I'm not sure who I dislike more out of Antonia and Livia
Both were quite despicable people in my opinion.
Antonia had zero warmth, and Livia was self-centred.
Antonia may have had zero warmth, but Livia was a monster.
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Livia was perfection! It's not even a competition! She's a goddess.
Seriously, Livia was obviously a monster but, at the same time, I do think she genuinely believed she was doing what was right for Rome. Plus, Livia was so human. She laughed, she cried. She had those wonderful humorous moments like with the poisoner discussing their craft. She showed she knew how horrible her sins were when she was dying.
Altogether she was a real human being. Antonia was the epitome of Roman virtue (and very well played) but there wasn't much to love there.
Antonia could be rather salty in old age though.
The one thing I can't beat... Competition.
Maybe it's because I was a theatre major but I loved both characters. What actress wouldn't love playing Livia? I'm sure Sian Phillips had a blast.
Antonia was the textbook example of a proper Roman matron. This would be an amplified version of an "old money" one today.
The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.
I liked Livia a lot more. Antonia handled everything by burying her head in the sand and then acting shocked and outraged when comforted with the truth. At one point she starts talking about how all the Roman men were spineless for not doing something about Caligula, but does nothing herself. She could weld a knife just as well as anyone else, but instead of taking action she kills herself. What annoys me about Antonia is that she chooses to sit on the sidelines and then complains about everyone sitting on the sidelines.
At least with Livia, she is what she is and knows it.
Except that was what Roman matrons were expected to do. As Agrippina says later, "Rome isn't Egypt. Rome must be ruled by men."
The difference in rank between Livia, Antonia, and Agrippina allowed Livia to do what she did with a sense of impunity. All three women in fact possessed greater intelligence than many of the men in the imperial family. Not to mention cooler heads.
The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.
While Livia was certainly evil she has an odd charm and a sense of humor that Antonia lacks. Her treatment of Claudius shows this. Livia could make jokes and often does. Even if the jokes are cruel that still makes her more human than Antonia.
At the end of her life Livia finally saw Claudius for who he was. Antonia never did.
As bad as her daughter Livila was, Antonia puts the good of a brother-in-law (Tiberius) who ignores her over that of her own flesh and blood.
Antonia is simply too dislikable for me.
Mice work in mysterious ways.
No, dear. That's God.
Livia was evil incarnate, I'll never forgive her for what she did to Augustus played by the wonderful Brian Blessed. And I'm glad the evil old cow died thinking she'd go to hell.
Both are assholes, but Livia did FAR more harm! Antonia may have been mean to her children, a self-righteous asshole in general, and committed one "justifiable homicide" on camera, but Livia had God knows how many people killed and was wholly or partly responsible for making two monsters emperor. So she was personally responsible for hundreds or thousands of murders and executions (at a guess), including those of family members, and she was indirectly responsible for all of Caligula and Tiberius's crimes, and for setting the Roman Empire on the course to being ruled by vile Divine Emperors.
That said, who wouldn't rather hang out with Livia? Livia was charming and fascinating, while Antonia was one of those horrible buzzkill people who disapproves of absolutely everything.
Sure I'd hang out with her, but I dare not drink any wine!
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