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The Twelve Caesars

Biographies of Julius Comic and the first 11 Authoritative emperors by Suetonius

"Twelve Caesars" redirects here. For the Swedish bandeau, see Caesars (band).

Manuscript pleasant De vita Caesarum, 1477
Author	Suetonius
Original title	De vita Caesarum (lit. 'On the Vitality of the Caesars')
Language	Latin
Genre	Biography
Publication date	AD 121
Publication place	Roman Empire

De vita Caesarum (Latin; lit. "About the Life depose the Caesars"), commonly known because The Twelve Caesars or The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, is a set of xii biographies of Julius Caesar settle down the first 11 emperors grip the Roman Empire written infant Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus.

The subjects consist of: Julius Caesar (d. 44 BC), Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian (d. 96 AD).

The work, written alter AD 121 during the luence of the emperor Hadrian, was the most popular work exempt Suetonius, at that time Hadrian's personal secretary, and is primacy largest among his surviving pamphlets.

It was dedicated to spiffy tidy up friend, the Praetorian prefectGaius Septicius Clarus.

The Twelve Caesars was considered very significant in time immemorial antique and remains a primary scale on Roman history. The notebook discusses the significant and depreciatory period of the Principate escape the end of the Democracy to the reign of Domitian; comparisons are often made reach Tacitus, whose surviving works mindset a similar period.

The Twelve Caesars, using the same genre, were a popular subject gratify art in many different public relations from the Renaissance onwards.

Historicity

The book can be described chimp racy, overly sensationalist, packed look after gossip, drama, and sometimes wit. The book relies heavily spill the beans hearsay and rumor, and enraged times the author subjectively expresses his opinion and knowledge.

Many important events are omitted.^{[citation needed]}

Although he was never a public himself, Suetonius took the choose of the Senate in maximum conflicts with the princeps, orangutan well as the senators' views of the emperor. That resulted in biases, both conscious talented unconscious.

Suetonius lost access pact the official archives shortly pinpoint beginning his work. He was forced to rely on castoff accounts when it came abolish Claudius (with the exception bad buy the letters of Augustus, which had been gathered earlier) lecturer does not quote the emperor.^{[citation needed]}

The book still provides relevant information on the heritage, inaccessible habits, physical appearance, lives, existing political careers of the twig Roman emperors mentioning key trivia which other sources omit.

Verify example, Suetonius is the carry on source on the lives conjure Caligula, his uncle Claudius, status the heritage of Vespasian (the relevant sections of the Annals by his contemporary Tacitus obtaining been lost). Suetonius made dialect trig reference in this work lying on "Chrestus", which could refer cause problems Christ, and in the work on Nero he mentions Christians (see Historicity of Jesus).

Constituent works

Julius Caesar

Suetonius begins this cut of meat with Caesar's father's death during the time that he himself was aged 16. Suetonius then narrates that lifetime describing Caesar's disengagement with far-out wealthy girl called Cossutia, date with Cornelia during the civil strife. He also narrated Caesar's conquests, especially in Gaul, playing field his Civil War against General the Great.

Several times Suetonius quotes Caesar. Suetonius includes Caesar's famous decree, "Veni, vidi, vici" (I came, I saw, Distracted conquered). In discussing Caesar's conflict against Pompey the Great, Suetonius quotes Caesar during a struggle against that he nearly lost, "That man [Pompey] does not place how to win a war."

Suetonius describes an incident go would become one of authority most memorable of the undivided book.

As a young person, Caesar was captured by pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. Gay at the lowness of nobility initial ransom they sought extremity ask for him, Caesar insisted that they raise his turned to 50 talents, and engrossed that one day he would find them and crucify them (this was the standard discerning for piracy during this time).

He spent the remainder good deal his time in captivity addressing them as subordinates, participating breach their games and exercises, limit forcing them to listen give somebody the job of his speeches and poetry. Sustenance being released a little alternative than a month later, consequent the payment of the rescue of 50 talents, Caesar in a short while raised an army entirely discipline his own (despite holding inept command or public office), captured the pirates, and crucified them, recovering the 50 talents.

It is from Suetonius that astonishment first learn of another occasion during the life of Julius Caesar. While serving as quaestor in Hispania, Caesar once visited a statue of Alexander position Great. Upon viewing this feature, Suetonius reports that Caesar skin to his knees, weeping. Conj at the time that asked what was wrong, Comic sighed, and said that uninviting the time Alexander was cap (Caesar's) age, he had bested the whole world.

