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5th out of 344 books
—
436 voters
The Twelve Caesars
As private secretary to the Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius gained access to the imperial archives & used them along with eye-witness accounts to produce one of the most colorful biographical works in history. The Twelve Caesars chronicles the public careers & private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over Rome, from the foundation of the empire under Julius C...more
Paperback, Revised Edition, 363 pages
Published
May 6th 2003
by Penguin Classics
(first published 121)
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While reading this biography of 'The Twelve Caesars', one word popped in my mind, that is, 'nobility' since all emperors in question were of course noble, feared and thus honored according to their own deeds. However, such nobility and deeds might intensify admiration or hatred due to each emperor himself. You can compare or assess each reign from your views acquired from reading unbelievably episodes of kindness or ruthlessness since they wielded absolute power within their families, colleages,...more
Julius Caesar the catamite of King of Bithnyia?? Augustus singeing off his leg hair with hot walnut shells!! Caligula's seductive maiden dance!! Oh my! Simply delicious!
Nov 17, 2010
Cassandra Silva
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-of-antiquity,
all-time-favorites
No words. Each and every member of that "family" and ahherm non family who acquired that infamous title ceasar is such a massive wrecking case of extreams that I can't even begin to fathom that these men are real. Let alone contemplate what citizens must of thought of them in their day. Really? If Suetonius is to be belived how many of these men would in our day be catergorized as legally insane? I literally about fell out of my chair this weekend when I read that Nero had the gates blocked duri...more
Feb 20, 2007
Luke Peterson
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
folks interested in compartmentalizing ancient roman history
The Twelve Caesars is a great resource for anyone looking to get a general understanding of Roman history from Julius Caesar to Domitian (50 B.C.E.-96 C.E.).
This particular version is translated by Michael Grant and introduced by Robert Graves, both of whom are easy to read and are pretty well-known and well-respected 20th-century popularizers of ancient history.
The writing of History, as a Roman professional pursuit, involved the use of imagination as much as factual research. As such, histori...more
This particular version is translated by Michael Grant and introduced by Robert Graves, both of whom are easy to read and are pretty well-known and well-respected 20th-century popularizers of ancient history.
The writing of History, as a Roman professional pursuit, involved the use of imagination as much as factual research. As such, histori...more
This book is pretty scandalous, and at times almost to gross to keep reading. It's what Robert Graves based his "I, Clavdivs" novels on, and frankly if you're looking for some good Roman atrociousness you're better off sticking with those. Seutonius has some excellent lyrical passages, particularly when emperors are fleeing for their lives from assassins and armies, but other times the writing is exceedingly casual and frequently devolves to simple lists of characteristics. He had another book,...more
Frankly, I'm an ex-History teacher, so I eat these kinds of books up for dessert. By modern standards of form an style this book is very stodgy in construction. But the images Suetonius paints of these twelve emporors is fascinating!
Seutonius was a shameless gossip, but he was thorough, and covered good ground, and gives a sort of horrifying contemporary view of what from my position looks like absolute madness. First of all, it was great to get the play by play of Julius Caesar's career, and how and why he maneuvered his way to the purple. The way Seutonius makes it out, Caesar had overseen some funny business from his time as consul, and was afraid to come back to Rome after governing a province because he thought his pol...more
Suetonius is like a gossipy old woman. Loved it!
Suetonius gives a warts-and-all portrait of Julius Caesar and the first Roman emperors. And what warts! This is apparently the only source for these guys as people. Everything we commonly know about them is here, down to ribald popular jokes. A portrait of the beating heart of fascism. No wonder our founders abhorred a standing army. Not exactly a felicitous read (I used Robert Graves's translation--the remnants of my high-school Latin wouldn't have got me through one sentence), but fascinating.
Back in 2005 I learned of The Twelve Caesars on Radio 4. It was part of "A Good Read" or some similar program. Anyway, I was intrigued by the sound of this book that has so influenced writers ever since it was published nearly two thousand years ago. I was not disappointed by the book and managed to read it in a course of an afternoon!
Suetonius's history of the early Roman empire covers Julius Caesar and the eleven emperors who followed: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho,...more
Suetonius's history of the early Roman empire covers Julius Caesar and the eleven emperors who followed: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho,...more
"My dear Tiberius, you must not give way to youthful emotion, or take it to heart if anyone speaks ill of me; let us be satisfied if we can make people stop short at unkind words,"Chapter 2, pg. 76.
