Book Description
Translated by Robert Graves and Revised with an Introduction by Michael Grant.
Customer Reviews:
Answers about the Roman Emperors.......2007-08-24
This is an engaging book, full of intersting facts which sometimes are hard to find. The book is written with an easy flow, that keeps your interest till the end.
For avid followers of history, in particular the good and bad of Roman emperors, this is a book for you.
THE TWELVE CAESARS - SUETONIUS.......2007-07-21
I FOUND THIS TITLE BY THE ROMAN AUTHOR SUETONIUS TO BE A FASCINATING AND IN-DEPTH [ IF ACCORDING TO SOME HISTORIANS A BIT BIASED ] OVER-VIEW OF THE FIRST TWELVE RULERS OF ROME WHO HELD OR ADOPTED THE NOMEN OF CAESAR. MY REASON FOR PURCHASING WAS THAT MY OLD PAPERBACK VERSION HAD SUFFERED FROM BEING OVER-READ AND REFERRED TO AND WAS DELAPIDATED.
GAIUS JULIUS WAS OF THE FAMILY - HIS GREAT NEPHEW OCTAVIANUS TOOK HIS NAMES AFTER ADOPTION INTO THE FAMILY AND THEREAFTER THE CAESAR TITLE CAME LESS TO BE A FAMILY TITLE THAN AN INDICATOR THAT THE EMPERORS LOOKED BACK TO THE ASSASSINATED ORIGINAL AS THEIR FOREBEAR IF NOT IN BLOODLINE THEN IN SIMPLE FACT.
IT IS A TITLE THAT SURVIVED DOWN TO THE RUSSIAN CZARS AND THE GERMAN KAISERS. KAI-SER, IN FACT, IS HOW THE NAME CAESAR WAS ORIGINALLY PRO-NOUNCED IN LATIN USEAGE.
WITH NERO THE IMMEDIATE LINE OF THE CAESARS EXTINGUISHED BUT THERE WERE MANY MORE INTERESTING, IF NOT AS DEEPLY INTERESTING, RULERS TO FOLLOW HIM. THE BOOK COVERS THE JULIO-CLAUDIANS, THE THREE INTERIM EMERORS IN 68 AND 69 [ GALBA, OTHO AND VITELLIUS ] AND THE FLAVIANS, VESPASIAN, TITUS AND DOMITIAN.
ALONGSIDE GRAVES' 'I CLAUDIUS', 'THE TWELVE CAESARS' IS A VERY GOOD INTRODUCTION FOR ANYONE SEEKING TO EXAMINE, FROM MANY CENTURIES DIVORCED , THE INTRIGUING AND LITERAL BACK STABBING THAT WENT ON IN IMPERIAL ROME'S EARLY YEARS.
ROGER DESHON - 22 QUEENSCOURT ROAD ALEXANDRA HILLS QLD 4161 AUSTRALIA
The Basis of Much Of What We know About These Guys .......2007-06-16
This is really a fascinating book on so many levels. First so much historical fiction, and drama that has been based on the lives of the Ceasars is indebted to Suetonius as the author who wrote these incredible character sketches. There's much to learn about the personal lives of the famous Roman emperors in this fine translation. This has served as source material for centuries of scholars and writers who found universal truths about human nature and political power in these lives.
Very accessible to the general reader and highly entertaining.
The Gold Standard of Ancient History.......2007-04-17
This translation of Suetonius's Twelve Ceasars translated by Robert Graves with a great introduction by Michael Grant is a history-lover's dream. This is definitely my favorite historial work in translation; it is expertly and lovingly brought to life. To me, anybody should be able to be transported in moments back to ancient Rome in the time of Augustus or Nero and have one hell of a read. Suetonius was a minor government functionary who was given the spectacular opportunity to see the early imperial archives, kind of like a blogger or National Enquirer reporter given the opportunity to look at Clinton-era video surveilance or Nixon's Watergate tapes. This work is one of the most accessible views of ancient history ever. It's filled with lurid sex, gossip, murder, palace coups, degeneracy, monumental building, war, poisonings, etc. If you're going to be a liberal arts major, it pays to know a few dirty stories about the Caesars; this is the book to read.
