An analysis of suetonius s the twelve caesars essay on an analysis of suetonius s the twelve caesars 1422 words 6 pages. The twelve caesarsjulius caesar, augustus, tiberius, caligula, claudius, nero, galba, otho, vitellius, vespasian, titus, and domitiancreated an empire which dominated the then known world and influenced it for a millennium. The patrician branch of the claudians there being a plebeian branch too, no less influential and distinguished was originally from regillum, a sabine town. Pdf the twelve caesars book by suetonius free download 363. The family moved to rome, with a large throng of dependants, either shortly after the foundation of the city in 753bc, at the instigation of titus tatius, who ruled jointly with. The practice of giving precise references to source material did not come into common use until the nineteenth century. An able biographer, suetonius demonstrates his literary competence by authoring a text that both casual readers will find.
Suetonius tranquillus, the lives of the twelve caesars, to which are added his lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The twelve caesars, often titled lives of the caesars in english, is a collection of 12 biographies covering julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire in historical order. Suetonius was a close friend of senator and letterwriter pliny the younger. It details biographical information and gossip about the first 12 emperors of rome.
An essential primary source on roman history and a fascinating achievement of scholarship covering a critical period in the empire as private secretary to the emperor hadrian, the scholar suetonius had access to the imperial archives and used them along with eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in history. The twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire. Latin edition of the twelve caesars published in 1541. Thus, it is a rare opportunity indeed to present this set of twelve caesars gold aurei. Gaius suetonius tranquillus c75 c160 ad the twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire. The work, written in ad 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, was the most popular work of suetonius, at that time hadrians personal secretary, and is the.
Suetonius writes a detailed memoir about each of the kings, outlining in vivid detail their actions, their lives, their. In his work the twelve caesars, suetonius presents the reader with biographies of the prominent caesars who ruled rome. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. A brief biography of gaius suetonius tranquillus a.
The work was written in 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, while suetonius was hadrians personal secretary. Not much is known about the life of gaius suetonius tranquillus. The main characters of this history, classics story are nero, caligula. Mar 29, 2007 suetonius, the author of the twelve caesars, produced the biography during the reign of emperor hadrian for whom he served as the imperial secretary gaining access to the imperial archives. The work, written in ad 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, was the most popular work of suetonius, at that time hadrians personal secretary, and is the largest among his surviving writings. Part of suetoniuss lives of illustrious men of letters also survives.
The twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire written by gaius suetonius tranquillus. Suetonius used the imperial archives and a series of first hand accounts to produce his work which covered in vast detail the inner working and personal. Suetonius classic treatise on the lives of the first twelve emperors of the roman empire. The twelve caesars the twelve caesars is a gripping account of the lives of men who shaped the early roman empire, and a catalog of the corrupting influence of power on rome and its leaders. Suetonius family was of the knightly class, or equites. The first edition of the novel was published in 119, and was written by suetonius.
The twelve caesars graves, robert, suetonius, rives. He increased the provinces only by the realm of pontus, when it was given up by polemon, and. Suetonius provides a cogent illustration of the lives of twelve roman emperors from julius caesar to domitian by painting a vivid picture of the civic activities and licentious personal conduct of these twelve caesars. Suetonius the twelve caesars if a friend asked me to tell him if it is worth it to read suetonius book the twelve caesars, i would say it is. Nevertheless, he presents enough historical reporting to make this interesting to people who want to learn about the major events of the lives of these men. The twelve caesars index efghij egloge was neros old nurse booksixl she helped to deposit neros ashes in the family tomb egnatius rufus, marcus. The lives of the twelve caesars by gaius suetonius.
Suetonius tranquillus was the son of a roman knight who commanded a legion, on the side of otho, at the. The twelve caesars by suetonius 20, paperback for sale. The lives of the twelve caesars, complete by suetonius. Her introduction summarizes a complex topic succinctly and is informative without being overwhelming, set at an ideal level for the student and intelligent enthusiast. However, writers in the ancient world were often at pains to stress that they had undertaken research and that their portrait of the past was supported by evidence. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 363 pages and is available in paperback format. Suetonius the twelve caesars 1126 words 123 help me. Suetonius classic treatise on the lives of the first twelve emperors of the. The work was considered highly significant in antiquity and remains a primary source on roman history. Suetonius twelve caesars is a key narrative source for the period it covers and, unlike tacitus, it has survived entire and is uninterrupted. This collection, apparently entitled caesares, does not survive, but it was a source for a later biographical collection, known as historia augusta, which now forms a kind of sequel to suetonius work. His work is unparalleled in detail and is a rich primary source on the history of rome. In this book you can learn about the early empire, the laws and traditions if thats what you want. Pliny describes him as quiet and studious, a man dedicated to writing.
