The Lives of the Caesars (1959)

"Suetonius' graphic account of the death of Julius Caesar is only one of many extraordinary scenes in Lives of the Caesars, a series of twelve biographies of Roman emperors beginning with Julius Caesar and ending with Domitian. As a fund of fascinating often outrageous anecdotes, Suetonius' work is unrivalled: Caligula's plan to make his horse consul, Nero singing while Rome burns, tales of adultery, perversion, murder - every vice is exposed and recorded. Less celebrated but equally significant are the edifying descriptions of Augustus' splendid redevelopment of the city of Rome, and Titus' decision to put the state before his love for Berenice. Suetonius' accounts of the achievements and eccentricities of emperors, as well as being highly entertaining, give us valuable insights into the exercise of imperial power in ancient Rome." "This new translation sets the Lives in the literary and political contexts in which they were written."--Jacket.