Lucius left a son gnaeus, who was without question the best of the family. From the marriage of julia to agrippa, augustus had three grandsons, gaius caesar, lucius caesar, and agrippa postumus, and two granddaughters julia the younger, and agrippina the elder. She had borne him a daughter, claudia augusta, who died in infancy. The main characters of this history, classics story are nero, caligula. The twelve ceasars of suetonius born ad 69, covering the roman rulers from julius caesar to domitian, remains one of the richest and most fascinating of all latin histories. Suetonius also makes mention of neros persecution in 16. The twelve caesars by gaius suetonius tranquillus, translated by robert graves 1965 the twelve caesars by gaius suetonius tranquillus translated by robert graves. Donna hurley has done a sterling job in providing us with both an introduction to suetonius and a translation of the caesars that we can confidently recommend to students. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. We find many anecdotes, much gossip of the imperial court, and various details of character and personal appearance. Some expressed the view that even the memory of the caesars should be erased and their temples obliterated. Suetonius has 99 books on goodreads with 42654 ratings. The lives of the twelve caesars wikisource, the free online library.
The lives of the twelve caesars at project gutenberg english translation of alexander thomson, m. The lives of the twelve caesars, free pdf, ebook global grey. If youre reading purely for historical quality, i suggest livy or tacitus. I cannot imagine living in those times, under their rule.
The work, written in ad 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, was the most popular work of suetonius, at that time hadrians personal secretary, and is the largest among his surviving writings. The twelve caesars by suetonius, 1957 online research. A masterpiece of observation, anecdote and detailed physical description, the twelve caesars presents us with a gallery of vividly drawnand all too humanindividuals. Lives of the twelve caesars audiobook by suetonius.
Jan 21, 2016 below is a selection of extracts from suetonius twelve caesars. Though not one of caesars assassins, he was implicated in the conspiracy and condemned to death under the pedian law in 43bc. Suetonius the twelve caesars followed an established convention of the short biographical essay, which lent itself to convivial sharing before an audience but could also be used to explore important themes. Punishment by nero was inflicted on the christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition. The lives of the twelve caesars at project gutenberg english translation including the lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets works by or about suetonius at. But apart from fragments of his illustrious writers, which include short biographies of virgil, horace, and lucan, the only extant book is the twelve caesars, the most fascinating and richest of all latin histories. This is a fascinating, detailed insight into the lives and behaviors of the emperors, the twelve caesars. His translation, however, was very diffuse, and retained most of the.
He therefore fled to join brutus and cassius, his close relatives. The lives of the twelve caesars by suetonius audio book. The twelve caesars 9780140455168 by suetonius and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Books by suetonius sorted by popularity project gutenberg. The twelve caesars by suetonius penguin books australia. An essential primary source on roman history and a fascinating achievement of scholarship covering a critical period in the empire as private secretary to the emperor hadrian, the scholar suetonius had access to the imperial archives and used them along with eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in. The twelve caesars by suetonius translated by robert graves. For in the most frequented part of the town, there was, not long since, a street named the octavian. History of the twelve caesars by suetonius librarything. The lives of the twelve caesars at lacuscurtius latin and translation from loeb classical library 1914 by john carew rolfe suetonius works at latin library in latin works by suetonius at project gutenberg. The twelve caesars translated by robert graves by gaius suetonius tranquillus and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I do not read latin, so i read the updated robert graves translation.
I found the two shown below at barnes and nobles and upon flipping to the reading, realized they are translated slightly different. Gaius suetonius tranquillus, the lives of the twelve caesars virtual entertainment, 20 series. About the life of the caesars commonly known as the twelve caesars, is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire written by gaius suetonius. The twelve caesars by suetonius translated by robert graves and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The twelve caesars by suetonius gives biographical sketches of the men who ruled the western world for a century and a half, from the end of the republic to the death of domitian. The personalities of the twelve caesars of ancient rome julius caesar and the first eleven roman emperors who followed him have profoundly impressed themselves upon the world. It was dedicated to a friend, the praetorian prefect gaius septicius clarus. The lives of the twelve caesars at lacuscurtius latin and translation from loeb classical library 1914 by john carew rolfe. Dec 31, 2002 as private secretary to the emperor hadrian, suetonius gained access to the imperial archives and used them along with carefully gathered eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in history. The early history of rome, books iv penguin classics bks. The twelve caesars is a gripping account of the lives of men who shaped the early roman empire, and a catalog of the corrupting influence of power on rome and its leaders. The lives of the twelve caesars suetonius full view 1855. The twelve caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over rome, from the foundation of the empire under julius caesar and augustus, to the decline into depravity and civil war under nero and the recovery that came with his successors. Aug 28, 20 suetonius twelve caesars is a key narrative source for the period it covers and, unlike tacitus, it has survived entire and is uninterrupted.
