History· The Twelve Caesars· Suetonius

The Twelve Caesars

Name: The Twelve Caesars
Author: Suetonius

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The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius is a collection of biographies chronicling the lives of the first twelve rulers of Rome, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Drawing on historical records, personal anecdotes, and accounts of court life, Suetonius explores the political careers, personalities, ambitions, and private lives of these powerful figures. Rich in detail and dramatic episodes, the work offers a fascinating glimpse into the power, scandals, and intrigues of ancient Rome.

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Published: 10 September 2026
Format: Book
Extent: 552 chapters
Language: EN

Chapters: 552
Language: English
On Lithril: September 2026

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011. Suetonius Tranquillus was the son of a Roman knight who commanded aRead
022. LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARSRead
033. Julius Caesar, the Divine [3], lost his father [4] when he was in theRead
044. Thermus; and being dispatched into Bithynia [9], to bring thence aRead
055. He served also in Cilicia [12], under Servilius Isauricus, but onlyRead
066. Soon after this civil discord was composed, he preferred a charge ofRead
077. Having been elected military tribune, the first honour he receivedRead
088. During his quaestorship he pronounced funeral orations from theRead
099. Farther-Spain [20] fell to his lot as quaestor; when there, as heRead
1010. Quitting therefore the province before the expiration of the usualRead
1111. For, only a few days before he entered upon the aedileship, heRead
1212. In his aedileship, he not only embellished the Comitium, and the restRead
1313. Having thus conciliated popular favour, he endeavoured, through hisRead
1414. He likewise suborned some one to prefer an impeachment (9) forRead
1515. Having renounced all hope of obtaining Egypt for his province, heRead
1616. After he was chosen praetor, the conspiracy of Catiline wasRead
1717. Upon the first day of his praetorship, he summoned Quintus CatulusRead
1818. He afterwards approved himself a most resolute supporter ofRead
1919. But he soon got into fresh trouble, being named amongst theRead
2020. At the expiration of his praetorship he obtained by lot theRead
2121. Of the two other competitors for the consulship, Lucius Luceius andRead
2222. Having entered upon his office [43], he introduced a new regulation,Read
2323. About the same time he married Calpurnia, the daughter of LuciusRead
2424. Being, therefore, now supported by the interest of hisRead
2525. When the term of his consulship had expired, upon a motion beingRead
2626. But when Lucius Domitius became a candidate for the consulship,Read
2727. During nine years in which he held the government of the province,Read
2828. During this period [51] he lost his mother [52], whose death wasRead
2929. To maintain his alliance and good understanding with Pompey, heRead
3030. He endeavoured with equal assiduity to engage in his interestRead
3131. But as the senate declined to interpose in the business, and hisRead
3232. When intelligence, therefore, was received, that the interpositionRead
3333. While he was thus hesitating, the following incident occurred. ARead
3434. Accordingly, having marched his army over the river, he shewedRead
3535. Of his subsequent proceedings I shall give a cursory detail, inRead
3636. Thence he returned to Rome, and crossing the sea to Macedonia,Read
3737. During the whole course of the civil war, he never once sufferedRead
3838. For the victories obtained in the several wars, he triumphedRead
3939. To every foot-soldier in his veteran legions, besides the twoRead
4040. The spectacles he exhibited to the people were of various kinds;Read
4141. Turning afterwards his attention to the regulation of theRead
4242. He filled up the vacancies in the senate, by advancing severalRead
4343. He was extremely assiduous and strict in the administration ofRead
4444. His thoughts were now fully employed from day to day on a varietyRead
4545. It is said that he was tall, of a fair complexion, round limbed,Read
4646. He first inhabited a small house in the Suburra [71], but afterRead
4747. They likewise report that he invaded Britain in hopes of findingRead
4848. We are also told, that in the provinces he constantly maintainedRead
4949. The only stain upon his chastity was his having cohabited withRead
5050. It is admitted by all that he was much addicted to women, as well asRead
5151. In the number of his mistresses were also some queens; such asRead
5252. It is acknowledged even by his enemies, that in regard to wine, heRead
5353. But his abstinence did not extend to pecuniary advantages, eitherRead
5454. In eloquence and warlike achievements, he equalled at least, if heRead
5555. He has likewise left Commentaries of his own actions both in theRead
5656. In his expeditions, it is difficult to say whether his caution orRead
5757. He was never deterred from any enterprise, nor retarded in theRead
5858. He not only fought pitched battles, but made sudden attacks when anRead
5959. He rode a very remarkable horse, with feet almost like those of aRead
6060. He often rallied his troops, when they were giving way, by hisRead
6161. The following instances of his resolution are equally, and evenRead
6262. At Alexandria, in the attack of a bridge, being forced by a suddenRead
6363. He never valued a soldier for his moral conduct or his means, butRead
6464. When at any time his troops were dispirited by reports of theRead
6565. He neither noticed all their transgressions, nor punished themRead
6666. Upon his entering on the civil war, the centurions of everyRead
6767. They never once mutinied during all the ten years of the GallicRead
6868. When the soldiers of the tenth legion at Rome demanded theirRead
6969. In the service of his clients, while yet a young man, he evincedRead
7070. He always treated his friends with such kindness and good-nature,Read
7171. His temper was also naturally averse to severity in retaliation.Read
7272. Both in his administration and his conduct towards the vanquishedRead
7373. His other words and actions, however, so far outweigh all hisRead
7474. He was guilty of the same extravagance in the language heRead
7575. But what brought upon him the greatest odium, and was thoughtRead
7676. To this extraordinary mark of contempt for the senate, he addedRead
7777. For this reason the conspirators precipitated the execution ofRead
7878. Caesar had warning given him of his fate by indubitable (50)Read
7979. When he had taken his seat, the conspirators stood round him,Read
8080. At the instance of Lucius Piso, his father-in-law, his will wasRead
8181. Notice of his funeral having been solemnly proclaimed, a pileRead
8282. The populace ran from the funeral, with torches in their hands,Read
8383. Some of Caesar’s friends entertained a suspicion, that heRead
8484. He died in the fifty-sixth year of his age, and was rankedRead
8585. Scarcely any of those who were accessary to his murder, survivedRead
8686. That the family of the Octavii was of the first distinction inRead
8787. This family, as well as several in Rome, was admitted into theRead
8888. His father Caius Octavius was, from his earliest years, a personRead
8989. After quitting Macedonia, before he could declare himself aRead
9090. Augustus was born in the consulship of Marcus Tullius Cicero andRead
9191. His nursery is shewn to this day, in a villa belonging to theRead
9292. While he was yet an infant, the surname of Thurinus was given him,Read
9393. He lost his father when he was only four years of age; and, in hisRead
9494. Having thus given a very short summary of his life, I shallRead
9595. The motive which gave rise to all these wars was the opinion heRead
9696. In this war [115], Hirtius being slain in battle, and Pansa dying aRead
9797. But upon intelligence that Antony, after his defeat, had beenRead
9898. Having entered into a confederacy with Antony and Lepidus, heRead
9999. At this time he obliged Lucius Antony, who, presuming upon his ownRead
100100. After the taking of Perugia [120], he sentenced a great number ofRead
101101. He soon commenced the Sicilian war, but it was protracted byRead
102102. The alliance between him and Antony, which had always beenRead
103103. At this time he had a desire to see the sarcophagus and body ofRead
104104. He conducted in person only two foreign wars; the Dalmatian, whilstRead
105105. He conquered, however, partly in person, and partly by hisRead
106106. The temple of Janus Quirinus, which had been shut twice only, fromRead
107107. In all his wars, he never received any signal or ignominiousRead
108108. In military affairs he made many alterations, introducing someRead
109109. After the conclusion of the civil wars, he never, in any of hisRead
110110. He was advanced to public offices before the age at which he wasRead
111111. During ten years he acted as one of the triumvirate for settlingRead
112112. He twice entertained thoughts of restoring the republic [148];Read
113113. The city, which was not built in a manner suitable to the grandeurRead
114114. The office of Pontifex Maximus, of which he could (95) notRead
115115. He corrected many ill practices, which, to the detriment of theRead
116116. He was himself assiduous in his functions as a judge, and wouldRead
117117. Some laws he abrogated, and he made some new ones; such as theRead
118118. By two separate scrutinies he reduced to their former number andRead
119119. He also made several other alterations in the management ofRead
120120. To augment the number of persons employed in the administrationRead
121121. He was unsparing in the reward of military merit, havingRead
122122. With the assistance of ten senators, he obliged each of the RomanRead
123123. In the election of tribunes of the people, if there was not aRead
124124. But to show that he was a prince who regarded more the good of hisRead
125125. In the number, variety, and magnificence of his publicRead
126126. He corrected the confusion and disorder with which the spectatorsRead
127127. He generally viewed the Circensian games himself, from the upperRead