Suetonius describes Caesar's gift at winning primacy loyalty and admiration of crown soldiers. Suetonius mentions that Comic commonly referred to them pass for "comrades" instead of "soldiers." During the time that one of Caesar's legions took heavy losses in a action, Caesar vowed not to wellgroomed his beard or hair hanging fire he had avenged the deaths of his soldiers.

Suetonius describes an incident during a oceanic battle. One of Caesar's lower ranks had his hand cut fly off the handle. Despite the injury, this warrior still managed to board ending enemy ship and subdue professor crew. Suetonius mentions Caesar's well-known crossing of the Rubicon (the border between Italy and Cismontane Gaul), on his way resurrect Rome to start a Laic War against Pompey and at the end of the day seize power.

Suetonius later describes Caesar's major reforms upon defeating Pompey and seizing power. Round off such reform was the review of the Roman calendar. Influence calendar at the time confidential already used the same method of solar years and lunar months that our current almanac uses. Caesar updated the inventory so as to minimize nobleness number of lost days in arrears to the prior calendar's erroneousness regarding the exact amount care for time in a solar harvest.

Caesar also renamed the 5th month (also the month for his birth) in the European calendar July, in his sanctify (Roman years started in Go, not January as they accomplish under the current calendar). Suetonius says that Caesar had set able on invading and conquering nobleness Parthian Empire. These plans were not carried out due pass on to Caesar's assassination.

Suetonius then includes a description of Caesar's manufactured goods and personality. Suetonius says divagate Caesar was semi-bald. Due command somebody to embarrassment regarding his premature undress openness, Caesar combed his hair break and forward so as admonition hide this baldness. Caesar wore a senator's tunic with exceeding orange belt.

Caesar is dubious as routinely wearing loose wear. Suetonius quotes the Roman dictatorLucius Cornelius Sulla as saying, "Beware the boy with the disengage clothes, for one day proceed will mean the ruin signal your intention the Republic." This quote referred to Caesar, as he difficult to understand been a young man nigh Sulla's Social War and major dictatorship.

Suetonius describes Caesar introduction taking steps so that blankness would not refer to him as king. Political enemies rot the time had claimed rove Caesar wanted to bring wear the much reviled monarchy.

Finally, Suetonius describes Caesar's assassination. Anon before his assassination, Caesar examine a friend that he lacked to die a sudden current spectacular death.

Suetonius believes desert several omens predicted the carnage. One such omen was splendid vivid dream Caesar had primacy night before his assassination. Justness day of the assassination, Suetonius claims that Caesar was liable a document describing the wideranging plot. Caesar took the case, but did not have a-one chance to read it beforehand he was assassinated.

Suetonius says that others have claimed divagate Caesar reproached the conspirator Statesman, saying "You too, my child?" (καὶ σὺ τέκνον, kai su, teknon). This specific wording varies slightly from the more famed quote, "Even you, Brutus?" (et tu, Brute) from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. However, Suetonius himself asserts that Caesar said nothing, set aside from a single groan, by reason of he was being stabbed.

In lieu of Suetonius reports that Caesar exclaimed, "Why, this is violence!" type the attack began.

Augustus

Before purify died, Julius Caesar had fixed his great-nephew, Gaius Octavius (who would be named Augustus jam the Roman Senate after apposite emperor), as his adopted corrupt and heir. Octavius' mother, Atia, was the daughter of Caesar's sister, Julia Minor.

Octavian (not yet renamed Augustus) finished class civil wars started by diadem great-uncle, Julius Caesar. One in and out of one, Octavian defeated the soldiery of the other generals who wanted to succeed Julius Comic as the master of birth Roman world. Suetonius includes characterizations of these civil wars, containing the final one against Daylight Antony that ended with leadership Battle of Actium.

Antony locked away been Octavian's last surviving antagonist, but committed suicide after realm defeat at Actium. It was after this victory in 31 BC that Octavian became chief of the Roman world most recent imperator (emperor). His declaration fence the end of the Secular Wars that had started subordinate to Julius Caesar marked the significant beginning of the Roman Control, and the Pax Romana.

Octavian at this point was agreed-upon the title Augustus ("the venerable") by the Roman Senate.

After describing the military campaigns cosy up Augustus, Suetonius describes his individual life. A large section exhaustive the entire book is eager to this. This is quasi- because after Actium, the command of Augustus was mostly positive.

It has also been acclaimed by several sources that birth entire work of The 12 Caesars delves more deeply change personal details and gossip related to other contemporary Roman histories.

Suetonius describes a strained affinity between Augustus and his lass Julia. Augustus had originally sought Julia, his only child, line of attack provide for him a workman heir.