Rome's Tabloid Historian.......2007-03-26
Suetonius grew up in the years following Nero's reign and wrote these histories while he was the secretary of the emperor Hadrian in the early second century A.D. His book covers the successive reigns of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
The stories focus on the emperors themselves more than the events which took place under their reigns and, although there's certainly some truth to those emperors, many of Suetonius' facts are anecdotal stories and rumors. Suetonius has therefore been called one of the first tabloid writers. Nevertheless, his biographies are rather concise and systematic; touching upon the physical attributes of the ruler, his background, the good deeds (if any) in his reign and then, of course, the bad deeds.
Robert Graves' translation is superb and probalby one of the best ones available. It is quite faithful to the generally jovial mood of Suetonius' work and presented with a good introduction by reputed historian Michael Grant. I can't help but be amused at some of the stories Suetonius recites on Nero and Caligula as they are definitely two of the most eccentric emperors (to put it lightly)that ever ruled the Principate. For example, when Nero first inaugurated his new gigantic Golden House with a mile-long corridor and a 130' statue of himself at the entrance, he was said to have exclaimed, "At last! I can live like a human being!"
Book Description
Covering the Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian, remains on e f the most enlightening of all Roman histories.
Customer Reviews:
If ancient Rome had tabloids..........2005-12-10
Not much is known about the life of Gaius Suetonius Tranquillis. He was probably born in A.D. 69--the famous 'year of four Emperors'--when his father, a Roman knight, served as a colonel in a regular legion and took part in the Battle of Baetricum.
Suetonius became a scribe and noted secretary to the military set, eventually ending up in the service of Hadrian, who was emperor from A.D. 117-138. He was dismissed for 'indiscreet behaviour' with Hadrian's empress, Sabina, but not before doing sufficient research to complete many books of a historical nature. His attempts at philosophy were much less well received, and most of his history has been overlooked by all but classical scholars, but this work, 'The Twelve Caesars' has held the imagination of more than just the scholarly set since it was first written.
Suetonius had the good fortune of speaking to eyewitnesses from the time of the early Caesars. Much of his information about Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero in fact comes from those who observed and/or participated in their lives. Suetonius is in many ways more of a reporter than an historian--he would record conflicting statements without worrying about the reconciliation (this set him apart from Tacitus and other classical historians who tried to find a consistency in stories and facts.
Suetonius has been described as the tabloid journalist of ancient Rome, because not only did he not appear to check facts (which in fact is not true--he did check, he just didn't try to smooth over the conflicting facts), but he choose to concentrate on the private lives, motivations and personality quirks of his subjects rather than their grand plans, policies and military/political victories. Thus, many details of the lurid scene appear. Suetonius, and this volume in particular, formed much of the basis for Robert Graves as he wrote 'I, Claudius' and 'Claudius the God', which in turn pulled up the popularity of Suetonius in this generation.
Suetonius had first hand knowledge of many of the Caesars who followed the Claudians, and ready access to the archives of the imperial family and the Senate, given his imperial posting.
This translation is not intended to be a faithful rendering of the language (which might well result in a stilted English construct) but rather a faithful account of the stories Suetonius tells. Graves has taken the liberty of changing monetary, date, and technical terms into standard English measurements of close kinship of meaning.
For the record, the twelve Caesars, about whom Suetonius writes, are:
+ Julius Caesar
+ Augustus
+ Tiberius
+ Gaius Caligula
+ Claudius
+ Nero
+ Galba
+ Otho
+ Vitellius
+ Vespasian
+ Titus
+ Domitian
Suetonius held nothing back in writing about the personal habits of the emperors and their families, nor did he hold back in his moral judgement of them. Of Tiberius, for instance, he wrote that Tiberius did so many other wicked deeds under the pretext of reforming public morals--but in reality to gratify his lust for seeing people suffer--that many satires were written against the evils of the day, incidentally expressing gloomy fears about the future.... At first Tiberius dismissed these verses as the work of bilious malcontents who were impatient with his reforms and did not really mean what they said. He would remark: 'Let them hate me, so long as they fear me!' But, as time went on, his conduct justified every line they had written.