The lives of the twelve caesars by suetonius books on. I was admittedly anticipating a biased account considering that suetonius was the chief secretary to hadrian during his reign. Enriched by anecdotes, gossip, and details of character and personal appearance, lives of the caesars by suetonius born c. Upon the accession of emperor hadrian 117, he entered the. This book, though old, is still very interesting and informative today. As private secretary to the emperor hadrian, suetonius gained a. The lives of the twelve caesars full audiobook youtube. By robert graves 1965 translator of the twelve caesars by suetonius. The work was written in 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, while. Oct 25, 2007 buy the twelve caesars penguin classics rev. Suetonius was employed as secretary to emperor hadrian and due to this, had access.
Suetonius tranquillus, the lives of the caesars, suetonius. Although suetoniuss history reports the events of the lives of the first twelve caesars, at times, it reads like people magazine. Book iii tiberius a new freely downloadable translation. The latin text is that of maximilian ihm in the teubner edition of 1907. An english translation, augmented with the biographies of contemporary statesmen, orators, poets, and other associates. Suetonius does an excellent job in painting an objective picture of the lives of the twelve caesars from julius caesar to domitian.
It was dedicated to a friend, the praetorian prefect gaius septicius clarus. Suetonius the twelve cesars if a friend asked me to tell him if it is worth it to read suetonius book the twelve cesars, i would say it is. Pliny helped him buy a small property and interceded with the emperor trajan to grant suetonius immunities usually granted to a father of three, the ius trium liberorum, because his marriage was. The biographies are not wholly flattering nor are events told in chronological sequence but they reveal some candid details of romes first. It stands on the verge of the pontine marshes, on the road to naples.
The twelve caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over rome, from the. The book provides valuable information on the heritage, personal habits, physical appearance, lives, and political careers of the first roman emperors as it mentions details which other sources. Julius caesar, the divine 3, lost his father 4 when he. Free download or read online the twelve caesars pdf epub book. Suetoniuss work describes the lives of romes first 12 leaders from julius caesar to domitian hence it is best known today as the twelve. Suetonius was employed as secretary to emperor hadrian and due to this, had access to documents describing the caesars lives. Roman scholar and official, bestknown as the author of the lives of the twelve caesars. An analysis of suetonius s the twelve caesars 1422.
The twelve caesars julius caesar, augustus, tiberius, caligula, claudius, nero, galba, otho, vitellius, vespasian, titus, and domitiancreated an empire which dominated the then known world and influenced it for a millennium. The work, probably written around 121ad in the reign of hadrian, therefore covers the crucial and highly eventful period of roman history from the end of the republic to the reign of domitian. The twelve caesars chapter 4, gaius caligula summary. Pdf the twelve caesars book by suetonius free download. With a position close to the imperial court he was able to access otherwise private sources for his work, and he certainly did not hold back on revealing the sometimes sordid. So far from being actuated by any wish or hope of increasing or extending the empire, he even thought of withdrawing the army from britain and changed his purpose only because he was ashamed to seem to belittle the glory of his father. Dec 31, 2002 as private secretary to the emperor hadrian, suetonius gained access to the imperial archives and used them along with carefully gathered eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in history. The lives of the twelve caesars online library of liberty. Wikimedia commons suetoniuss work describes the lives of romes first 12 leaders from julius caesar to domitian hence it is best known. To which are added, his lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets. Beginning with caesar himself, in the mid first century bc, it ends in ad 96 with domitian and covers the reigns of. The twelve caesars served as a model for the biographies of 2nd and early 3rdcentury emperors compiled by marius maximus. As private secretary to the emperor hadrian, suetonius gained access to the imperial archives and used them along with carefully gathered eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in history. It is important to note however, that the writing style of suetonius day was much different from our own.
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