Synopses & Reviews
Suetonius (C. Suetonius Tranquillus, born ca. 70 CE), son of a military tribune, was at first an advocate and a teacher of rhetoric, but later became the emperor Hadrian's private secretary, 119121. He dedicated to C. Septicius Clarus, prefect of the praetorian guard, his
Lives of the Caesars. After the dismissal of both men for some breach of court etiquette, Suetonius apparently retired and probably continued his writing. His other works, many known by title, are now lost except for part of the
Lives of Illustrious Men (of letters).
Friend of Pliny the Younger, Suetonius was a studious and careful collector of facts, so that the extant lives of the emperors (including Julius Caesar the dictator) to Domitian are invaluable. His plan in Lives of the Caesars is: the emperor's family and early years; public and private life; death. We find many anecdotes, much gossip of the imperial court, and various details of character and personal appearance. Suetonius's account of Nero's death is justly famous.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of Suetonius is in two volumes. Both volumes were revised throughout in 1997-98, and a new Introduction added.
Synopsis
Antiquity's imperial biographer par excellence.
Suetonius (C. Suetonius Tranquillus, born ca. AD 70), son of a military tribune, was at first an advocate and a teacher of rhetoric, but later became the emperor Hadrian's private secretary, 119-121. He dedicated to C. Septicius Clarus, prefect of the praetorian guard, his Lives of the Caesars. After the dismissal of both men for some breach of court etiquette, Suetonius apparently retired and probably continued his writing. His other works, many known by title, are now lost except for part of the Lives of Illustrious Men (of letters).
Friend of Pliny the Younger, Suetonius was a studious and careful collector of facts, so that the extant lives of the emperors (including Julius Caesar the dictator) to Domitian are invaluable. His plan in Lives of the Caesars is the emperor's family and early years; public and private life; death. We find many anecdotes, much gossip of the imperial court, and various details of character and personal appearance. Suetonius's account of Nero's death is justly famous.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of Suetonius is in two volumes.
Synopsis
Lawyer and for a time private secretary to the emperor Hadrian, Suetonius was a knowledgeable and diligent collector of facts about his world. His < i="">
Synopsis
Lawyer and for a time private secretary to the emperor Hadrian, Suetonius was a knowledgeable and diligent collector of facts about his world. His Lives of the Caesars and Lives of Illustrious Men are invaluable and fascinating sources of information. Seasoned with entertaining anecdotes and bits of scandalous gossip relating to the lives of the first 12 emperors, Suetonius' biographies offer a colorful picture of Roman imperial politics and society. His account of Nero's death is justly famous.
For this revised edition Donna W. Hurley has selectively corrected and updated the translation and notes of Lives of the Caesars; G. P. Goold has revised the text of Lives of Illustrious Men to take account of recent scholarship. In a substantial new introduction K. R. Bradley analyzes Suetonius' work.
Synopsis
Enriched by anecdotes, gossip, and details of character and personal appearance, Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius (born c. 70 CE) is a valuable and colorful source of information about the first twelve Roman emperors, Roman imperial politics, and Roman imperial society. Part of Suetonius' Lives of Illustrious Men (of letters) also survives.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bibliography
Lives of the Caesars
Book I. The Deified Julius
Book II. The Deified Augustus
Book III. Tiberius
Book IV. Gaius Caligula
Stemma of the Julio-Claudian Family