @time.com
time.com/7326211/roma...
My essay @time.com
time.com/7326211/roma...
Feeling so proud of my Italian skills because I just realized that "anzi" is like the English "er" as a form of self-correction.
November 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Feeling so proud of my Italian skills because I just realized that "anzi" is like the English "er" as a form of self-correction.
"The Founders imagined a republic of readers."— @fotoole.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
What the Founders Would Say Now
They might be surprised that the republic exists at all.
www.theatlantic.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"The Founders imagined a republic of readers."— @fotoole.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Thank you to everyone who has supported this book and Clodia's story so far. More to share with you this week!
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Thank you to everyone who has supported this book and Clodia's story so far. More to share with you this week!
An absolutely disgraceful move for this Dc museum, which I have always loved and supported. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Phillips Collection will sell several masterpieces, sparking backlash
The Phillips Collection will sell at auction artworks by Georgia O’Keeffe, Georges Seurat and Arthur Dove, drawing a debate over deaccessioning.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
An absolutely disgraceful move for this Dc museum, which I have always loved and supported. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Never thought an overlooked woman's life from 2,000 years ago would cut through to today, but her struggles and her example deserve to be more widely known. I'm thrilled that more people will find CLODIA's story
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Never thought an overlooked woman's life from 2,000 years ago would cut through to today, but her struggles and her example deserve to be more widely known. I'm thrilled that more people will find CLODIA's story
CLODIA OF ROME has been named an Amazon Best Book of the Year for 2025. I'm floored right now.
www.amazon.com/amazonbookre...
www.amazon.com/amazonbookre...
Announcing the Best Books of 2025, as chosen by the Amazon Editors
Patrick Ryan's 'Buckeye,' Virginia Evans' 'The Correspondent,' Nina Willner's 'The Boys in the Light,' and much more.
www.amazon.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:01 AM
CLODIA OF ROME has been named an Amazon Best Book of the Year for 2025. I'm floored right now.
www.amazon.com/amazonbookre...
www.amazon.com/amazonbookre...
Thanks, U News! unewsonline.com/2025/11/slu-...
SLU history professor reimagines ancient Rome
Ten minutes before the beginning of class, Professor Douglas Boin walks into the classroom and sets down his briefcase. Rather than beginning to set up for his lecture, Boin turns to two students disc...
unewsonline.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Thanks, U News! unewsonline.com/2025/11/slu-...
If you're looking to attend a history-related talk in early December, consider registering for this one through the Smithsonian Associates programming and join us for the evening's lecture and discussion. smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/pr...
Clodia of Rome: Champion of the Republic
Described by Cicero more than 2, 000 years ago as a promiscuous, husband-murdering harlot, Clodia of Rome led a powerful, complex life. Classicist Douglas Boin argues that Cicero lied about her to pro...
smithsonianassociates.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:49 AM
If you're looking to attend a history-related talk in early December, consider registering for this one through the Smithsonian Associates programming and join us for the evening's lecture and discussion. smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/pr...
Walked into lunch today in the Central West End in St Louis--and someone (whom I didn't know) was gifting CLODIA to their lunch mate. Made me smile and stand up a little taller. So fun to see!
October 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Walked into lunch today in the Central West End in St Louis--and someone (whom I didn't know) was gifting CLODIA to their lunch mate. Made me smile and stand up a little taller. So fun to see!
Very saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis Trout, insightful scholar, wonderful writer, and generous mentor who helped me find my way in our discipline. My condolences to his family and colleagues. His kindness left its mark on our field.
classics.wustl.edu/news/memory-...
classics.wustl.edu/news/memory-...
In Memory of Dennis Trout (1953–2025)
classics.wustl.edu
October 15, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Very saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis Trout, insightful scholar, wonderful writer, and generous mentor who helped me find my way in our discipline. My condolences to his family and colleagues. His kindness left its mark on our field.
classics.wustl.edu/news/memory-...
classics.wustl.edu/news/memory-...
Reposted by Douglas Boin
Just asked my library to purchase One of the Boys by @dirtbagqueer.rocks , Changeover by @girinathan.bsky.social , and Clodia of Rome by @dougboin.bsky.social . Mostly because I want to read them, but maybe someone else will too. Support your local library!
September 26, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Just asked my library to purchase One of the Boys by @dirtbagqueer.rocks , Changeover by @girinathan.bsky.social , and Clodia of Rome by @dougboin.bsky.social . Mostly because I want to read them, but maybe someone else will too. Support your local library!
Happy to join CBS Eye on the World's @johnbatchelor.bsky.social to talk about the events that led to the end of the Roman Republic, from an unusual point of view. Our conversation is available to watch:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fadl...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fadl...