Nero doted on poppeia, whom he married twelve days after divorcing octavia, yet he caused her death by kicking her when she was pregnant and ill, because she complained of his coming home late from the races. In this book you can learn about the early empire, the laws and traditions if thats what you want. The university of adelaide library is proud to have contributed to the early movement of free ebooks and to have witnessed their popularity as they grew to become a regular fixture in study, research, and leisure. The loeb classical library edition of suetonius is in two volumes. This penguin classic of the twelve caesars by suetonius is the perfect place to start for anybody interested in ancient grecoroman history and culture. For amusing antecdotes that read more like a tabloid, the twelve caesars is worth checking out. That the family of the octavii was of the first distinction in velitrae, 1 is rendered evident by many circumstances. About the life of the caesars, commonly known as the twelve caesars, is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the. Pdf the twelve caesars book by suetonius free download. Suetonius has a reputation for scandalous writing, the kind of writing seen in the more outlandish celebrity coverage. The twelve caesars, an illustrated edition suetonius tranquillus, c, and graves, robert translated by, and grant, michael revised by published by penguin books 1982. Suetonius s account of neros death is justly famous. During the book on nero, suetonius does mention christians see historicity of jesus. Lvii his physical skills and powers of endurance book one.
The lives of the twelve caesars, complete by suetonius. Notably, unlike tacitus, suetonius does not associate this punishment with the fire that swept rome. All the lives of the caesars by suetonius are now online at the internet history sourcebooks project. Lives of the caesars by suetonius the greatest books. 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. Suetonius tranquillus, the lives of the twelve caesars, to which are added his lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets. Lives of the caesars, volume i loeb classical library.
Shipped from uk, please allow 10 to 21 business days for arrival. The plan adopted by suetonius in his lives of the twelve caesars, led him to be more. The lives of the twelve caesars at lacuscurtius latin original, english translation suetonius works at latin library latin works by suetonius at project gutenberg. Oct 25, 2007 buy the twelve caesars penguin classics rev.
He chronicled the extraordinary careers of julius, augustus, tiberius, caligula, claudius, nero, vespasian, and domitian and. The lives of the twelve caesars online library of liberty. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. Free download or read online the twelve caesars pdf epub book. I could not put the book down, and yet it is upsetting on another level because the brutality and depravity with which they reined was incredible. On the life of the caesars commonly known as the twelve caesars, is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire written by gaius suetonius tranquillus. This penguin classics edition is translated from the latin by robert graves, author of i, claudius, revised with an introduction and notes by james b. Septicius clarus, prefect of the praetorian guard, his lives of the caesars.
Lives of the caesars by suetonius e vita caesarum latin, direct translation. The dramatic lives of the emperors of rome by dennison, matthew and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. To which are added, his lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets. Buy the twelve caesars by suetonius with free delivery. The twelve caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over rome, from the foundation of the. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 363 pages and is available in paperback format. The first edition of the novel was published in 119, and was written by suetonius. Suetonius gathered much of his information from eyewitnesses, checking his facts carefully and quoting conflicting evidence without bias. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the twelve caesars annotated. There was no family relationship which nero did not brutally violate. I was wondering if there was a preferred translation of the works of suetonius pertaining to the caesars. Nov 10, 2004 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The lives of the twelve caesars full audiobook youtube. I wanted the penguin graves translation, which is marvelous and was left on a train.
Not only is this a most engaging translation by robert graves, author of i claudius, but there is a short forward by classics scholar, michael grant. The work was written in 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, while. It was noted too, and there was widespread comment to this effect, that all the caesars named gaius had died by the sword, beginning with caesar strabo who was killed in the days of cinna. Suetonius s most popular book is the twelve caesars.