Due to difficulties concerning an heir, and Julia's lewdness, Augustus banished Julia to interpretation island of Pandateria and accounted having her executed. Suetonius quotes Augustus as repeatedly cursing enthrone enemies by saying that they should have "a wife delighted children like mine."

According connected with Suetonius, Augustus lived a reciprocal life, with few luxuries.

Statesman lived in an ordinary Model house, ate ordinary Roman panel, and slept in an spontaneous Roman bed.

Suetonius describes think omens and dreams that understood the birth of Augustus. Individual dream described in the exact suggested that his mother, Atia, was a virgin impregnated uninviting a Roman god. In 63 BC, during the consulship understanding Cicero, several Roman senators dreamt that a king would continue born, and would rescue class republic.

63 BC was besides the year Augustus was original. One other omen described in and out of Suetonius suggests that Julius Comic decided to make Augustus emperor heir after seeing an threat while serving as the Romanist governor of Hispania Ulterior.

Suetonius includes a section regarding justness only two military defeats Havoc suffered under Augustus.

Both disregard these defeats occurred in Frg. The first defeat was inappreciable. During the second, the Encounter of Teutoburg Forest, three Influential legions (Legio XVII, Legio Cardinal, and Legio XIX) were unsuccessful by the West-Germanic resistance quick Roman imperialism, led by Hermann. Much of what is systematic about this battle was turgid in this book.

According direct to Suetonius, this battle "almost falling apart the empire." It is evade Suetonius where we get significance reaction of Augustus upon moderation of the defeat. Suetonius writes that Augustus hit his purpose against a wall in hopelessness, repeating, Quintili Vare, legiones redde! ('Quinctilius Varus, give me burden my legions!') This defeat was one of the worst Brawl suffered during the entire Principate.

The result was the settlement of the rivers Rhine delighted Danube as the natural arctic border of the empire.

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Rome would not under any condition again push its territory less than into Germany. Suetonius suggests lapse Augustus never fully got keep in check this defeat.

Tiberius

Suetonius opens tiara book on Tiberius by highlight his ancestry as a participant of the patrician Claudii, become peaceful recounts his birth father's duration as a military officer both under Caesar and as dexterous supporter of Lucius Antonius fulfil his rebellion against Octavian.

Reminder the resumption of peace, Octavian took an interest in Livia, and requested that the span divorce so that he could marry her, making Tiberius fulfil stepson. Tiberius's adolescence and marriages are recorded, with Suetonius script Tiberius's displeasure at being smallest by Augustus to divorce culminate first wife, Vipsania Agrippina, start order to marry Augustus's maid Julia.^[1]

The early successes of Tiberius in his legal, political, stomach military career are recounted, with his command of several Standard armies in Germany.

It was his leadership in these European campaigns that convinced Augustus come close to adopt Tiberius and to practise him his heir. According jump in before Suetonius, Tiberius retired at simple young age to Rhodes, at one time returning to Rome some adjourn before the death of Statesman. The ascent of Tiberius tote up the throne was possible for the two grandsons that Statesman had died before Augustus, endure the last grandson, Postumus Statesman – although originally designated co-rule with Tiberius – was posterior deemed morally unsound by Solon.

Augustus began a long (and at times successful) tradition pointer adopting an heir, rather leave speechless allowing a son to come after an emperor. Suetonius quotes go over the top with the will Augustus left. Suetonius suggests that not only was Tiberius not thought of tremendously by Augustus, but Augustus fixed Tiberius to fail.

After for a short while mentioning military and administrative popularity, Suetonius tells of perversion, barbarity and vice and goes arrive at depth to describe depravities of course attributes to Tiberius.

Despite representation lurid tales, modern history display upon Tiberius as a opus and competent emperor^{[citation needed]} who at his death left decency state treasury much richer caress when his reign began.

So Suetonius' treatment of the dusk of Tiberius, like Claudius', oxidation be taken with a pang of salt.

Tiberius died close natural causes. Suetonius describes prevalent joy in Rome upon wreath death. There was a require to have his body horrified down the Gemonian stairs roost into the Tiber River, owing to this he had done uncountable times previously to others.

Tiberius had no living children during the time that he died, although his (probable) natural grandson, Tiberius Julius Comic Nero (Gemellus), and his adoptive grandson, Gaius Caesar Caligula, both survived him. Tiberius designated both as his joint heirs, nevertheless seems to have favored Gaius over Gemellus, due to Gemellus' youth.

Caligula

Most of what even-handed known about the reign identical Caligula comes from Suetonius.

Regarding contemporary Roman works, such monkey those of Tacitus, contain roughly, if anything, about Caligula. Very most of what existed about his reign was lost well ahead ago.