The Most Powerful Woman of Ancient Rome (with Douglas Boin) | John Batchelor
YouTube video by CBS Eye on the World
m.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Happy to join CBS Eye on the World's @johnbatchelor.bsky.social to talk about the events that led to the end of the Roman Republic, from an unusual point of view. Our conversation is available to watch:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fadl...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fadl...
Reposted by Douglas Boin
Steve Donoghue reviews a new biography of the Roman Republic’s infamous Clodia, Clodia of Rome by Douglas Boin, out from @wwnorton.com:
openlettersreview.com/posts/clodia...
openlettersreview.com/posts/clodia...
Clodia of Rome by Douglas Boin — Open Letters Review
A game new biography of the Roman Republic’s infamous Clodia
openlettersreview.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Steve Donoghue reviews a new biography of the Roman Republic’s infamous Clodia, Clodia of Rome by Douglas Boin, out from @wwnorton.com:
openlettersreview.com/posts/clodia...
openlettersreview.com/posts/clodia...
Thank you @publisherswkly.bsky.social ! -->
"Incisive... [Clodia] is resurrected here with elegant literary flair by Boin. It’s an astute feminist reframing of an ancient scandal."
"Incisive... [Clodia] is resurrected here with elegant literary flair by Boin. It’s an astute feminist reframing of an ancient scandal."
September 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Thank you @publisherswkly.bsky.social ! -->
"Incisive... [Clodia] is resurrected here with elegant literary flair by Boin. It’s an astute feminist reframing of an ancient scandal."
"Incisive... [Clodia] is resurrected here with elegant literary flair by Boin. It’s an astute feminist reframing of an ancient scandal."
Locking politicians up / keeping them under watch is straight-up Fall of the Roman Republic-level, er, stuff.
August 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Locking politicians up / keeping them under watch is straight-up Fall of the Roman Republic-level, er, stuff.
As difficult as her life was to document, it was her courage in the face of extreme hostility--to give more citizens a voice, not just the same old few--that kept me going. Glad Clodia's story is out there now.
Gerrymandering, oligarchy, or patriarchy: which one would you like to hear about first? #ClodiaOfRome #SummerReads
August 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
As difficult as her life was to document, it was her courage in the face of extreme hostility--to give more citizens a voice, not just the same old few--that kept me going. Glad Clodia's story is out there now.
For the past five years, I studied the ins-and-outs of voter suppression and manipulating of voting districts in Rome's Republic--and guess what, here we are:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Forgotten Power-Broker of the Roman Republic: Interview with Professor Douglas Boin
Podcast Episode · Tides of History · 08/07/2025 · 40m
podcasts.apple.com
August 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
For the past five years, I studied the ins-and-outs of voter suppression and manipulating of voting districts in Rome's Republic--and guess what, here we are:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Thank you, Honor Cargill-Martin, for these generous words!
"Boin brings to sparkling, tensely-charged life a rare moment in Roman history-- one in which it seemed that all the entrenched interests and old assumptions might truly be up for grabs."
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
"Boin brings to sparkling, tensely-charged life a rare moment in Roman history-- one in which it seemed that all the entrenched interests and old assumptions might truly be up for grabs."
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
Clodia of Rome
A thrilling new history of the late Roman Republic, told through one woman’s quest for justice., Clodia of Rome, Champion of the Republic, Douglas Boin, 9781324035671
wwnorton.com
August 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Thank you, Honor Cargill-Martin, for these generous words!
"Boin brings to sparkling, tensely-charged life a rare moment in Roman history-- one in which it seemed that all the entrenched interests and old assumptions might truly be up for grabs."
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
"Boin brings to sparkling, tensely-charged life a rare moment in Roman history-- one in which it seemed that all the entrenched interests and old assumptions might truly be up for grabs."
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
"Every semester I have taught [Cicero's] texts, it bothers me to think how often pundits, politicians, and other public figures still bring Cicero’s more despicable rhetorical techniques to our own public square."
Learn more about Clodia's story --> deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/q-wi...
Learn more about Clodia's story --> deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/q-wi...
August 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
"Every semester I have taught [Cicero's] texts, it bothers me to think how often pundits, politicians, and other public figures still bring Cicero’s more despicable rhetorical techniques to our own public square."
Learn more about Clodia's story --> deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/q-wi...
Learn more about Clodia's story --> deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2025/08/q-wi...
Reposted by Douglas Boin
Take a look at this week's new releases! Your next nonfiction read is out now wherever books are sold.
wwnorton.com/reader
wwnorton.com/reader
August 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Take a look at this week's new releases! Your next nonfiction read is out now wherever books are sold.
wwnorton.com/reader
wwnorton.com/reader
Always a treat when a friend sends a pic of the book on an indie shelf! Thanks for showcasing CLODIA @gibsonsbookstore.bsky.social
August 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Always a treat when a friend sends a pic of the book on an indie shelf! Thanks for showcasing CLODIA @gibsonsbookstore.bsky.social
Reposted by Douglas Boin
August 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM