Suetonius

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This article is about the Roman historian. For the Roman general who defeated the rebellion of Boudica, see Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (69 or 70 AD - after 130 AD ) or known as Suetonius was a prominent Roman historian.

1 Life
2 Works
- 2.1 Twelve Caesars
- 2.2 Other works
3 External links

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Life

He was the son of Suetonius Laetus who probably came from Hippo Regius (Annaba, Algeria). Laetus was an equestrian who served as a regular colonel and took part in the first Battle of Bedriacum for the Emperor Otho and against the future Emperor Vitellius in AD 69.

Suetonius was a close friend to Senator and Historian Pliny the Younger. Pliny describes him as quiet and studious, a man dedicated to writing. Pliny helped him buy a small property in Italy and interceded with the Emperor Trajan to grant Suetonius immunities usually granted to a father of three, the jus trium liberorum, even though Suetonius never married or had any children. Through Pliny, Suetonius came into favor with Trajan and Hadrian.

Suetonius served on Pliny’s staff when Pliny was Proconsul of Bithynia Pontus (northern Asia Minor) between 110 and 112. Under Trajan he served a secretariat of studies (precise functions are uncertain) and a directorate of Imperial libraries. Under Hadrian, he became his imperial secretary.

In 122, Hadrian dismissed him for disrespectful behaviour towards Empress Vibia Sabina. Suetonius later regained imperial favor under Hadrian and returned to his position.

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Works

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Twelve Caesars

Template:Main He is mainly remembered as the author The Twelve Caesars (also known as Lives of the Caesars), which was written in 121, under Hadrian. This is the only book that has survived from Suetonius’ writings. The Twelve Caesars is a biography of the Roman Empire's first leaders who were: Julius Caesar (the first few chapters are missing), Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. The book was dedicated to a friend Gaius Septicius Clarus, a prefect of the Praetorian Guard in 119.