The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics) by Suetonius Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.36 You Save: $6.64 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.98 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics)
Book Review: Accesible and interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
To be honest, I'm not exactly sure why I bought this book. But I'm glad I did, it proved very readable and very informative. I had no knowledge of the Caesars prior to reading, and this certainly hindered my understanding of this work.
The fact that it is written by somebody who actually lived under the reign of the final Caesar he discusses (Domitian), it gives a unique view that modern history cannot compare with. However, this also lets it down slightly. For instance, Suetonius has a habit of talking about omens and portents in great detail. Because he has written in the age, he writes with the superstitions of the Romans as well.
Personally, I find it hard to believe that each emporer had myriad omens dictating that they would become emporer, and in many cases predict their death. It is far more likely, of course, that such things were contrived after the events to preserve the integrity of the soothsayers.
I did struggle with the politics, and the political structure, and found major gaps in certain parts of the novel. For instance, when dealing with Julius, it never actually says when he became emporer, and often such events of major import are brushed over. Some emporers, especially Vitellius and Titus were almost mentioned in a brief aside, with the clear focus on the more famous characters. I am aware that their reins were shorter, but very little detail is given. It is also very thin on the ground when it comes to discussing foreign campaigns.
What it did do, is paint these as actual people. He portrays Claudius as weak, and unduly influenced by freedmen and his wife. The things he says about Tiberius are truly shocking, and as for Gaius and Nero.... no wonder the Roman empire fell into civil war and bankrupcy.