
The Lives Of The Caesars Include The Biographies Of Julius Caesar And The Eleven Subsequent Emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitelius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian. Suetonius Composed His Material From A Variety Of Sources, Without Much Concern For Their Reliability. His Biographies Consist The Ancestry And Career Of Each Emperor In Turn; However, His Interest Is Not So Much Analytical Or Historical, But Anecdotal And Salacious Which Gives Rise To A Lively And Provocative Succession Of Portraits. The Account Of Julius Caesar Does Not Simply Mention His Crossing Of The Rubicon And His Assassination, But Draws Attention To His Dark Piercing Eyes And Attempts To Conceal His Baldness. The Live Of Caligula Presents A Vivid Picture Of The Emperor's Grotesque Appearance, His Waywardness, And His Insane Cruelties. The Format And Style Of Suetonius' Lives Of The Caesars Was To Set The Tone For Biography Throughout Western Literature - His Work Remains Thoroughly Readable And Full Of Interest. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.
How did the Roman biographer Suetonius shape the literary tradition of imperial biography through his focus on the personal lives and character traits of the Caesars? Catharine Edwards provides a scholarly translation and critical introduction to Suetonius's work, examining how the author prioritized anecdotal evidence and psychological portraiture over traditional political history. By analyzing the structure of these biographies, the text explores how Suetonius utilized gossip, physical descriptions, and moral characterizations to define the public and private legacies of the first twelve Roman rulers.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and students of classical history frequently cite this edition as a standard text for accessing Suetonius's work due to its clear translation and helpful contextual notes. Experts highlight the volume as a foundational resource for understanding how ancient biographical conventions influenced later Western literary styles.
Page Count:
445
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191609102
ISBN-13:
9780191609107
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