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: Rome's Tabloid Historian
Summary: 5 Stars
Suetonius grew up in the years following Nero's reign and wrote these histories while he was the secretary of the emperor Hadrian in the early second century A.D. His book covers the successive reigns of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
The stories focus on the emperors themselves more than the events which took place under their reigns and, although there's certainly some truth to those emperors, many of Suetonius' facts are anecdotal stories and rumors. Suetonius has therefore been called one of the first tabloid writers. Nevertheless, his biographies are rather concise and systematic; touching upon the physical attributes of the ruler, his background, the good deeds (if any) in his reign and then, of course, the bad deeds.
Robert Graves' translation is superb and probalby one of the best ones available. It is quite faithful to the generally jovial mood of Suetonius' work and presented with a good introduction by reputed historian Michael Grant. I can't help but be amused at some of the stories Suetonius recites on Nero and Caligula as they are definitely two of the most eccentric emperors (to put it lightly)that ever ruled the Principate. For example, when Nero first inaugurated his new gigantic Golden House with a mile-long corridor and a 130' statue of himself at the entrance, he was said to have exclaimed, "At last! I can live like a human being!"
Book Review: Dry
Summary: 3 Stars
I found the book very dry and decided not to use it for my students.Book Review: Ceasar still lives
Summary: 5 Stars
The material in this book is almost unbelievable.To think that our civilization began in such horrors is almost unimaginable.
But the reading of it was fastinating. The prose excellent and fascinating from beginning to end.
I liked the way much of the Hollywood (we Blame them for everything) glitz was blown away and we got to the Truth?
Now I am looking for more once I get through my other books.
Art Lewis.
Book Review: Getting To Know Them
Summary: 5 Stars
Sorry, I couldn't resist the corrolation with the song. An excellent overview of the men who ruled their world. The good along with the bad. Any serious student of Rome must own this book!Book Review: Hair raising, educational, and utterly fun.
Summary: 5 Stars
What can you say about a classic? Suetonius' geat biographies are enormously significant. Graves' translation is living, livid, and crackling. This book is a compulsive page turner. How many ancient books can you say that about? What comes through most clearly is how absolute power corrupts absolutely. The values of Republican Rome were sold out to the worship of the strongman. It's as if a whole society just decided that Tony Soprano's was the only way to rule. Tony Soprano is actually far more principled and moral than any of these emperors. As a piece of social documentary this book is fascinating and thought provoking. Just be aware it's very strong meat. Rape, murder, excess and debauch of every stripe runs rampant through almost every story. This kind of thing can warp you. I recommend you read a good history of Rome first, to get you ready and give you perspective, and then follow it up with a visit to church to wash the taste from your mouth!