 Livia is portrayed as deceptively submissive in public, while in private she possesses an iron will, and a gift for political scheming that matches Atia's.In John Maddox Roberts's short story "The King of Sacrifices," set in his SPQR series, Livia hires Decius Metellus to investigate the murder of one of Julia the Elder's lovers.In "Antony and Cleopatra" by Colleen McCullough, Livia is portrayed as a cunning and effective advisor to her husband, whom she loves passionately.