Women's history podcaster and author Kate J. Armstrong joins Zoë Routh to explore how women exercised power and political influence during the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Despite being excluded from formal political authority, Roman women shaped decisions through strategic relationships, financial independence, public reputation, and political alliances. Their stories challenge traditional ideas about who holds power and how influence operates.
How can leaders influence decisions without formal authority? Can relationships, reputation, and strategic thinking be as powerful as an official leadership position?
Drawing on her research for The Exploresse: Women's History Through the Ages, Kate examines the lives of Livia, Fulvia, Servilia, and Cleopatra, revealing how each navigated political structures and exercised influence in different ways.
Together, Zoë and Kate uncover valuable lessons for modern leaders about building relationships, understanding power dynamics, managing reputation, and influencing outcomes beyond formal authority.
Summary
Influence Without Authority - How women in Ancient Rome navigated patriarchal systems, challenged social expectations, and exercised political influence despite being excluded from formal positions of power.
Women's Independence and Political Advocacy - How legal exceptions, financial autonomy, and public advocacy created opportunities for women such as Hortensia to challenge established authority and influence decisions.
Livia and Fulvia's Contrasting Approaches to Power - How Livia used reputation, diplomacy, and strategic relationships, while Fulvia pursued direct political action and challenged traditional expectations of Roman women.
Servilia and Cleopatra's Strategic Leadership - How Servilia used political connections, listening, and relationship-building to influence decisions, while Cleopatra demonstrated political intelligence, financial management, and diplomacy.
Ancient Rome and Modern Leadership - What the experiences of influential Roman women reveal about navigating organisational politics, building credibility, managing relationships, and exercising influence without formal authority.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
How can I exercise meaningful influence without formal authority, and am I recognising those who shape decisions behind the scenes?
How do cultural expectations, organisational traditions, and unwritten rules influence who holds power and whose voices are heard?
Am I building strategic relationships, listening to different perspectives, and managing my reputation to strengthen credibility and influence?
When should I use diplomacy, persuasion, or direct action to challenge established structures and create meaningful change?
Am I recognising leadership beyond traditional titles and using periods of uncertainty or organisational change to create opportunities for overlooked individuals?
Kate J. Armstrong reflects on:
Women's History and Overlooked Influence - How The Exploresse explores women's forgotten contributions, revealing how figures such as Hortensia, Agrippina, and other influential Roman women shaped history despite limited formal authority.
Patriarchal Structures and Women's Independence - How Roman laws, the paterfamilias system, legal exceptions, and financial responsibilities restricted women's rights while creating opportunities for autonomy and influence.
Livia and Fulvia's Contrasting Approaches to Power - How Livia used reputation, diplomacy, and strategic relationships, while Fulvia pursued direct political action, public demonstrations, and military involvement.
Servilia and Cleopatra's Strategic Leadership - How Servilia exercised influence through political alliances and relationship-building, while Cleopatra demonstrated political intelligence, diplomacy, and financial leadership.
Changing Power Structures and Modern Leadership Lessons - How political instability created opportunities for women to expand their influence, and what modern leaders can learn about navigating organisational politics, building credibility, and exercising power without formal authority.
Key Quotes
“But that's not to say they had no autonomy and that they had no power and agency, because they definitely did.” - Kate J. Armstrong
“I think that she gave him advice, but she knew how to pick her moment, and she knew how to do it quietly and behind screens.” - Kate J. Armstrong on Livia
“Not having to act like a man or emulate a man in order to get ahead.” - Kate J. Armstrong
“I think the fact that she hung on as long as she did against the odds she was up against is really extraordinary.” - Kate J. Armstrong, on Cleopatra
“And the tapestry's much richer and more beautiful to have those unspoken narratives, those unspoken stories brought to light.” - Zoë Routh
Questions Explored
How did women in Ancient Rome exercise political influence despite legal restrictions and exclusion from formal authority?
How did Hortensia challenge political decisions through public advocacy, and what does her experience reveal about influencing those in power?
How did Livia and Fulvia use contrasting approaches to reputation, political relationships, and direct action to gain influence?
How did Servilia and Cleopatra demonstrate strategic leadership through diplomacy, relationship-building, and political intelligence?
What can modern leaders learn from influential Roman women about navigating power structures, challenging traditional expectations, and leading without formal authority?
Take Action
Recognise Influence Beyond Formal Authority - Look beyond job titles to identify individuals who shape decisions through expertise, relationships, and credibility.
Understand Organisational Power Structures - Examine the unwritten rules, cultural expectations, and informal networks that influence decisions and opportunities.
Build Strategic Relationships - Learn from Servilia's ability to connect people, listen carefully, and cultivate relationships that strengthen collaboration and influence.
Choose Your Approach to Influence - Take inspiration from Livia's diplomacy and Fulvia's direct action. Consider when persuasion, advocacy, or decisive intervention will be most effective.
Challenge Traditional Leadership Assumptions - Reflect on Cleopatra's overlooked capabilities and recognise opportunities to empower others, particularly during periods of organisational change.
Go Deeper:
Explore Zoë’s books: https://zoerouthauthor.com
Enter the Power Games giveaway here
Learn more about Power Games: https://zoerouthauthor.com/products/power-games-paperback
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:29 Weekly Leadership Question: Influencing Without Formal Authority
00:45 Planet Zoë: Western Australia and Ancient Rome Novel Update
01:53 Power Games Paperback Giveaway
02:41 Meet Kate J. Armstrong: The Exploresse and The Night Birds
03:55 Why Kate J. Armstrong Became Interested in Women's History
05:56 Creating The Exploresse: Bringing Women's Everyday History to Life
07:40 Women, Power and Influence in Ancient Rome
08:17 The Paterfamilias: Patriarchy, Marriage and Women's Legal Status
11:02 Vestal Virgins, Sui Juris and Women's Legal Autonomy
14:15 Women Managing Roman Households, Businesses and Finances
16:21 Hortensia's Public Protest Against Taxation
19:26 Livia's Soft Power, Public Image and Marriage to Augustus
25:03 Fulvia: Political Ambition and Challenging Roman Expectations
28:41 Fulvia's Political and Military Leadership Against Octavian
30:03 Proscriptions and Fulvia's Rise to Political Power
31:10 Fulvia's Downfall and Historical Reputation
32:04 Servilia's Behind-the-Scenes Political Influence
33:46 Servilia: Relationship-Building and the Power of Hosting
35:19 Leadership Lessons from Ancient Rome: Relationships, Reputation and Influence
39:39 Cleopatra Beyond the Myth: Political Intelligence and Strategic Alliances
45:39 Why Women's History Matters and the Stories History Overlooks
46:59 Fast Three: Roman Symbols, Agrippina and Ancient Curse Tablets
49:46 Where to Find Kate J. Armstrong and The Exploresse
50:43 Final Thoughts, Power Games Giveaway and Next Episode
Related episodes on Power and Leadership
389 Navigating Power: Balancing Influence and Integrity with Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau
419: The Great Man, Hidden Hands and Buried Code - What Ancient Rome Teaches Us About Power
421: The Hidden Rules of Power: Leadership Lessons from Ancient Rome with Fiona Forsyth
About Kate J. Armstrong
Kate J. Armstrong is the host and creator of The Exploress, a podcast that takes listeners traveling back through history to find out what life was like there for women.
She is also the author of the NIGHTBIRDS duology, an internationally bestselling YA fantasy series.
Originally from Virginia, she now calls Melbourne, Australia home.
Check out her books here: https://www.katejarmstrong.com/home
About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.