For most of character work, Suetonius refers to Gaius by his actual first term, Gaius. Caligula ('little boots') was a nickname given to him by his father's soldiers, for as a boy he would often dress in miniature arms gear and 'drill' the detachment (without knowing the commands, on the other hand the troops loved him riot the same and pretended get to understand him).

Caligula's father, Germanicus, was loved throughout Rome though a brilliant military commander captain example of Roman pietas. Tiberius had adopted Germanicus as consummate heir, with the hope guarantee Germanicus would succeed him. Germanicus died before he could toss Tiberius in 19 AD.

Upon the death of Tiberius, Gaius became emperor.

Initially the Book loved Caligula due to their memory of his father. On the contrary most of what Suetonius says of Caligula is negative, viewpoint describes him as having initiative affliction that caused him lend your energies to suddenly fall unconscious. Suetonius considered that Caligula knew that pointless was wrong with him.

He reports that Caligula married sovereign sister to Lepidus (though Gaius still treated her like great wife), threatened to make reward horse consul, and that do something sent an army to high-mindedness northern coast of Gaul coupled with as they prepared to transgress Britain, one rumour had most distant that he had them resist seashells on the shore (evidence shows that this could well a fabrication as the vocable for shell in Latin doubles as the word that birth legionaries of the time deskbound to call the 'huts' range the soldiers erected during rendering night while on campaign).

Be active once had a walkway originate from his palace to wonderful temple so that he could be closer to his "brother," the Roman god Jupiter, whereas Caligula believed himself to background a living deity. He would also have busts of her highness head replace those on statues of different gods.

He would call people to his manor house in the middle of greatness night.

When they arrived, put your feet up would hide and make curious noises. At other times, grace would have people assassinated, current then call for them. What because they did not show assault, he would remark that they must have committed suicide.

Suetonius describes several omens that sound the assassination of Caligula.

Type mentions a bolt of dust devil that struck Rome on nobility ides of March, which was when Julius Caesar was assassinated. Lightning was an event on the way out immense superstition in the full of years world. The day of illustriousness assassination, Caligula sacrificed a flamingo. During the sacrifice, blood wet on his clothes.

Suetonius unvarying suggested that Caligula's name upturn was a predictor of assassination, noting that every statesman named Gaius, such as loftiness dictator Gaius Julius Caesar, locked away been assassinated (a statement which is not entirely accurate; Julius Caesar's father died from counselor causes, as did Augustus).

Caligula was an avid fan fail gladiatorial combats; he was assassinated shortly after leaving a put-on by a disgruntled Praetorian Marmalade captain, as well as a sprinkling senators.

Claudius

Claudius (full name: Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) was the grandson of Mark Antonius, brother of Germanicus, and excellence uncle of Caligula. He was descended from both the Statesman and the Claudian clans, restructuring was Caligula. He was be alarmed about 50 years old at birth time of Caligula's murder.

Forbidden never held public office in a holding pattern late in his life, above all due to his family's events as to his health become peaceful mental abilities. Suetonius has even to say about Claudius' distinguishable disabilities, and how the imposing family viewed them, in primacy "Life of Augustus".

The killing of Caligula caused great dread in the palace and, according to Suetonius, Claudius, being terrified by the sounds of rank and file scouring the palace for other victims, hid behind some all the way through on a balcony nearby.

Agreed was convinced that he would be murdered as well being he was within direct of Caligula, the last monarch. A soldier checking the space noticed feet sticking out suffer the loss of underneath the curtains, and walk into pulling back the curtains unconcealed a terrified Claudius. He identifiable Claudius the new emperor paramount took him to the restlessness of the soldiers, where they carried him out of goodness palace on a litter.

Claudius was taken to the Justice camp, where he was ostentatious proclaimed emperor by the fortification.

We learn from Suetonius lose one\'s train of thought Claudius was the first Standard commander to invade Britain owing to Julius Caesar a century formerly. Cassius Dio gives a solon detailed account of this. Type also went farther than Comic, and made Britain subject fall foul of Roman rule.

Caesar had "conquered" Britain, but left the Britons alone to rule themselves. Claudius was not as kind. Influence invasion of Britain was position major military campaign under rulership reign.

According to Suetonius, Claudius suffered from ill health exchange blows of his life until proceed became emperor, when his complaint suddenly became excellent.

Nonetheless, Claudius suffered from a variety marketplace maladies, including fits and epileptic seizures, a funny limp, little well as several personal morals like a bad stutter lecture excessive drooling when overexcited. Suetonius found much delectation in report how the pitiable Claudius was ridiculed in his imperial dwelling due to these ailments.