"The fox changes his skin but not his habits"
Like a great documentary thriller Suetonius's novel is exceptional in that his documentation of the fantastical is rooted in a foundation of reality. As the notable historian of the Roman Empire, Suetonius perfected the historical novel. The lives of the Tw...more
"The fox changes his skin but not his habits"
Like a great documentary thriller Suetonius's novel is exceptional in that his documentation of the fantastical is rooted in a foundation of reality. As the notable historian of the Roman Empire, Suetonius perfected the historical novel. The lives of the Tw...more
If you're interested in Roman times and learning more about some of the most famous emperors of all time (Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, and Caligula) this is a great place to start. The book is very readable, entertaining, and at times, shocking. Almost every "Caesar" discussed has their good and bad sides discussed and while I'm not sure how reliable the accounts were (the section on Nero seemed particularly suspect and his coverage of Titus was incredibly positive since he was a patron of sor...more
Reading this book makes me kind of thankful that the sociopaths who we choose to govern us are relatively harmless men with only strange dreams of imperialism and desires for fame, riches, and adulation. Sure we have a Vice President who shot a friend in the face and who brazenly admits to authorizing acts that make him a war criminal, and yes there are Greek bastards who have made a living off of sanctioning genocide for their own twisted ends, and this is just naming two high points in the Hal...more
Like any book that was written nearly 2,000 years ago in a different language, “Twelve Caesars” reads a bit clunky to my eyes, but that does not detract from the value.
The historical facts are fascinating (at least to me). However, the real entertainment of the book comes from Suetonius’s often gossip-and-scandal style. Suetonius would have fit in as a journalist at any modern celebrity magazine. He leaves no sexual dalliance, gruesome anecdote, or unusual character trait unmentioned. Some of th...more
The historical facts are fascinating (at least to me). However, the real entertainment of the book comes from Suetonius’s often gossip-and-scandal style. Suetonius would have fit in as a journalist at any modern celebrity magazine. He leaves no sexual dalliance, gruesome anecdote, or unusual character trait unmentioned. Some of th...more
This material is being reviewed for the common core requirement.
Suetonius was a ancient Roman historian who researched and compiled biographies on the first twelve Roman Caesars (starting with Julius), which gives us the book The Twelve Caesars. He used multiple documents and eye witness accounts to provide fairly detailed (and often very intimate) information on each of the Caesars. Although, some Caesars are going to be covered in more detail than others, due to the shortness of their various...more
Suetonius was a ancient Roman historian who researched and compiled biographies on the first twelve Roman Caesars (starting with Julius), which gives us the book The Twelve Caesars. He used multiple documents and eye witness accounts to provide fairly detailed (and often very intimate) information on each of the Caesars. Although, some Caesars are going to be covered in more detail than others, due to the shortness of their various...more
is a collection of the biographies of the twelve emperors of Ancient Greece from Julius Caesar to Domitian.
I found out that not all of emperors are great leaders. One of them is Caligula, a mentally deranged man. What he did is unbelievable. If he does not like his constituent is doing he want that person to suffer like being burned or tortured. He even engage in same sex relationship which is really shocking. I never thought homosexuality existed then already. He was an ugly man that he ordered...more
I found out that not all of emperors are great leaders. One of them is Caligula, a mentally deranged man. What he did is unbelievable. If he does not like his constituent is doing he want that person to suffer like being burned or tortured. He even engage in same sex relationship which is really shocking. I never thought homosexuality existed then already. He was an ugly man that he ordered...more
I really enjoyed this book, although reading it is a double edged sword.
Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it to any of my friends.
Reading it is an exercise in revelation of how the world was 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. The fact that I was educated is the good part. The fact that much of that revelation was disgusting and vile is the kicker which sours it.
It gives a horrific insight into the depths of depravity which humans can sink to. For instance, it relates the story of on...more
Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it to any of my friends.
Reading it is an exercise in revelation of how the world was 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. The fact that I was educated is the good part. The fact that much of that revelation was disgusting and vile is the kicker which sours it.
It gives a horrific insight into the depths of depravity which humans can sink to. For instance, it relates the story of on...more
Jan 05, 2013
Eduardo Pereira
added it
O período clássico romano, tão associado a herança racional grega, se visto sob a ótica dos césares, tinha muito pouco de sano. Intriga, cobiça, superstição e fatalismos davam a tônica, muito mais do que o bom senso, excetuado o talento militar do romano. Os romanos sempre viram a guerra como um jogo divertido, dada a predisposição natural dessa cultura para o embate e o domínio. Li pela Martins Fontes uma compilação (Historiadores latinos) da qual o livro do Suetônio é parte. Mais precisamente...more
Did you know that the Emperor Augustus had a collection of dinosaur bones? Or that one of the many perversities Caligula exhibited was a liking for bathing in hot oils? Or that Nero once had a man killed simply because he looked like a cross schoolmaster?
These titbits and many others are detailed in this highly entertaining and amusing volume. I’d thought that a history (and a fairly contemporary one at that) of such great men would have detailed the various great exploits of their lives, but cl...more
These titbits and many others are detailed in this highly entertaining and amusing volume. I’d thought that a history (and a fairly contemporary one at that) of such great men would have detailed the various great exploits of their lives, but cl...more
One of those classics that is a genuine, even salacious pleasure to read, and the historical basis for Robert Graves's "I, Claudius", "The Twelve Caesars" covers the first twelve emperors of Ancient Rome (Including Julius Caesar, though Augustus was the first officially); the Julio-Claudians through Nero, his very brief successors Galba,Otho and Vitellius (in the tumultuous 'year of three Emperors', A.D. 69), and finally the Flavians Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Secretary to Hadrian, Suetoniu...more
This is in my Top 10 books. I love it so much, i think i have read it 3 times (no joke). I took this book with me on my travels in Rome and I bored Matt with my constant readings whilst we were visiting all of the historic sites. I have a huge facination with Roman History, so I do appreciate that most people will find this utterly boring, but i love it, love it, love it, love it.