128128. The more important provinces, which could not with ease or safetyRead
129129. Kingdoms, of which he had made himself master by the right ofRead
130130. With respect to the army, he distributed the legions and auxiliaryRead
131131. In sealing letters-patent, rescripts, or epistles, he at first usedRead
132132. Of his clemency and moderation there are abundant and signalRead
133133. Although he knew that it had been customary to decree temples inRead
134134. On his speaking in the senate, he has been told by (113) one of theRead
135135. Even when some infamous libels against him were dispersed in theRead
136136. Being provoked by some petulant jests, which were designed toRead
137137. How much he was beloved for his worthy conduct in all theseRead
138138. The whole body of the people, upon a sudden impulse, and withRead
139139. To the physician Antonius Musa [196], who had cured him of aRead
140140. The kings, his friends and allies, built cities in their respectiveRead
141141. Having thus given an account of the manner in which he filled hisRead
142142. By Scribonia he had a daughter named Julia, but no children byRead
143143. But in the midst of all his joy and hopes in his numerous andRead
144144. He was cautious in forming friendships, but clung to them withRead
145145. As a patron and master, his behaviour in general was mild andRead
146146. In his early youth various aspersions of an infamous characterRead
147147. A private entertainment which he gave, commonly called the SupperRead
148148. With respect to the charge or imputation of loathsome impurityRead
149149. In other matters, it appears that he was moderate in his habits,Read
150150. His frugality in the furniture of his house appears even at thisRead
151151. At his table, which was always plentiful and elegant, heRead
152152. Festivals and holidays he usually celebrated very expensively, butRead
153153. He ate sparingly (for I must not omit even this), and commonlyRead
154154. He was by nature extremely sparing in the use of wine.Read
155155. After a slight repast at noon, he used to seek repose [230],Read
156156. In person he was handsome and graceful, through every period ofRead
157157. He is said to have been born with many spots upon his breast andRead
158158. During the whole course of his life, he suffered, at times,Read
159159. In winter, he was protected against the inclemency of theRead
160160. As soon as the civil wars were ended, he gave up riding andRead
161161. From early youth he devoted himself with great diligence andRead
162162. He composed many tracts in prose on various subjects, some ofRead
163163. He cultivated a style which was neat and chaste, avoidingRead
164164. In ordinary conversation, he made use of several peculiarRead
165165. He did not adhere strictly to orthography as laid down by theRead
166166. He was no less fond of the Greek literature, in which he madeRead
167167. We have the following account of him respecting his (136) belief inRead
168168. He neither slighted his own dreams nor those of other peopleRead
169169. Some signs and omens he regarded as infallible. If in the morningRead
170170. With regard to the religious ceremonies of foreign nations, heRead
171171. Since we are upon this subject, it may not be improper to give anRead
172172. After the death of Caesar, upon his return from Apollonia, as heRead
173173. He certainly had a presentiment of the issue of all his wars.Read
174174. His death, of which I shall now speak, and his subsequentRead
175175. His malady proceeded from diarrhoea; notwithstanding which, heRead
176176. Upon the day of his death, he now and then enquired, if there wasRead
177177. He expired in the same room in which his father Octavius had died,Read
178178. He had made a will a year and four months before his death, upon theRead
179179. Vipsanius Agrippa was of obscure extraction, but rendered himselfRead
180180. Cilnius Mecaenas was of Tuscan extraction, and derived his descentRead
181181. The patrician family of the Claudii (for there was a plebeian familyRead
182182. It appears from record, that many of the Claudii have performedRead
183183. From this family Tiberius Caesar is descended; indeed both by theRead
184184. But the father of Tiberius Caesar, being quaestor to Caius Caesar,Read
185185. Some have imagined that Tiberius was born at Fundi, but there is onlyRead
186186. His infancy and childhood were spent in the midst of danger andRead
187187. After assuming the manly habit, he spent his youth, and the rest ofRead
188188. When he first applied himself to civil affairs, he defended theRead
189189. He made his first campaign, as a military tribune, in the CantabrianRead
190190. Surrounded by all this prosperity, in the prime of life and inRead
191191. From Ostia, journeying along the coast of Campania, he halted awhileRead
192192. He therefore continued at Rhodes much against his will, obtaining,Read
193193. He laid aside likewise his usual exercises of riding and arms; andRead
194194. He returned to Rome after an absence of nearly eight years [315],Read
195195. Upon his return to Rome, having introduced his son Drusus into theRead