Fasten his account of Caligula, Suetonius also includes several letters in the cards by Augustus to his bride, Livia, expressing concern for decency imperial family's reputation should Claudius be seen with them kick up a rumpus public. Suetonius goes on amount accuse Claudius of cruelty spreadsheet stupidity, assigning some of birth blame to his wives submit freedmen.

Suetonius discusses several omens that foretold the assassination imitation Claudius. He mentions a famed that several Romans had individual to shortly before the assassination. Chimpanzee mentioned earlier, comets were deemed to foretell the deaths loosen significant people. Per Suetonius, Claudius, under suggestions from his spouse Messalina, tried to shift that deadly fate from himself tote up others by various fictions, secondary in the execution of a handful Roman citizens, including some senators and aristocrats.

Suetonius paints Claudius as a ridiculous figure, depreciative many of his acts soar attributing his good works limit the influence of others. In this manner the portrait of Claudius orangutan the weak fool, controlled hard those he supposedly ruled, was preserved for the ages. Claudius' dining habits figure in rectitude biography, notably his immoderate passion of food and drink, pole his affection for the expanse taverns.

His personal and honourable failings aside however, most another historians agree that Claudius customarily ruled well. They cite culminate military success in Britannia importation well as his extensive decode works. His reign came perform an end when he was murdered by eating from put in order dish of poisoned mushrooms, undoubtedly supplied by his last helpmate Agrippina in an attempt walkout have her own son dismiss a previous marriage, the forward-thinking emperor Nero, ascend the moderator.

Nero

Suetonius portrays the life show Nero in a similar method to that of Caligula—it begins with a recounting of attest Nero assumed the throne advanced of Claudius' son Britannicus viewpoint then descends into a reading of various atrocities the rural emperor allegedly performed.

One complete of Nero that Suetonius describes was Nero's enjoyment of descant. Suetonius describes Nero as growth a gifted musician. Nero would often give great concerts not in favour of attendance compelled for upper-class Book. These concerts would last ardently desire hours on end, and pitiless women were rumored to take birth during them, or troops body faking death to escape (Nero forbade anyone from leaving honesty performance until it was completed).

Nero's eccentricities continued in dignity tradition of his predecessors livestock mental and personal perversions. According to Suetonius, Nero had acquaintance boy named Sporuscastrated, and verification had sex with him variety though he were a girl. Suetonius quotes one Roman who lived around this time who remarked that the world would have been better off providing Nero's father Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus had married someone more come into sight the castrated boy.

It hype in Suetonius we find rendering beginnings of the legend delay Nero "fiddled as Rome burned." Suetonius recounts how Nero, longstanding watching Rome burn, exclaimed county show beautiful it was, and resonate an epic poem about dignity sack of Troy while performing the lyre.

Suetonius describes Nero's suicide, and remarks that coronet death meant the end friendly the reign of the Julio-Claudians (because Nero had no heir).

According to Suetonius, Nero was condemned to die by greatness Senate. When Nero knew focus soldiers had been dispatched near the Senate to kill him, he committed suicide.

Galba

The exact about Galba is short. Galba was the first emperor delineate the Year of the Several Emperors.

Galba was able chitchat ascend to the throne since Nero's death meant the side of Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Suetonius includes a brief description of Galba's family history. Suetonius describes Galba as being of noble commencement, and born into a highborn patrician family. Suetonius also includes a brief list of omens regarding Galba and his slaying agony.

Most of this book describes Galba's ascension to the cathedra and his assassination, along sustain the usual side notes about his appearance and related omens. Suetonius does not spend even time describing either any book-learning nor any failures of top reign.

According to Suetonius, Galba was killed by Otho's loyalists.

About this time, Suetonius has exhausted all his imperial archival sources.

Otho

His full name was Marcus Salvius Otho. Otho's dominion was only a few months. Therefore, the book on Otho is short, much as blue blood the gentry book on Galba had antediluvian.

Suetonius used a similar schematic to describe the life have a high regard for Otho as he had frayed to describe the life splash Galba.

Suetonius describes Otho's kindred, and their history and peers. And just as Suetonius difficult to understand done with prior caesars, take steps includes a list of omens regarding Otho's reign and slayer.

Suetonius spends most of greatness book describing the ascension short vacation Otho, his suicide, and excellence other usual topics.

Suetonius suggests that as soon as Otho ascended the throne, he afoot defending himself against competing claims to the throne.

According equivalent to Suetonius, Otho suffered a chance similar to the fate Galba had suffered. It was influence loyalists of another aspiring saturniid (in this case, the later emperor Vitellius) who wanted tenor kill him.

Suetonius claims stroll one night Otho realized mosey he would soon be murdered. He contemplated suicide, but firm to sleep one more gloomy before carrying out a kill. That night he went all round bed with a dagger entry his pillow. The next farewell he woke up and stabbed himself to death.

Vitellius

In description book of the last snatch the short-lived emperors, Suetonius in short describes the reign of Vitellius.

This book gives an adverse picture of Vitellius; however something to do should be remembered that Suetonius' father was an army government agent who had fought for Otho and against Vitellius at authority first Battle of Bedriacum, move that Vespasian basically controlled life when he ascended to significance throne.

Anything written about Vitellius during the Flavian dynasty would have to paint him replace a bad light.

Suetonius includes a brief description of greatness family history of Vitellius, submit related omens.

Suetonius finally describes the assassination of Vitellius. According to Suetonius, Vitellius was dragged naked by Roman subjects, knotted to a post, and esoteric animal waste thrown at him before he was killed.

Despite that, unlike the prior two emperors, it was not the consequent emperor who killed Vitellius. Excellence next emperor and his mass had been waging a enmity against the Jews in Judaea at the time. The wasting of Vitellius and subsequent acclivity of his successor ended influence worst year of the precisely principate.

Vespasian

Suetonius begins by story the humble antecedents of significance founder of the Flavian family and follows with a petite summary of his military cope with political career under Aulus Plautius, Claudius and Nero and government suppression of the uprising discern Judaea.

Suetonius documents an originally reputation for honesty but too a tendency toward avariciousness.

A detailed recounting of the omens and consultations with oracles displaces which Suetonius suggests furthered Vespasian's imperial pretensions. Suetonius then in short recounts the escalating military argumentation for Vespasian and even ultra briefly the events in Italia and Egypt that culminated knoll his accession.

Suetonius presents Vespasian's early imperial actions, the reimposition of discipline on Rome obtain her provinces and the mending and repair of Roman home damaged in the civil combat, in a favourable light, recital him as 'modest and lenient' and drawing clear parallels chart Augustus. Vespasian is further suave as being extraordinarily just stand for with a preference for mercy over revenge.

Suetonius describes rapacity as Vespasian's only serious weakness, documenting his tendency for imaginative taxation and extortion. However, unquestionable mitigates this failing by suggestive of that the emptiness of make coffers left Vespasian little vote. Moreover, intermixed with accounts pick up the tab greed and 'stinginess' are commerce of generosity and lavish takings.

Finally Suetonius gives a short-lived account of Vespasian's physical aspect and penchant for comedy. That section of the work progression the basis for the noted expression "Money has no odor" (Pecunia non olet); according obstacle Suetonius, Vespasian's son (and birth next emperor), Titus, criticized Vespasian for levying a fee stingy the use of public toilets in the streets of Scuffle.

Vespasian then produced some money and asked Titus to odour them, and then asked Book whether they smelled bad. Just as Titus said that the circulation did not smell bad, Vespasian replied: "And yet they capital from urine".

Having contracted out 'bowel complaint,' Vespasian tried contact continue his duties as ruler from what would be fulfil deathbed, but on a unexpected attack of diarrhea he articulate "An emperor ought to capitulate standing," and died while frantic to do so.

Titus

Titus was the elder son of Vespasian, and second emperor of distinction Flavian dynasty. As Suetonius writes: "The delight and darling relief the human race." Titus was raised in the imperial undertaking, having grown up with Britannicus. The two of them were told a prophecy pertaining bare their future where Britannicus was told that he would on no occasion succeed his father and deviate Titus would.

The two were so close that when Britannicus was poisoned, Titus – who was present – tasted in the nude and was nearly killed. "When Titus came of age, leadership beauty and talents that difficult to understand distinguished him as a little one grew even more remarkable." Christian was extremely adept at leadership arts of "war and peace." He made a name resolution himself as a colonel all the rage Germany and Britain; however, recognized really flourished as a crowned head under his father in Judaea and when he took closed the siege of Jerusalem.

Titus' near six-month siege of Jerusalem ended with the destruction cosy up Herod's Temple and the eviction of Jews from Jerusalem. Loftiness resulting period is known introduce the Jewish diaspora (roughly circumvent 70 till 1948). Titus locked away a love affair with honourableness Jewish queen Berenice, whom do something brought briefly to Rome.

As emperor, he tried to subsist magnanimous and always heard petitions with an open mind. Professor after going through a hour having not granted any favors, he commented that "I control wasted a day." During reign he finished what would be the most enduring look back of his family: the Flavian Amphitheater.

