Suetonius

From Wikipedia

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (75 AD – 160 AD), commonly known simply as Suetonius, was a Roman writer. For other uses, see number 75. ... For other uses, see number 160. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  1290 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1... The term writer can apply to anyone who creates a written work, but the word more usually designates those who write creatively or professionally, or those who have written in many different forms. ...

Suetonius was an administrator working as a secretary to the emperor Hadrian, prior to his sacking by Hadrian for allegedly showing disrespect to the Empress Sabina. He is remembered chiefly as the author of "The Lives of the First Twelve Caesars" (De vita Caesarum), a biography of Roman leaders, which has been the source for many works on Roman history, and he is generally considered one of the most impartial historians of ancient times. Emperor Hadrian Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus (January 24, 76-July 10, 138), known as Hadrian in English, was Roman emperor from 117-138, and a member of the gens Aelia. ... American Historical Association official website History Forums - History is Happening -Discuss all historical topics, as well as current events, in an academic setting. ... A historian is a person who studies history. ...

This does not mean, however, that he did not have his favorites such as Caesar Augustus, whom he preferred vastly over such emperors as Nero and Gaius Caligula. Suetonius was also rather fond of alleged lewd details from the lives of those about whom he wrote. Many of these episodes, often sexual in nature, are likely derived from rumors going about at the time of Suetonius or in the records available to him in his erstwhile position in the administration of Hadrian, thus potentially representing 2nd century attitudes regarding prior emperors and the imperial office. Bust of Augustus Caesar Caesar Augustus (Latin: IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS)¹ (23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), known earlier in his life as Gaius Octavius or Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, was the first Roman Emperor and is traditionally considered the greatest. ... Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (December 15, 37–June 9, 68), born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called (50–54) Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, was the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. ... Gaius Caesar Germanicus Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus (August 31, 12 – January 24, 41), most commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and third member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from AD 37 to 41. ... (1st century - 2nd century - 3rd century - other centuries) Events Roman Empire governed by the Five Good Emperors (96–180) – Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius. ...

In very few cases did Suetonius cite his sources; one such example is when he was accentuating the fact that Caesar Augustus's detractors were often his enemies, such as Mark Antony, who is cited as a dubious source for some negative rumors regarding Caesar Augustus in the fourth chapter of Suetonius's biography thereof. The sheer number of direct quotes from Caesar Augustus' personal correspondence and the fact that such citing does not appear in subsequent chapters would suggest that his redundancy from the court of Hadrian occurred after his life of Augustus was completed. Bust of Augustus Caesar Caesar Augustus (Latin: IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS)¹ (23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), known earlier in his life as Gaius Octavius or Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, was the first Roman Emperor and is traditionally considered the greatest. ... Bust of Mark Antony Marcus Antonius (Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N¹) (ca. ...

Suetonius made one reference to "Chrestus", which may refer to "Christ". See Suetonius on Jesus. Christ is the English representation of the Greek word Χριστός (transliterated as Khristós), which means anointed. ... Writing circa 120, Suetonius made one statement that may refer to Christ: [ As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [ Claudius ] expelled them from Rome. ...

Other works

• De Illustribus Grammaticis ("Lives Of The Grammarians")
• De Claris Rhetoribus ("Lives Of The Rhetoricians")
• De Viribus Illustris
• Lives Of The Poets
• Lives of Famous Whores

External links

• The Lives of the Twelve Caesars at LacusCurtius (Latin original, English translation)
• The Lives of the Twelve Caesars at Project Gutenberg (English translation - includes Lives Of The Grammarians, Rhetoricians, And Poets)
• Suetonius and the reign of Tiberius: a comparison with other sources
• Suetonius' Twelve Caesars