"Women in Roman Society: Gender Roles from Augustus to the Severans" by Philip Davies explores the evolving roles of women in Roman society during the height of the empire. Spanning the period from Augustus's reign to the Severan dynasty, the book delves into the social, legal, political, and economic dimensions of women's lives in ancient Rome. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, including historical texts, literature, and legal documents, Davies examines the complex intersection of gender, power, and societal expectations. The book explores the idealized roles of Roman women as wives, mothers, and matriarchs, with a focus on the matrona ideal, while also highlighting the significant ways in which women navigated or challenged these norms. It discusses the influence of women in the political sphere, particularly through their relationships with emperors and their roles in dynastic succession, as seen through figures like Livia Drusilla, Agrippina the Younger, and Julia Domna. In addition, the book examines the lives of women in the provinces, their participation in economic activities, and their involvement in religion and intellectual life. Davies also addresses the experiences of enslaved women, women in the military, and those who defied societal conventions. By placing Roman women at the center of historical analysis, this work provides a comprehensive view of how gender roles were shaped, resisted, and transformed over time within one of history's most powerful empires.