Suetonius the Biographer: Studies in Roman Lives

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus was a Roman historian who lived during the early Roman Empire. He is best known for his work The Twelve Caesars, a collection of biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors. Suetonius's work is a valuable source of information on Roman history and culture. It provides insights into the lives of the emperors, their personalities, and their rule. Suetonius's work is also a valuable source of information on Roman customs and beliefs.

Suetonius the Biographer: Studies in Roman Lives

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Early life and career

Suetonius was born in Rome in the year 69 CE. He was the son of Suetonius Laetus, a Roman military tribune. Suetonius received a good education and studied rhetoric and history. He began his career as a lawyer, but he soon abandoned law for a career in history.

In 98 CE, Suetonius was appointed to the post of secretary to the emperor Trajan. He held this post for many years and accompanied Trajan on his campaigns in Dacia and Parthia. Suetonius was a close confidant of Trajan and had access to the emperor's private papers. This gave him valuable material for his later work on the Roman emperors.

The Twelve Caesars

Suetonius's most famous work is The Twelve Caesars. This work is a collection of biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Suetonius's biographies are based on a wide range of sources, including official documents, private letters, and personal interviews. He also drew on his own observations of the emperors and their courts.

The Twelve Caesars is a rich source of information on Roman history and culture. It provides insights into the lives of the emperors, their personalities, and their rule. Suetonius's work is also a valuable source of information on Roman customs and beliefs.

Later life and work

After the death of Trajan in 117 CE, Suetonius continued to work as a historian. He wrote a number of other works, including a history of the Roman emperors from Nerva to Hadrian, a biography of the poet Juvenal, and a collection of anecdotes about famous Romans.

Suetonius died in Rome in the year 122 CE. He was a prolific writer and his work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of Roman history and culture.

Legacy

Suetonius is considered one of the most important historians of the Roman Empire. His work is a valuable source of information on Roman history and culture. It provides insights into the lives of the emperors, their personalities, and their rule. Suetonius's work is also a valuable source of information on Roman customs and beliefs.

Suetonius's work has been translated into many languages and has been widely read for centuries. It has been used by historians, biographers, and other writers as a source of information on Roman history and culture. Suetonius's work is still considered a valuable source of information today and is used by scholars and students alike.

Suetonius the Biographer: Studies in Roman Lives

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11934 KB
Print length	:	368 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE