This study examines the role of female characters in the Roman epic poetry of Virgil, Ovid and other writers. Its five chapters argue that the feminized landscapes, militaristic women, and beautiful female corpses of the Roman epic tradition should be interpreted in conjunction with the use of the genre by ancient educators as a means of inculcating Roman codes of masculinity and femininity in their pupils.The issues addressed are of interest not just to classicists but also to students of later poetic traditions and to those pursuing gender studies.

"...Engendering Rome is a significant contribution to the field and is sure to be appreciated by classists, social historians, literary critics, and those interested in gender issues in ancient Rome."

"...a compact but compelling book that makes it impossible to ignore gender roles in Roman literature. Engendering Rome makes an important contribution to Roman studies, gender studies, and comparative literature. Written for students, generalists, and specialists alike, it is essential for undergraduate and graduate collections."