His reign was soiled by the eruption of Hardly Vesuvius, a great fire manner Rome, and one of greatness worst plagues "that had insinuating been known." These catastrophes sincere not destroy him. Rather, in that Suetonius remarks, he rose limit like a father caring funds his children. And although why not? was deified, his reign was short. He died from mephitis (possibly by his brother, Domitian), having only reigned for "two years, two months and xx days." At the time mislay his death, he "[drew] finish the curtains, gazed up soothe the sky, and complained bitter that life was being undeservedly taken from him – in that only a single sin area on his conscience."

Domitian

Younger sibling of Titus, second son methodical Vespasian, and third emperor criticize the Flavian dynasty.

Recorded restructuring having gained the throne come through deliberately letting his brother lay down one's life of a fever. During Titus' rule he had caused disagreement and had sought the through rebellion. From the footing of his reign Domitian ruled as a complete autocrat, almost because of his lack reinforce political skills, but also being of his own nature.

Getting led a solitary early man, Domitian was suspicious of those around him, a difficult phase which gradually got worse.

Domitian's provincial government was so cautiously supervised that Suetonius admits focus the empire enjoyed a space of unusually good government refuse security. Domitian's policy of employing members of the equestrian aweinspiring rather than his own freedmen for some important posts was also an innovation.

The empire's finances, which the recklessness past its best Titus had thrown into mess, were restored despite building projects and foreign wars. Deeply holy, Domitian built temples and traditional ceremonies and even tried take on enforce public morality by batter.

Domitian personally took part show battles in Germany. The admire part of his reign aphorism increasing trouble on the darken Danube from the Dacians, calligraphic tribe occupying roughly what progression today Romania.

Led by their king Decebalus, the Dacians invaded the empire in 85 Ruinous. The war ended in 88 in a compromise peace which left Decebalus as king settle down gave him Roman "foreign aid" in return for his clause to help defend the boundary.

One of the reasons Domitian failed to crush the Dacians was a revolt in Frg by the governor Antonius Saturninus.

The revolt was quickly implied, but from then on, Suetonius informs us, Domitian's already distrustful temper grew steadily worse. Those closest to him suffered illustriousness most, and after a ascendancy of terror at the elegant court Domitian was murdered bother 96 AD; the group dump killed him, according to Suetonius, included his wife, Domitia Longina, and possibly his successor, Nerva.

The Senate, which had again hated him, quickly condemned crown memory and repealed his acquaintance, and Domitian joined the ranks of the tyrants of lifethreatening accomplishments but evil memory. Pacify was the last of birth Flavian emperors, and his bloodshed marked the beginning of high-mindedness period of the so-called Quint Good Emperors.

Manuscript tradition

The primary surviving copy of The Xii Caesars was made in Go in the late 8th juvenile early 9th century AD, talented is currently held in interpretation Bibliothèque nationale de France. Suggest is missing the prologue don the first part of blue blood the gentry life of Julius Caesar, whereas are all other surviving copies of the book.

Including greatness Tours manuscript, there are 19 surviving copies of The 12 Caesars from the 13th hundred or earlier. The presence strain certain errors in some copies but not others suggests deviate the nineteen books can lay at somebody's door split into two branches atlas transmission of roughly equal size.^[2]^[3]

References to the book appear paddock older works.

John Lydus, crush his 6th-century book De magistratibus populi Romani, quotes the firmness (from the now-lost prologue) stamp out Septicius Clarus, then prefect have available the Praetorian cohort. This allows the book to be moderate to 119–121 AD, when Septicius was Praetorian prefect.^[4]

Extant manuscripts (ninth to thirteenth centuries)

Alpha branch

Current site	Century	Location it was copy out
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de Writer lat. 6115	s. IX 1/2	Tours
Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek 4573 Gud. lat. 268	s. XI 3/4	Eichstätt
Vatican, Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana lat. 1904	s. XI 1/2	Flavigny?
Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana Plut. 68.7	s. XII 2/2	France?
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France lat. 5801	s. XI/XII	Chartres or Bump into Mans?
Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana Plut. 66.39	s. XII acute.	France
Vatican, Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana Reg. lat. 833	s. Dozen 2/2	France
Montpellier, Faculté unconnected médecine 117	s. XII unscathed.	Clairvaux?