Graves' edition of Suetonius is available under many covers, from hard-back study editions to Penguin paperbacks, including a wonderful, finely printed edition by the Folio Society. Take a step back into the seemier side of ancient Rome, the side most history courses overlook in favour of more traditional historical events, and hie thee to the bookstore for this work.
All the Dirty Laundry!.......2005-09-09
Seutonius did the world a great service when he wrote his "The Lives of the Twelve Caesars". This was one of the first primary sources that I read, and it remains a favourite of mine.
Seutonius tackles each of the first twelve Caesars in chronological order, with a section on each one. He claims he has used many sources, and has even included some hearsay or otherwise unconfirmed information. He certainly was not shy about airing their dirty laundry.
Unlike a lot of ancient authors that get translated into English, Suetonius' style is very relaxed and very easy to get absorbed into. Even in translation, the book maintains a brisk pace and has enough to keep one interested until the last page.
Suetonius' "The Lives of the Twelve Caesars" is a fascinating book, written with access to sources long lost to us. This is a great book to read and enjoy, simultaneously being good for those interested in serious study of the period.
Fascinating insights into 12 first century leaders.......2003-10-01
Suetonius book covers the lives and works of the 12 leading Romans of the periode from ca. 70BC to 96AD: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasianus, Titus and Domitianus. He describes their commendable achievements first an then goes in depth into their not so nice qualities too. The account he gives is lively and alive with quite private details of the 12 men. It's a fascinating read that also gives the reader an insight into Roman live in the first century AD
A must for advocates of democracy opposed to demagogues.......2001-03-08
I find this book essential not, as most readers see, a simple history of Rome, but rather as a grim example of the excesses possible when democracy fails and absolute power is contained in one human being(Rome beginning its career as a wonderfull Republic). Although most see Suetonius' vivid descriptions of lust and other deviant vices as mere gossip, I propose that is exactly what he is trying to elucidate for the ages to see. These same excesses gave rise to almost the entire fundamental ideas of the religion known as Christianity and their whole hearted opposition to orgies, torture, crucifictions, feeding to the lions and the like, all due to the whims of deranged monkeys who called themselves Caesar. Read for yourself, for example, the history behind St. Valentine's day.
Read your primary sources people!.......2000-02-16
In historical study there are two types of literature. Secondary sources are written based on the original writings which are known as Primary sources. If you want to lern about the earliest Roman Emperors this source is indispensable. True, some of it is not historical and Suetonius is somewhat of a gossip monger at times, seeing as he explains in detail the various sexual appetites of each Caesar as well as other deviant behaviour. Still, this is one of the foremost primary sources about those famous Romans and most of the history books written on the Caesars are standing on Suetonius' shoulders.
Amazon.com
Born in 60 A.D., Suetonius served for several years as secretary to the Roman emperor Hadrian. His years in the palaces and halls of imperial government served him well when he set out to write this oftentimes eye-popping, tell-all account of the doings of the first 12 emperors, from Julius to Domitian, who make the good fellas of Mafia renown seem tame by comparison. From Suetonius we learn that Augustus was afraid of lightning and thunder and carried a piece of seal skin as protection against them; that Caligula slept with his mother and his sister; and that Nero outlawed mimes in Rome--which may mean that he wasn't such a bad man after all. Suetonius doesn't hesitate to say when he's reporting gossip that he has not personally verified, but what gossip it is! This translation, by the noted classicist Robert Graves, serves the ancient chronicler very well indeed.
Book Description
Little is known about the life of Gaius Suetonius Tranquillis, but much is inferred. He was born in the first century A.D. when Roman power was at its zenith. Pliny the Younger tells us that Suetonius briefly practiced law, avoided political controversy and became chief secretary to the Emperor Hadrian.
Suetonius lived out his full span and died in 140 A.D. He was a prolific writer, for there are records of numerous books. But the only one extant is THE TWELVE CAESARS, the most fascinating and richest of all Latin histories.
Customer Reviews:
Indispensable guide to the early Roman Empire.......2007-03-08
This is a collection of essays about the first twelve rulers to bear the name Caesar. It is the definitive collection of eyewitness stories about the early emperors as they were seen by their contemporaries.
The rulers covered by this book include Julius Caesar, his adopted son Augustus and his descendents, the warlords who contended for power in the "Year of Four Caesars" after Nero was overthrown, and the Flavians.