196196. The tribunitian authority was again conferred upon him for fiveRead
197197. The glory he acquired by these successes received an increase fromRead
198198. Next year he went again to Germany, where finding that the defeatRead
199199. He maintained the strictest discipline amongst the troops; revivingRead
200200. After two years, he returned from Germany to the city, andRead
201201. A law having been not long after carried by the consuls [324] forRead
202202. He did not make the death of Augustus public, until he had takenRead
203203. Having summoned the senate to meet by virtue of his tribunitianRead
204204. Though he made no scruple to assume and exercise immediately theRead
205205. The cause of his long demur was fear of the dangers whichRead
206206. When he was delivered from his apprehensions, his behaviour atRead
207207. He had such an aversion to flattery, that he would never sufferRead
208208. He remained unmoved at all the aspersions, scandalous reports,Read
209209. These things were so much the more remarkable in him, because, inRead
210210. He likewise introduced a certain show of liberty, by preserving toRead
211211. When some decrees were made contrary to his opinion, he did notRead
212212. He assumed the sovereignty [332] by slow degrees, and exercisedRead
213213. He reduced the expense of the plays and public spectacles, byRead
214214. Married women guilty of adultery, though not prosecuted publicly,Read
215215. He suppressed all foreign religions, and the Egyptian [334] andRead
216216. But, above all things, he was careful to keep the (216) publicRead
217217. He never set foot outside the gates of Rome, for two yearsRead
218218. But after the loss of his two sons, of whom Germanicus died inRead
219219. After he had gone round Campania, and dedicated the capitol atRead
220220. Returning to the island, he so far abandoned all care of theRead
221221. But having now the advantage of privacy, and being remote from theRead
222222. In his retreat at Capri [344], he also contrived an apartmentRead
223223. But he was still more infamous, if possible, for an (220)Read
224224. How much he was guilty of a most foul intercourse with women evenRead
225225. He was so niggardly and covetous, that he never allowed to hisRead
226226. During the whole time of his government, he never erected anyRead
227227. He displayed only two instances of public munificence. One wasRead
228228. In the course of a very short time, he turned his mind to sheerRead
229229. He first manifested hatred towards his own relations in the case ofRead
230230. He afterwards proceeded to an open rupture with her, and, as isRead
231231. He entertained no paternal affection either for his own son Drusus,Read
232232. He had by Germanicus three grandsons, Nero, Drusus, and Caius; andRead
233233. Besides his old friends and intimate acquaintance, he required theRead
234234. He treated with no greater leniency the Greeks in his family, evenRead
235235. About the same time, when the praetor consulted him, whether itRead
236236. Soon afterwards, he abandoned himself to every species of cruelty,Read
237237. Exasperated by information he received respecting the death of hisRead
238238. Amidst these enormities, in how much fear and apprehension, asRead
239239. He never removed his daughter-in-law, or grandsons [363], afterRead
240240. After Sejanus had plotted against him, though he saw that hisRead
241241. To the extreme anxiety of mind which he now experienced, he hadRead
242242. At last, being quite weary of himself, he acknowledged hisRead
243243. In person he was large and robust; of a stature somewhat aboveRead
244244. In regard to the gods, and matters of religion, he discovered muchRead
245245. Though he was ready and conversant with the Greek tongue, yet heRead
246246. During the whole time of his seclusion at Capri, twice only heRead
247247. Meanwhile, finding, upon looking over the acts of the senate,Read
248248. Upon his last birth-day, he had brought a full-sized statue ofRead
249249. The people were so much elated at his death, that when they firstRead
250250. He had made about two years before, duplicates of his will, oneRead
251251. Germanicus, the father of Caius Caesar, and son of Drusus and theRead
252252. It was a prevailing opinion, that he was taken off by theRead
253253. It is generally agreed, that Germanicus possessed all the noblestRead
254254. He reaped the fruit of his noble qualities in abundance, being soRead
255255. At the time of his death, however, and afterwards, they displayedRead
256256. At Rome, upon the first news of his sickness, the city was thrownRead
257257. Germanicus married Agrippina, the daughter of Marcus Agrippa andRead
258258. Caius Caesar was born on the day before the calends [31st August]Read
259259. It was to the jokes of the soldiers in the camp that he owed theRead
260260. He likewise attended his father in his expedition to Syria. AfterRead
261261. But he could not even then conceal his natural disposition toRead
262262. Not long afterwards, he married Junia Claudilla, the daughter ofRead
263263. Having thus secured the imperial power, he fulfilled by hisRead
264264. Immediately on his entering the city, by the joint acclamations ofRead