A good, gossipy dish on the life of the Caesars, from Julius Caesar himself to Domitian. Suetonius covers the range of their lives, from birth to death, public works and private debaucheries--even height, diet and temperament.
The results are surprisingly personal, for persons often viewed as iconic. The decadence of absolute power is amply captured, as many of the Caesars embrace poisoning, incest and torture. The faults of imperial Rome are laid open as well: the cruelty of conquest and the gl...more
The results are surprisingly personal, for persons often viewed as iconic. The decadence of absolute power is amply captured, as many of the Caesars embrace poisoning, incest and torture. The faults of imperial Rome are laid open as well: the cruelty of conquest and the gl...more
Don't judge this book by its cover.
This is NOT dry reading.
This is NOT a boring fact by fact historical account.
The Twelve Caesars is probably the funniest and most intriguing book of antiquity.
At times hysterically snarky, the account stems more from hearsay and gossip than history, though there is a factual basis to much of the text. Suetonius seems to have sorted through facts, rumors, and legends concerning the Caesars and picked out the most shocking, the most absurd, and the most damning....more
This is NOT dry reading.
This is NOT a boring fact by fact historical account.
The Twelve Caesars is probably the funniest and most intriguing book of antiquity.
At times hysterically snarky, the account stems more from hearsay and gossip than history, though there is a factual basis to much of the text. Suetonius seems to have sorted through facts, rumors, and legends concerning the Caesars and picked out the most shocking, the most absurd, and the most damning....more
Complain all you want about our current leaders, but their flaws are chicken feed compared to those of the power-crazed, toga-clad rulers of ancient Rome. For proof, we have this series of short biographies of the Roman emperors, written by someone who was actually there, the Roman scholar Suetonius.
As I read, I would sometimes begin to cut a given ruler some slack, deciding that –- at least compared to the others –- he wasn’t so bad. And then I’d learn that he tortured and executed some unfortu...more
As I read, I would sometimes begin to cut a given ruler some slack, deciding that –- at least compared to the others –- he wasn’t so bad. And then I’d learn that he tortured and executed some unfortu...more
Holy smokes! Each Caesar had strengths and weaknesses, and different challenges in their short or long lives. But one thing the reader understands (among others) is that this is an alien culture. We can learn from Roman history, but are not really brothers.
It was a good, mini-biography of Roman emperors. But, man, was it dry! I don't know if anyone has any recommendations on roman history that may be a little lighter reading, but feel free to contact me. I wish the Grant would have worked a little harder in immersing the reader into the ancient era by describing geography, culture, and the common citizen. I understand that he has to work with Suetonius' observations, but this book makes the reader push him/herself through the emperors. This review...more
I thought this book was a great read. I enjoyed the translation by Robert Graves. He kept the text readable while still allowing for the voice of the original author to be heard. I have read Graves' other works, I, Claudius and Claudius the God and it is evident that Graves tries to keep his writing style out of The Twelve Caesars.
The novel itself was very interesting. The lives of these men were very colorful and engrossing. Many modern day celebrities would blush when comparing their attempts...more
The novel itself was very interesting. The lives of these men were very colorful and engrossing. Many modern day celebrities would blush when comparing their attempts...more
A glorified gossip columnist of his day, Suetonius writes a compelling account of the first 12 emperors of Rome, beginning with Julius Caesar (not a true emperor, but a caesar). The modern day equivalent would be if someone were to write a book on the first 12 Presidents of the United States primarily about their weaknesses and misbehaving.
I enjoy Robert Graves's translation too - Robert Graves has a flair for drama and making translated stories more exciting (lots of exclamation points).
I enj...more
I enjoy Robert Graves's translation too - Robert Graves has a flair for drama and making translated stories more exciting (lots of exclamation points).
I enj...more
An amusing and amazingly candid collection of anecdote and gossip concerning the most powerful people of the ancient world, you will be surprised at the number of times you laugh reading this (seriously, was every Julio-Claudian emperor afraid of thunder and lightning?). Perhaps, however, you will not, since you will remember that the superego brings with it impossible demands as well as, necessarily, insane laughter at your failure to live up to those demands. As Zizek points out, "Stalinism me...more
It interested me that even back in the time of the Romans, there was someone writting about the skeletons in the closet and the dirt on those in power. The book gives an history on twelve of the most powerful men in history of the Roman empire and it is interesting to read about their interwoven histories, liniages, and personalities.
I have read that the author may have had a political ax to grind with several of these men, and tended to only write about the bad aspects of each Caesar and may ha...more
I have read that the author may have had a political ax to grind with several of these men, and tended to only write about the bad aspects of each Caesar and may ha...more
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Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius (ca. 69/75 – after 130), was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era. His most important surviving work is a set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar until Domitian, entitled De Vita Caesarum. Other works by Suetonius concern the daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and...more
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“Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.”
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