In other words, the full list of twelve is:
Julius Caesar
Augustus
Tiberius
Gaius Caligula
Claudius
Nero
Galba
Otho
Vitellius
Vespasian
Titus
Domitian.
If you want to understand the early Roman Empire, you need to read this book. If you are a budding novelist and want to write about the early Empire, you need to read this book.
Robert Graves, author of "I Claudius" and "Claudius the God" translated this version: not surprisingly many of the snippets of gossip and fascinating little stories from Suetonius find their way into his novels. They also find their way into every good novel about first century Rome that I have ever read, absolutely without exception.
You should not take for granted that every word of Suetonius's account is accurate. For example, he supports the story that Nero set fire to the city of Rome, and then sang an aria as he watched the city burn. (This is story is often misquoted as Nero having fiddled while Rome burned - an impossibility since the violin had not been invented.)
Some modern historians have made a strong case that this was a clever libel spread by Nero's contemporary opponents, that Nero was actually away from the city when the fire broke out and hurried back to Rome to personally lead the fire-fighting efforts.
If they are right it does not cast doubt on Suetonius's integrity as a reporter of what was said about the emperor, because there is no dispute that the story of Nero singing while Rome burned was widely believed at the time. As the saying goes, "Si non e vero, e ben trovato" - if it's not true, it's well invented. Aspects of the story certainly seem in character with many of Nero's other proclivities including his love of art, enormous vanity, and complete ruthlessness. However, it illustrates that Suetonius does seem to have a propensity to repeat every snippet of gossip he heard about the early emperors, with rather less selectivity and critical judgement than the other great ancient historians, Herodotus and Thucydides.
However, for this very reason, though perhaps he is a whisker behind Herodotus and Thucydides as a historian, Suetonius is far and away the most entertaining of the three.
The translation by Graves is very easy to read. This is one of the most important, fascinating, and informative works of ancient history which was ever written.
Suetonious or Tacitus?.......2006-03-07
That question can be solved by me by choosing the former simply because of what survives of his work and here it is: The Twelve Caesars. Tacitus is the other great Roman historian but what survives of his two masterpieces: The Annals and The Histories, is not as comprehensive as what is found in The Twelve Caesars.
The Twelve Caesars is definatley my favorite historical work of the Roman Empire. In it, Suetonious goes over the actions and character of not only the entire Julio-Claudian dynasty but the Flavian as well, making The Twelve Caesars cover roughly 138 years.
This is probably the best historical account of the emperors of the Roman Empire and is the best introduction to other works such as the great works of Tacitus.
A Great Introductory Book to Imperial Rome.......2005-03-02
Suetonius grew up in the years following Nero's reign and wrote these histories while he was the secretary of the emperor Hadrian in the early second century A.D. His book covers the successive reigns of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
The stories focus on the emperors themselves more than the events which took place under their reigns and, although there's certainly some truth to those emperors, many of Suetonius' facts are anecdotal stories and rumors. Suetonius has therefore been called one of the first tabloid writers. Nevertheless, his biographies are rather concise and systematic; touching upon the physical attributes of the ruler, his background, the good deeds (if any) in his reign and then, of course, the bad deeds.
Robert Graves' translation is superb and carries the jovial mood of the writings quite well. I can't help but be amused at some of the stories Suetonius recites on Nero and Caligula as they are definitely two of the most eccentric emperors (to put it lightly)that ever ruled the Principate. For example, when Nero first inaugurated his new gigantic Golden House with a mile-long corridor and a 130' statue of himself at the entrance, he was said to have exclaimed, "At last! I can live like a human being!"
A fine collection of inbred pedophiles, sadists & basic.......2003-12-31
lunatics that ruled Rome in the first century, & told very well in the audio cassette format. As history it is not much but as biography it is informative & entertaining. Apparently the mores & standards of decency were much diiferent than they are today. Most of these 12 Caesars did not not rule very long but they impacted the Empire probably for a long time after. I'd like to read more about the individuals that followed Domitian & before Julius thus supplementing other well known works such as the Fall of the Roman Empire. This book however, is a good start.
