Barbara Levick (born 1932) is one of Britain's foremost ancient historians. She was educated at St. Hugh's College, Oxford, and, since 1959, has been a Fellow of St. Hilda's College, Oxford (now emeritus). She is a prolific writer and occasional broadcaster on Roman history.
Levick is best known to the general public for her biographies of Roman emperors:
Levick begins by reminding her readers of the rather underestimated importance of client rulers with a decree from Cyzicus honouring client kings in Thrace (a later inscription of Philopappus on p.100 in section five has almost the feel of British India in its mixed Roman/dynastic references).
Levick looks at the rise of provincials in Roman officialdom and the impact of Greek intellectuals on Roman society (rightly noting that there is little "Spanish" about Seneca and his family).
Levick is keen to emphasise the importance of the province's economic impact on Rome and its structural necessity to the Imperial system.
BarbaraLevick's 'Claudius' is a good resource to use when falling under the Claudian spell of such works as Graves' 'I, Claudius' and 'Claudius the God', or the 'I, Claudius' BBC production.
Levick explores some of the intrigues of the Julii Caesares as well as the Claudii Nerones; she explores the history from all angles.
In Levick's eyes, Claudius is a politician struggling to retain the very basis of his power, his ultimate failure being his inability to command respect in the eyes of his contemporaries or posterity.
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