Author
Suetonius
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Books by Suetonius
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Complete
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Complete" by Suetonius is a set of twelve biographies written in 121 CE. This ancient work chronicles the lives of Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors, from Augustus through Domitian. Suetonius served as personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian when he composed these intimate portraits. Drawing on official archives, personal letters, and contemporary accounts, he reveals the heritage, physical appearance, personal habits, and political careers of Rome's most powerful rulers during the Principate era.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 06: Nero
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 06: Nero" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This work forms part of Suetonius's larger collection chronicling Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors. Written while serving as secretary to Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius draws on official archives, personal correspondence, and contemporary accounts to document Nero's heritage, physical appearance, personal habits, and political career. Known for its vivid details and occasional reliance on gossip, this biography remains a primary source for understanding one of Rome's most infamous rulers.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 02: Augustus
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 02: Augustus" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume chronicles the life of Rome's first emperor, Augustus, from his early years through his political rise and reign. Drawing on imperial archives and personal details, Suetonius crafts an intimate portrait that reveals both public achievements and private habits. Part of a larger work examining Julius Caesar and eleven emperors, this account offers scholars and readers alike a vivid glimpse into the man who transformed Rome from republic to empire.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 01: Julius Caesar
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 01: Julius Caesar" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume chronicles the life of Julius Caesar, from his youth through his legendary military conquests in Gaul and his civil war against Pompey. Suetonius recounts famous moments including Caesar's capture by pirates, his crossing of the Rubicon, and his major reforms of Roman society. The work draws from official sources and personal accounts to paint an intimate portrait of Caesar's ambition, personality, and path to power.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 11: Titus
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 11: Titus" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE as part of a larger work chronicling Rome's early emperors. This volume focuses on Titus, son of Vespasian, during the Principate era. Written while Suetonius served as personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian, the biography offers intimate details about Titus's life, appearance, habits, and political career—details often absent from other historical sources, making it an enduring primary source for understanding this particular emperor's reign.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 03: Tiberius
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 03: Tiberius" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume presents the life of Rome's second emperor, Tiberius, drawing from Suetonius's access to imperial archives and personal knowledge as secretary to Emperor Hadrian. Known for its vivid details and intimate portraits, the work blends historical facts with gossip and rumor, offering insights into Tiberius's heritage, personal habits, physical appearance, and political career during the early Roman Empire.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 05: Claudius
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 05: Claudius" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE as part of a larger work covering Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors. This volume focuses on Claudius, providing intimate details about his heritage, personal habits, physical appearance, and political career. Written while Suetonius served as personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian, the biography relies partly on secondhand accounts after the author lost access to official archives. Despite criticisms of sensationalism and bias, it remains a major primary source for understanding this enigmatic emperor's life and reign.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 12: Domitian
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 12: Domitian" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume concludes Suetonius's groundbreaking series of imperial biographies, chronicling the final Caesar in his collection. Written while serving as personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius crafted these accounts with intimate detail and controversial candor. Though criticized for relying on gossip and sensationalism, his work remains an invaluable primary source, offering rare glimpses into the personal habits, physical appearances, and political careers of Rome's earliest emperors.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 13: Grammarians and Rhetoricians
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 13: Grammarians and Rhetoricians" by C. Suetonius Tranquillus is a historical account likely written in the early centuries AD, following the time of the Roman Empire. This volume focuses on the lives of notable grammarians and rhetoricians, exploring their influence on Roman education and culture during a significant period of literary development. The text provides insights into the evolution of grammar and rhetoric in Rome, showcasing key figures and their contributions to language and public speaking. In this volume, Suetonius presents a series of biographical sketches that highlight the achievements, challenges, and eccentricities of various grammarians and rhetoricians. Among those featured are Lucius Plotius Gallus, who made significant contributions to teaching Latin, as well as Lucius Octacilius Pilitus, who transitioned from slavery to prominence in rhetoric. The narratives not only detail their educational methodologies and influences but also reveal their personal struggles and societal contexts, such as issues of class and the shifting attitudes towards education. Through these accounts, Suetonius documents the foundational role that these scholars and teachers played in shaping language and public discourse in ancient Rome.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 09: Vitellius
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 09: Vitellius" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume forms part of Suetonius's renowned collection chronicling Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors. Written while serving as secretary to Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius crafted intimate portraits of Rome's most powerful rulers. Though criticized for sensationalism and reliance on gossip, his work remains an essential primary source, offering unique details about the heritage, habits, and political careers of early imperial Rome's most influential figures.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 04: Caligula
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 04: Caligula" by Suetonius is a historical account written during the early 2nd century. This work delves into the lives and reigns of the first twelve emperors of Rome, with this particular volume focusing specifically on Caligula, the third emperor, known for his notorious and often bizarre behavior. The text is likely to cover Caligula's rise to power, his reign marked by extravagance and cruelty, and the events leading to his assassination. The opening of this biography establishes the background of Caligula, detailing the impressive lineage of his father, Germanicus, and the circumstances surrounding his birth. Suetonius introduces the character of Caligula, highlighting his upbringing in the army and early life influenced by his father’s legacy. As the text progresses, the narrative hints at Caligula's complex personality, showcasing both his charm and cruelty. Notably, the opening suggests a deep dive into the transition from the public's initial adoration of Caligula as a successor to Germanicus to the later fear and disdain as he gained notoriety for his tyrannical and erratic behavior. This section sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Caligula’s controversial reign and actions, which would ultimately define his legacy in history.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 07: Galba
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 07: Galba" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume profiles Galba, one of Rome's short-lived emperors during the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors. Part of Suetonius's famous collection examining Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors, this work offers intimate details about Galba's heritage, personal habits, physical appearance, and political career. Written while Suetonius served as personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian, the biography blends historical record with gossip and rumor, creating a vivid portrait of imperial power and its perils.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 14: Lives of the Poets
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 14: Lives of the Poets" by Suetonius is a historical account written during the early 2nd century AD. This volume focuses on the lives of several prominent poets of ancient Rome, such as Terence, Juvenal, and Horace, providing readers with biographical sketches that illuminate both their personal backgrounds and their contributions to literature. The book not only serves as a record of these poets' lives but also examines the social and political contexts in which they wrote. In this collection, Suetonius provides detailed accounts of the lives, works, and influences of these poets, emphasizing their experiences and relationships within Roman society. Terence is presented as a former slave who became a celebrated playwright, while Juvenal is depicted as a satirist whose sharp critiques of society led to his banishment. Horace, on the other hand, is portrayed as a poet who navigated the intricacies of life through his writings that charm and instruct, securing the favor of powerful patrons like Mecaenas. Overall, the text celebrates the literary achievements of these figures while offering insight into their character and the challenges they faced in their artistic endeavors.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 08: Otho
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 08: Otho" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE as part of a larger work chronicling Rome's early emperors. This volume focuses on Otho, one of the brief rulers during the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors. Written while Suetonius served as secretary to Emperor Hadrian, the biography blends political history with intimate personal details. Though criticized for relying on gossip and hearsay, it remains a valuable primary source, offering insights into an emperor's life that other historical accounts have lost to time.
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 10: Vespasian
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 10: Vespasian" by Suetonius is a biography written in 121 CE. This volume is part of Suetonius's larger work chronicling Julius Caesar and the first eleven Roman emperors. Written while serving as secretary to Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius offers an intimate portrait of Vespasian, drawing on personal details and political insights. Though criticized for relying on gossip and sensationalism, the work remains a crucial primary source, especially valuable since other historical accounts have been lost to time.