By Jove, this is scandal!.......2003-07-16
The Twelve Caesars is the first classical book I ever read, and it fascinated me to no end. I'd recommend this is a starter book for anyone interested in the History of Political Power. Gore Vidal reviewed this book years ago, and he wrote an excellent piece about it--the nature of power, the perversions it causes, and the absurd humanity of it All. Hopefully there won't be another Tiberius as President of the USA (we only have our cheap Clintonius) but it's fun to wonder what may become of our American Empire. Please, please buy this book.
Book Description
Here is something to please those Gladiator fans! Filled with vivid battle sequences and excellent historical detail, this novel from an army officer turned writer presents the "memoirs" of the Roman General Suetonius Paulinus. Sent to Wales to capture the gold mines, Paulinus faces the fury of Queen Boudicca's tribes, all united against Nero's corrupt officials. It's a tale packed with fascinating detail of life in Roman Britain and in the Legions in particular.
Customer Reviews:
Reducing the Province to Order.......2007-04-30
Geo. Shipway's "Imperial Governor" is without question one of the finest historical novels I've ever read, and it's very much on my personal Top Ten List of favourite novels. I find it amazing and shameful that all of Shipway's historical works aren't in print. His "Free Lance" and "Knight in Anarchy" deserve to be recovered from obscurity. It's worth noting that Shipway himself was old British India Army. When his narrator in "Imperial Governor" talks about the difficulties of governing hill tribes or supplying outlying garrisons-- Shipway had first-hand experience at doing the same thing.
Shipway presents the campaign to reduce Roman Britain to order after Boudicca's revolt through the eyes of a highly-ambitious professional soldier of the early-Imperial senatorial class, and the writing is cold, spare, and with touches of chill irony. There are no concessions to modern, Christianized morality. His Suetonius Paulinus is a thorough professional who has a job to do and is willing to sacrifice-- but never needlessly --men and ships and cities to restore Roman order. Shipway manages to discuss the technical details of Roman warfare and army administration without losing the reader's interest-- his account of the Anglesey crossing and battle is a delight. The story is gripping and powerful, the end suitably melancholy.
This is very much a book I recommend to any friends or students who want to read about Rome and Roman warfare, and it gets a full five stars from me here. Now if only some publisher will reprint the rest of Shipway's novels...
Superior in its accuracy and depth of story.......2007-04-26
Robert Graves' highly popular "I, Claudius" was first introduced to me by my father many years ago, and was in fact the book that first got me interested in Roman history. I found Imperial Governor almost by accident a couple of years ago. Unable to put it down until complete, I then loaned it to my father, who came to the same conclusion that I did: While I, Claudius set the standard for historical novels on Rome, Imperial Governor surpasses it. In fact, if any one work inspired me to start writing historical novels, it was this one. And I am not ashamed to admit that Shipway's writing style is superior to my own. Anyone who is a fan of my own series, "Soldier of Rome," needs to read Imperial Governor.
I agree with one reviewer that pointed out that this book is full of military jargin, though as a military man myself I found it an easy read. However, for those not familiar with the machinations of the Imperial Roman Army, I can understand the inherant confussion. Also, anyone looking to read a novel about Boudicca herself is going to be disappointed, as she only has a small cameo and no speaking lines. But then, the story is told as an autobiography of Governor Paulinus, who would not have had any real interaction with her to write about.
Of even more interest to me was Paulinus himself, a character you cannot help but be drawn to. I researched as much as I could to find what happened to him after his recall to Rome. He was elected Consul in 66, and in the Year of the Four Emperors fought on the side of Otho. He was pardoned by Vitellius, though nothing else is known about him, and it is assumed that he retured to private life after the rise of Vespasian.
Imperial Governor is not to be missed by anyone with an interested in Roman / British history. I find it regretable that it does not share the same popularity as the works of Robert Graves.
Excellent Novel.......2005-09-24
Set in Roman Britain in the time of Boudicca's revolt, Imperial Governor is a fantastic historical novel that will be gobbled up by any with in interest in Ancient Rome.
The novel follows Suetonius Paulinus in a first person narrative, throughout his governorship of the British province. The first person perspective here really works for the story as Shipway does an excellent job of keeping the story moving while not sacrificing historical accuracy.
