Suetonius

The Twelve Caesars (eBook, ePUB)

Übersetzer: Rolfe, J. C.

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "The Twelve Caesars," Suetonius presents a vivid and engaging biographical account of the first twelve emperors of Rome, spanning from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Written in the late first century AD, Suetonius employs a succinct, anecdotal style that intertwines historical facts with captivating narratives, which not only serve to entertain but also to inform about the personal traits, public policies, and political machinations of these rulers. This work stands as an essential primary source for understanding the complexities of Roman political life, illustrating the interplay between power and personality in a rapidly evolving empire. Suetonius, a Roman historian and biographer, drew upon his experiences as an official in the imperial court to provide a unique insider's perspective. His education and connections allowed him access to valuable sources, including autobiographical writings and personal testimonies, which enriched his analyses. Suetonius's method reflects a broader literary context in which biography was seen as a window into both individual character and statecraft, influencing generations of historians and biographers to follow. This compelling work is recommended for students of Roman history, literary enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the nuances of power dynamics. Suetonius's ability to blend the personal and the political makes "The Twelve Caesars" not only a history book but also a timeless exploration of the human condition, offering insights that remain relevant today.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Copycat
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. September 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9788028313876
• Artikelnr.: 69806910

Autorenporträt

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (c. 69 - after 122 AD), was a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman Empire. He was probably born about 69 AD, a date deduced from his remarks describing himself as a "young man" twenty years after Nero's death. His place of birth is disputed, but most scholars place it in Hippo Regius, a small north African town in Numidia, in modern-day Algeria. It is certain that Suetonius came from a family of moderate social position, that his father, Suetonius Laetus, was a tribune belonging to the equestrian order (tribunus angusticlavius) in the Legio XIII Gemina, and that Suetonius was educated when schools of rhetoric flourished in Rome. Suetonius was a close friend of senator and letter-writer Pliny the Younger. Pliny describes him as "quiet and studious, a man dedicated to writing." 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 childless. Through Pliny, Suetonius came into favour with Trajan and Hadrian. Suetonius may have served on Pliny's staff when Pliny was Proconsul of Bithynia and Pontus (northern Asia Minor) between 110 and 112. Under Trajan he served as secretary of studies (precise functions are uncertain) and director of Imperial archives. Under Hadrian, he became the Emperor's secretary. But Hadrian later dismissed Suetonius for the latter's alleged affair with the empress Sabina. His most important surviving work is a set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar to Domitian, entitled De Vita Caesarum. Other works by Suetonius concern the daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and the lives of famous writers, including poets, historians, and grammarians. A few of these books have partially survived, but many have been lost.