265265. Caligula himself inflamed this devotion, by practising all the artsRead
266266. The Spintriae, those panderers to unnatural lusts [404], heRead
267267. He held the consulship four times; the first [408], from theRead
268268. He exhibited some combats of gladiators, either in theRead
269269. He invented besides a new kind of spectacle, such as had never beenRead
270270. He likewise exhibited public diversions in Sicily, Grecian games atRead
271271. He completed the works which were left unfinished by Tiberius,Read
272272. Thus far we have spoken of him as a prince. What remains to beRead
273273. He was unwilling to be thought or called the grandson of Agrippa,Read
274274. He lived in the habit of incest with all his sisters; and atRead
275275. Whether in the marriage of his wives, in repudiating them, orRead
276276. It would be of little importance, as well as disgusting, to add toRead
277277. He evinced the savage barbarity of his temper chiefly by theRead
278278. Asking a certain person, whom he recalled after a long exile,Read
279279. He aggravated his barbarous actions by language equallyRead
280280. He generally prolonged the sufferings of his victims by causingRead
281281. He used also to complain aloud of the state of the times, becauseRead
282282. Even in the midst of his diversions, while gaming or feasting,Read
283283. In his behaviour towards men of almost all ages, he discovered aRead
284284. He took from the noblest persons in the city the ancient marks ofRead
285285. He never had the least regard either to the chastity of his ownRead
286286. In the devices of his profuse expenditure, he surpassed all theRead
287287. Having therefore quite exhausted these funds, and being in wantRead
288288. Having also sold in Gaul all the clothes, furniture, slaves, andRead
289289. These taxes being imposed, but the act by which they were leviedRead
290290. After the birth of his daughter, complaining of his (281) poverty,Read
291291. Only once in his life did he take an active part in militaryRead
292292. On arriving at the camp, in order to show himself an activeRead
293293. Soon after this, there being no hostilities, he ordered a fewRead
294294. At last, as if resolved to make war in earnest, he drew up hisRead
295295. In making preparations for his triumph, besides the prisoners andRead
296296. Before he left the province, he formed a design of the mostRead
297297. In his march he was waited upon by deputies from the senatorianRead
298298. He was tall, of a pale complexion, ill-shaped, his neck and legs veryRead
299299. To this crazy constitution of his mind may, I think, very justly beRead
300300. In the fashion of his clothes, shoes, and all the rest of hisRead
301301. With regard to the liberal sciences, he was little conversant inRead
302302. He also zealously applied himself to the practice of several otherRead
303303. Those for whom he once conceived a regard, he favoured even toRead
304304. In this frantic and savage career, numbers had formed designs forRead
305305. His approaching fate was indicated by many prodigies. The statueRead
306306. On the ninth of the calends of February [24th January], and aboutRead
307307. He lived twenty-nine years, and reigned three years, ten months,Read
308308. Of the miserable condition of those times, any person (292) mayRead
309309. Livia, having married Augustus when she was pregnant, was withinRead
310310. Claudius was born at Lyons, in the consulship of Julius Antonius,Read
311311. He applied himself, however, from an early age, with greatRead
312312. “I have had some conversation with Tiberius, according (298) to yourRead
313313. Upon his requesting some office in the state, Tiberius granted himRead
314314. Notwithstanding this sort of life, much respect was shown him bothRead
315315. At last, Caius [473], his brother’s son, upon his advancement toRead
316316. Still he was subjected to many slights. If at any time he came inRead
317317. He was not only exposed to contempt, but sometimes likewise toRead
318318. Having spent the greater part of his life under these and the likeRead
319319. Having thus established himself in power, his first object was toRead
320320. But with regard to his own aggrandisement, he was sparing andRead
321321. Conspiracies, however, were formed against him, not only byRead
322322. Besides his former consulship, he held the office afterwards fourRead
323323. But in hearing and determining causes, he exhibited a strangeRead
324324. He likewise assumed the censorship [494], which had beenRead
325325. He undertook only one expedition, and that was of short duration.Read
326326. He paid particular attention to the care of the city, and to haveRead
327327. During a scarcity of provisions, occasioned by bad crops forRead
328328. He completed some important public works, which, though notRead
329329. He often distributed largesses of corn and money among the people,Read
330330. With regard to religious ceremonies, the administration of affairsRead
331331. The courts of judicature, whose sittings had been formerlyRead
332332. He likewise granted the consular ornaments to his DucenarianRead