Shipway's characterization of Suetonius is excellent and is what I most enjoyed about the novel. He is neither infallible nor completely unlikable. More importantly Shipway's Suetonius rings true to the time period. What I hate about many historical novels, especially those set in the pre-Christian ancient world (O.K. this novel is set A.D., but just), is that they often attach modern sensibilities and morality to their characters. You will not find that here. This is no apologia for Suetonius. He is ruthlessly pragmatic. He neither shies away from torturing nor killing by the thousands. Still, Shipway does not portray Suetonius as needlessly cruel or evil, and he does manage to give the reader reasons to sympathize, and even like him. A hefty accomplishment if you ask me.
The back of the book compares this novel to I, Claudius, a fairly just comparison. While the book is not quite on par with Robert Graves' masterpiece, it is just a step below. A great read. Highly recommended.
Thorough and fascinating.......2005-06-29
I will agree with a previous review (except for the number of stars, 5 instead of 2): This book covers a fascinating period in British history. "Unfortunately, the prose is dry as toast and the characters -- arguably the most important figures in British history -- remain ciphers."
Now this is what makes this book interesting. Mr Shipway's attention to detail and historical backround accuracy are second-to-none. Simply excellent historical fiction.
It basically describes the difficulty of managing a province during the Roman Empire, and the usual dilemnas fo the manager (colelcting data, assessing options, taking decisions, planning, assigning tasks, etc) are well described. The book could have been a bit more developped (the spying opeartions are mentioned repeatedly but without details)
If you are looking for romance, story-telling and well developed characters you can empathize with, do not bother. But if you an intelligent reading that shows you how the Roman bureaucracy worked, then this is a good book.
(Do not get me wrong, sometimes I like to empathize with characters).
One weakness though regarding navy operations and battle description: No way 5,000 Legionaries can charge 50,000+ Britons and rout them without being encircled. In the real battle, the Legion first withstood the onslaught and then steadily ran down their less armored and less disciplined opponent.
One final word: the main character is human and not a hero, he makes mistakes, learns from them (not always), fights back, wins sometimes not always. This is like real life, not fantasy.
I will investigate other books by this author.
Great Fiction.......2004-12-09
I could not put this book down. It was amazing.
Although, there could be more character development. The romance with Queen Cartimandra was shallow, almost cardboard. The military jargon was thick and required many references to a dictionary and handwritten notes in the back cover.
Despite these defects, this is easily the most exciting fiction set in the Roman era I have ever read. I was hit by the same flash of excitement I picked up the book and feeling of dread when I had to put it down as when I read Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire".
This book is not to be missed. I was amazed by how deftly the moral issues were ambiguously addressed. The ambiguousness of the author seemed to make them more real and forces the reader to interpret them in a more objective light.
Is it wrong to exterminate a people who had months earlier just tried to exterminate you? Can timidity, if in good faith, be treasonable? Of course the answers are clearly no, but Paulinus makes a helluva good argument to the countrary.
Book Description
The Lives of the Caesars include the biographies of Julius Caesar and the eleven subsequent emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitelius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian. Suetonius composed his material from a variety of sources, without much concern for their reliability. His biographies consist the ancestry and career of each emperor in turn; however, his interest is not so much analytical or historical, but anecdotal and salacious which gives rise to a lively and provocative succession of portraits. The account of Julius Caesar does not simply mention his crossing of the Rubicon and his assassination, but draws attention to his dark piercing eyes and attempts to conceal his baldness. The Live of Caligula presents a vivid picture of the emperor's grotesque appearance, his waywardness, and his insane cruelties. The format and style of Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars was to set the tone for biography throughout western literature - his work remains thoroughly readable and full of interest.
Download Description
The complete lives, in order.
Customer Reviews:
contemparanious depiction of public & private lives of 12 Caesars.......2007-01-10
Being written near the time of the events this book portrays the lives of the first 12 Caesars in the writing style of the period.This is not how history is written today;and it allows a bright light to be shone on both public & private lies of the Caesars.It feels as if Suetonious is speaking to the reader privately.It is a superb account of the time.
