The Twelve Caesars: Suetonius (Penguin Classics)

I read this many, many years ago and found it fascinating. My original copy fell apart and I recently bought a replacement and have been rereading it. The stories of the twelve caesars reveal the full range of strengths and weaknesses of mankind in a time that could often be brutal and are still as interesting today as when I first read the book. Adult themes throughout and bloody violence from time to time.

Suetonius' Twelve Caesars is a key narrative source for the period it covers and, unlike Tacitus, it has survived entire and is uninterrupted. Beginning with Caesar himself, in the mid first century BC, it ends in AD 96 with Domitian and covers the reigns of such emperors as Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero. Organised according to each of these twelve emperors' lives, it contains more or less self-contained if unequal chapters (long reigns are given more space). Thus the story progresses from the civil wars that surrounded Caesar's rise to power, the establishment of the principate under Augustus, and on to the more debauched reigns of their descendents in the early first century AD. It closes with the establishment of a new dynasty, the Flavians, represented by Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. The introduction appositely remarks that Suetonius was following, in this work, the classical format of eulogy or biography, rather than history, according to classical forms. As a result, each reign is organised topically, beginning with ancestry, going on to civic achievements, then military campaigns, then the given emperor's vices or crimes, and the manner of his death complete with warnings and omens. This means that a reader completely unacquainted with the period may find the overarching story hard to follow, and it is best to be armed with basic knowledge of it. At the same time, firstly, Suetonius does follow a loose chronological progression within each topic he addresses and within each life, and secondly his writing is really clear and easy to follow. Suetonius as historian was impressive, moreover: in addition to testimonies and oral sources, he examined written sources including letters written by the protagonists, e.g. Augustus, and official Roman records, e.g. the treasury's. This is exceptional, indeed to my knowledge unprecedented, for a classical writer. Though sometimes his sources appear to fail him, this is rare and his account is authoritative. Twelve Caesars, in addition to being easy to read, is an essential source on the early Roman Empire.

Although interesting, most of these biographies are almost entirely bereft of anything ennobling to the human spirit. But as studies of lust, greed, cruelty, cowardice and insanity they have few equals. The first vernacular translation of 1381 was French, and it is no surprise that Gilles de Rais, during his trial in 1440, cited the influence of Suetonius. This translation is by Robert Graves, author of 'I, Claudius' and 'Claudius the God'. Anyone who has read those books will already be familiar with many of Suetonius' anecdotes and descriptions of personal vice and virtue attributable to the emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. Reading the novels first is advantageous as Suetonius assumes his contemporary Roman readers are versed in history and Roman culture. The series continues up to Domitian and with the exception of Augustus and Vespasian the emperors are all painted as more or less vile characters. Although the format of each biography is roughly the same, the section on virtue is invariably shorter than the section on vice. Perhaps Suetonius, writing during the reign of Hadrian, the third of the Five Good Emperors, was intent on penning malicious slander against previous dynasties. More likely it illustrates the truth behind Acton's famous observation that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Graves' translation has been altered, reinserting Latin words instead of 1930s English equivalents for a more authentic read. A glossary of terms is supplied together with genealogical charts and maps. The introduction by J.B Rives contains the following essays: Suetonius' Life and Works The Twelve Caesars The Influence of Suetonius Reading Suetonius

Alot of the history of Romes Caesars taught today is based on Suetonius' accounts, this book pulls no punches in its storys of 12 men who held absolute power over much of the civilised world. Its telling of Augustus' rule ( in my opinion Romes greatest Caesar) is fascinating, it is of course very pleasing to have a contemporery account of imperial Rome and suetonius gives us a rich source of information, his writings include many anecdotes which are both funny and crude, so its not to everyones taste, however we are hard pressed, i think, to find a better volume on the 12 caesars of Rome. A right riveting read. The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics)

A good read from what was then extant papers, letters etc. from the twelve Caesars Seutonius wrote about. He also wrote with the safety of time between him and them as no doubt some of what he wrote about a couple of them, his opinions, would probably have warranted his execution. Many of the offices written about are explained in an index and the provinces and countries of that time are shown on maps. I found it to be a good, if slightly different type of, read. The order in which each Caesar was in power is correct, but the story of their individual lives isn't strictly chronological as Seutonius moves backward and forward in time as he writes.

A well versed a/c on life style of twelve emperors (Caesars) of Roman empire; be it accession; vice-virtue; superstition-omen; cruelty... etc; stated with needed citations and glossary of the then province. A further understanding on this regard can be elicited thru Ancient Rome written by Simon Baker. Go for it. Thanks to Amazon!

A wonderful book on the first Caesar

The book itself seems good but the font size and text formatting is horrible - no way to read relaxed. Since font is super small your eyes become exhausted quickly. Gonna return no way to read till the end

Arrived on time in great condition. Good value.

There were dents and a tear on the book cover