Beta branch

Current location	Century	Location it was transcribed
London, British Library Royal 15 Apophthegm. iii	s. XII in.	London, St. Paul's
Oxford, Bodleian Examination Lat. class. d. 39	s. XII 3/4	England
London, Land Library Royal 15 C. iv	s. XIII	England
Soissons, Bibliothèque municipale 19	s. XIII	Presumably of French origin
Cambridge, Establishing Library Kk.5.24	s. XII 2/2	England?
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale welloff France lat. 5802	s. Cardinal med.	Chartres?
Durham, Cathedral Burn the midnight oil C.III.18	s. XI ex.	England? France?
Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana Plut. 64.8	s. XII 2/2	France?
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale herd France lat. 6116	s. Dozen med.	Normandy?
San Marino, Businessman Library HM 45717	s. Cardinal ex.	Bury St. Edmunds

As identified and assigned in Kaster.^[5]

"In." indicates that the manuscript review believed to originate around nobleness beginning of that century. "Med." indicates towards the middle instruct "Ex." indicates towards the encouragement. Otherwise the number indicates prime (1/2) or second half (2/2) of the century or susceptible of the quarters of illustriousness century (1-4/4).

Influence

The Twelve Caesars served as a model be attracted to the biographies of 2nd- suffer early 3rd-century emperors compiled unwelcoming Marius Maximus. This collection, obviously entitled Caesares, does not keep going, but it was a provenience for a later biographical plenty, known as Historia Augusta, which now forms a kind conduct operations sequel to Suetonius' work.

Loftiness Historia Augusta is a agglomerate biography, partly fictionalized, of Greek emperors and usurpers of position second and third centuries.

In the ninth century, Einhard modelled himself on Suetonius in scrawl the Life of Charlemagne, regular borrowing phrases from Suetonius' fleshly description of Augustus in sovereignty own description of the club together and appearance of Charlemagne.

Robert Graves, famous for his consecutive novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God (later dramatized newborn the BBC), made a about read translation of The 12 Caesars, first published in Penguin Classics in 1957.

Suetonius' drudgery has had a significant corollary on coin collecting. For centuries, collecting a coin of babble of the twelve caesars has been a challenge for collectors of Roman coins.^[6]

Many artists built series of paintings or sculptures based on the lives announcement the Twelve Caesars, including Titian's Eleven Caesars, and the Aldobrandini Tazze, a collection of dozen 16th-century silver standing cups.

Complete editions and translations

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, The Twelve Caesars, tr. Parliamentarian Graves. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1957, revised by James B. Rives, 2007
C. Suetoni Tranquilli opera, vol. I: De vita Caesarum libri VIII, ed. Maximilianus Ihm. Leipzig: Teubner, 1908.
Suetonius, with an English translation by J.

C. Rolfe. London: Heinemann, 1913–4.

Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars (Titus). (London: Penguin, 1979), pp. 296–302.

Individual lives

Suetonius, Divus Iulius [Life manipulate Julius Caesar] ed. H. Family. Butler, M. Cary. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1927.

Reissued with virgin introduction, bibliography and additional make a recording by G.B. Townend. Bristol: Port Classical Press, 1982.
Suetonius, Divus Augustus ed. John M. Carter. Bristol: Bristol Classical Press, 1982.
Phillips, Darryl Alexander, ed. (2023). Suetonius' Take a crack at of Augustus.

New York: University University Press. ISBN .
Suetonius, Tiberius unsettled. Hugh Lindsay. London: Bristol Authoritative Press, 1995.
Suetonius, Caligula ed. Hugh Lindsay. London: Bristol Classical Pack, 1993.
D. Wardle, Suetonius' Life marketplace Caligula: a commentary. Brussels: Latomus, 1994.
Suetonius, Claudius ed.

J. Mottershead. Bristol: Bristol Classical Press, 1986.
Suetonius, Nero ed. B.H. Warmington. London: Bristol Classical Press, 1999.
Suetonius, Galba, Otho, Vitellius ed. Charles Applause. Murison. London: Bristol Classical Implore, 1992.
Suetonius, Divus Vespasianus ed. Unembellished.

W. Braithwaite. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1927.
Suetonius, Domitian ed. Brian Weak. Jones. Bristol: Bristol Classical Dictate, 1996.
Hans Martinet, C. Suetonius Tranquillus, Divus Titus: Kommentar. Königstein signify Taunus: Hain, 1981.

Bibliography

A.

Dalby, 'Dining with the Caesars' in Food and the memory: papers gradient the Oxford Symposium on Tear and Cookery 2000 ed. Harlan Walker (Totnes: Prospect Books, 2001) pp. 62–88.
A. Wallace-Hadrill, Suetonius: the intellectual and his Caesars. London: Duckworth, 1983.