It breaks the work up into individual chapters, then presents each chapter first in latin, then in english. The biographies are not wholly flattering nor are events told in chronological sequence but they reveal some candid details of romes first citizens. Beginning with caesar himself, in the mid first century bc, it ends in ad 96 with domitian and covers the reigns of. Description the twelve caesars in a new prose translation table of contents book i julius caesar book ii augustus book iii tiberius book iv gaius caligula book v claudius book vi nero book vii galba, otho, vitellius book viii vespasian, titus, domitian. Her introduction summarizes a complex topic succinctly and is informative without being overwhelming, set at an ideal level for the student and intelligent enthusiast. This edition, from the library of lion feuchtwanger, was translated into english by philemon holland, an english schoolmaster and physician, who translated a. Not only is this a most engaging translation by robert graves, author of i claudius, but there is a. In donna leons brunetti series, the commissario often reads the twelve caesars, and i thought it was about time i read the book. The work, probably written around 121ad in the reign of hadrian, therefore. They formed the theme of the great roman biographer suetonius, who had much to say about their sexual and other aberrations, which have been the. The twelve caesars by suetonius by suetonius nook book. The twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first eleven emperors of the roman empire. Mar 22, 2020 this penguin classic of the twelve caesars by suetonius is the perfect place to start for anybody interested in ancient grecoroman history and culture. As private secretary to the emperor hadrian, suetonius gained access to the imperial archives and used them along with carefully gathered eyewitness accounts to produce one of the most colourful biographical works in history.
The lives of the twelve caesars by gaius suetonius. Rives has sensitively updated robert gravess now classic translation, reinstating latin terms and updating vocabulary while retaining the liveliness of the original. The lives of the twelve caesars, to which are added, his lives of the grammarians, rhetoricians, and poets. The twelve caesars julius caesar, augustus, tiberius, caligula, claudius, nero, galba, otho, vitellius, vespasian, titus, and domitiancreated an empire which dominated the then known world and influenced it for a millennium. The work was written in 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, while suetonius. The twelve caesars project gutenberg selfpublishing. Suetonius twelve caesars is a key narrative source for the period it covers and, unlike tacitus, it has survived entire and is uninterrupted. Claudius the god translation alone make up half the book, the division of each life into public civil. Each of suetonius biographies follow the similar pattern in which the individuals heritage, politicalmilitary career, private lives, personal habits, and. The twelve caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over rome. Gaius suetonius tranquillus, commonly known as suetonius ca. Suetoniuss most popular book is the twelve caesars. We are very grateful to you all for your patronage and support over the years. Xxxviii his gifts to the soldiers and people book one.
The twelve caesars, often titled lives of the caesars in english, is a collection of 12 biographies covering julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire in historical order. He married c5bc julia the younger to lucius aemilius paulus, the censors son. The twelve caesars annotated kindle edition by suetonius. Suetonius wrote his lives of the twelve caesars in the reign of vespasian around 70ad. On julius caesar on the day before his murder he had dined at marcus lepidus house, where the topic discussed happened to be the best sort of death and let it come swiftly and unexpectedly, cried caesar. Gaius suetonius tranquillus c75 c160 ad the twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire. Pdf suetonius the twelve caesars pdf download read. Jan 21, 2008 an essential primary source on roman history, suetonius the twelve caesars is a fascinating achievement of scholarship covering a critical period in the empire.
An able biographer, suetonius demonstrates his literary competence by authoring a text that both casual readers will find entertaining or students will find enlightening. The work was written in 121 during the reign of the emperor hadrian, while suetonius was hadrians personal secretary. It was written by gaius suetonius tranquillus, commonly referred to as suetonius, in 121. The lives of the twelve caesars at lacuscurtius latin original, english translation suetonius works at latin library latin works by suetonius at project. Librivox recording of the lives of the twelve caesars by gaius suetonius tranquillus, translated by alexander thomson, m. About the life of the caesars commonly known as the twelve caesars, is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire written by gaius suetonius tranquillus. The lives of the twelve caesars suetonius full view 1893. The twelve caesars is a set of twelve biographies of julius caesar and the first 11 emperors of the roman empire. The historie of twelve caesars, emperours of rome usc libraries. Suetonius, author of history of the twelve caesars, on librarything.
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