The ancient writer captivates the reader!.......2004-11-17
I have read many biographies of famous historical figures, written by modern scholars, but none had the immediacy, the thrilling emphasis to minor details and the power of words that Suetonius' work features. The Roman historian proves that he was a true child of the classical world, having the gift of telling his stories in a few but full of meaning sentences. I think that after reading Suetonius one has a powerful image of every emperor as a human being first and as a ruler second. Hats off to the ancient writers who are the top specialists to explain the inner secrets of their society and epoch!
On Ancient Gossip.......2002-04-30
When you need a break from memorizing the dates of the Punic Wars, are bored speculating over what kind of salt the Romans used to sow Carthaginian fields, have given up on finding Philippi on any modern map, and can't quite recall the names of the dramatis personae during the year of the three emperors, this book will re-stimulate your interest in history by gratifying the natural human desire to learn more about crime in high places.
Imagine, all the gravitas reeking Romans were up to treason, homicide, intrigue, incest, bestiality, gifting poison mushrooms and assorted produce, adultery, simple theft, complex theft, tax cheating, forgery, perjury, matricide, patricide, fratricide, suicide, sistercide, and murdering or marrying thier neices, and all sorts of stuff not normal entertainment at church family picnics nor encouraged at the office.
A question does arise - was Suetonius accurate or fair? I think not; he is a delightful scandalmonger who makes no pretense at being fair and his sources undoubtedly included talk show hosts from the Forum's late night hour. Tiberius is for example portrayed as a monster; but he seemed to be a talented administrator himself or had the sense to hire those who were. Claudius while making very poor choices in wives and prone to some silly enthusiasms was very prudent in his foreign policy, by-and-large avoiding killling foreign folks who didn't enlist for suicide.
Overall a great book; just take it with a pinch of Roman salt.
Book Description
Memoirs rather than history, lives rather than events; includes Lives of the Poets, Grammarians and Historians
Customer Reviews:
A great book doesn't gets older.......2007-07-01
I read this book, translated to the portuguese language, here in Brazil.Are you worried, about sexual scandals today?Oh!In Roman Empire sexual perversions were the rule.Homosexuality, incest,etc. in roman emperors is the subject of this book.This book was writen more than 1,700 years ago, but this book is so fun to read, as any excellent book writen today.This book again shows to everybody, that a great book doesn't gets older.
Average customer rating:
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Suetonius: Caligula (Latin Texts) (Latin Texts)
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ASIN: 1853996130
Release Date: 2002-09-01 |
Product Description
Nero's suicide in AD 68 was followed by a disastrous civil war that left the empire in a parlous state and saw the demise, in quick succession, of another three emperors (Galba, Otho and Vitellius). Normality returned with Vespasian and his sons, Titus and Domitian, who ruled from 69 to 96. They changed the face of Rome, with massive public works such as the Flavian amphitheatre (later called the Colosseum) and the palace-complex on the Palatine, which provided much-needed employment while at the same time enhancing the city s status as the capital of the Mediterranean. Suetonius provides the most detailed account of the new dynasty and its achievements. What he has to say about these three Flavians constitutes the best source we have for the period. This edition of the three "Lives" includes a new translation, a general introduction to Suetonius and a detailed commentary that concentrates on the social and political history behind each "Life."
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Suetonius, Vol. 1: The Lives of the Caesars--Julius. Augustus. Tiberius. Gaius. Caligula (Loeb Classical Library, No. 31)
Suetonius
Manufacturer: Loeb Classical Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0674995708 |
Book Description
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, 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. Both volumes were revised throughout in 1997-98, and a new Introduction added.
Customer Reviews:
Great resource!.......2001-05-28
This edition has the Latin text printed on the left side, with the corresponding English translation on the right. A splendid resource for Classical students or anyone wishing to see the original text as well as the English meaning.
Average customer rating:
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The Lives of the Caesars, II: Claudius. Nero. Galba, Otho, and Vitellius. Vespasian. Titus, Domitian. Lives of Illustrious Men: Grammarians and Rhetoricians. ... Passienus Crispus (Loeb Classical Library)
Suetonius , and
J. C. Rolfe
Manufacturer: Loeb Classical Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Classics
| General
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Medieval
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| Literature & Fiction
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Similar Items:
-
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-
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ASIN: 0674995651 |
Book Description
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, 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. Both volumes were revised throughout in 1997-98, and a new Introduction added.
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