Classic Chats: Robert Harris on ‘Agrippa’
Summary
Hosts Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins discuss the end of their Odyssey series and preview Robert Harris’s novel Agrippa. Harris joins to explore his fictionalized account of Augustus’s loyal ally, focusing on their complex partnership and the brutal reality of Roman civil war. The conversation covers Agrippa’s erased legacy, the chaotic nature of ancient battles, and how historical fiction illuminates the enduring dynamics of political power.
Topics discussed
End of Odyssey series and listener suggestions
Introduction of Robert Harris and his novel Agrippa
Why Robert Harris returned to the ancient world
Narrative choice: Giving Agrippa a voice
The dynamic between Agrippa and Augustus
Modern political parallels and brutality of power
The chaos and horror of ancient battles
Research challenges and Agrippa's erased history
Agrippa's legacy and the Pantheon inscription
Sponsor message: Chosen Foods
Brief return to Odyssey: Cannibalism episode
Powerful women and I, Claudius comparisons
The stand-in for Augustus's portraits
Maecenas as patron of the arts
Rome as a lens for understanding power
Conclusion and thanks to Robert Harris
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