The Lives of the Twelve Caesars

The Twelve Caesars (121 CE) can be considered one of the most picturesque biographical works ever written. It records the lives of the people who brandished complete power in Rome after it transformed from being a republic into an empire in 27 BCE. Suetonius was closely familiar with court life as he was a private secretary to one of the emperors Hadrian. He uses that information in The Twelve Caesars to reveal insights into the ups and downs of the empires early years as well as the ideals and flaws of its seemingly divine rulers. The composition of the individual memoirs has frequently perplexed modern readers who expect Suetonius to recount his story in an even and linear manner from the rulers birth to his death. Suetonius generally began the autobiography with the emperors family and his upbringing; the majority of each memoir consists of a myriad of memorable anecdotes about an emperors private life and his public conduct. Be that as it may this is not a mere inventory of corruption and sex. Instead Suetonius lets his readers know that he has carefully organized the narratives by categories. These categories incorporate the emperors morality and his vices. After the vices and virtues Suetonius Lives normally conclude with a story of the emperors passing and a comprehensive physical description of his body.