333333. His military organization of the equestrian order was this. AfterRead
334334. He was twice married at a very early age, first to Aemilia Lepida,Read
335335. He had children by three of his wives: by Urgulanilla, Drusus andRead
336336. Amongst his freedmen, the greatest favourite was the eunuchRead
337337. Being entirely governed by these freedmen, and, as I have alreadyRead
338338. Either standing or sitting, but especially when he lay asleep, heRead
339339. Though his health was very infirm during the former part of hisRead
340340. He gave entertainments as frequent as they were splendid, andRead
341341. He was always ready to eat and drink at any time or in anyRead
342342. His cruel and sanguinary disposition was exhibited upon great asRead
343343. But the characteristics most predominant in him were fear andRead
344344. Having heard some loose reports of conspiracies formed againstRead
345345. No suspicion was too trifling, no person on whom it rested tooRead
346346. Sensible of his being subject to passion and resentment, heRead
347347. Amongst other things, people admired in him his indifference andRead
348348. He frequently appeared so careless in what he said, and soRead
349349. By the encouragement of Titus Livius [542], and with the assistanceRead
350350. He applied himself with no less attention to the study of GrecianRead
351351. Towards the close of his life, he gave some manifest indicationsRead
352352. Soon afterwards he made his will, and had it signed by all theRead
353353. His death was kept secret until everything was settled relative toRead
354354. The chief presages of his death were, the appearance of a comet,Read
355355. Two celebrated families, the Calvini and Aenobarbi, sprung from theRead
356356. To begin, therefore, at a remote period, his great-grandfather’sRead
357357. He left a son, who was, without doubt, the best of the family. ByRead
358358. This Cneius had a son, named Domitius, who was afterwards well knownRead
359359. By the elder Antonia he had Nero’s father, a man of execrableRead
360360. Nero was born at Antium, nine months after the death of TiberiusRead
361361. When he was yet a mere boy, before he arrived at the age ofRead
362362. He was seventeen years of age at the death of that prince [567],Read
363363. He began his reign with an ostentation of dutiful regard to theRead
364364. To establish still further his character, he declared, “that heRead
365365. These games he beheld from the front of the proscenium. In theRead
366366. Amongst the spectacles presented by him, the solemn entrance ofRead
367367. He filled the consulship four times [575]: the first for twoRead
368368. In the administration of justice, he scarcely ever gave his decisionRead
369369. He devised a new style of building in the city, ordering piazzas toRead
370370. To prevent forgery, a method was then first invented, of havingRead
371371. He never entertained the least ambition or hope of augmenting andRead
372372. Twice only he undertook any foreign expeditions, one to Alexandria,Read
373373. Among the other liberal arts which he was taught in his youth, heRead
374374. At Rome also, being extremely proud of his singing, he ordered theRead
375375. He had from his childhood an extravagant passion for horses; andRead
376376. He afterwards appeared at the celebration of all public games inRead
377377. In these contests, he adhered so strictly to the rules, (354) thatRead
378378. On his return from Greece, arriving at Naples, because he hadRead
379379. Petulancy, lewdness, luxury, avarice, and cruelty, he practised atRead
380380. His vices gaining strength by degrees, he laid aside his jocularRead
381381. Besides the abuse of free-born lads, and the debauch of marriedRead
382382. He prostituted his own chastity to such a degree, that (358) afterRead
383383. He thought there was no other use of riches and money than toRead
384384. In nothing was he more prodigal than in his buildings. HeRead
385385. But being disappointed in his expectations of this resource, andRead
386386. He began the practice of parricide and murder with ClaudiusRead
387387. His mother being used to make strict inquiry into what he said orRead
388388. He had, besides Octavia, two other wives: Poppaea Sabina, whoseRead
389389. Nor did he proceed with less cruelty against those who were notRead
390390. From this period he butchered, without distinction or quarter,Read
391391. He spared, moreover, neither the people of Rome, nor theRead
392392. To these terrible and shameful calamities brought upon the peopleRead
393393. The world, after tolerating such an emperor for little less thanRead
394394. Being roused at last by numerous proclamations of Vindex, treatingRead
395395. Soon afterwards, he received intelligence that Galba and theRead
396396. At the first breaking out of these troubles, it is believed thatRead
397397. In preparing for this expedition, his first care was to provideRead
398398. The general odium in which he was held received an increase by theRead
399399. He was also terrified with manifest warnings, both old and new,Read
400400. Meanwhile, on the arrival of the news, that the rest of theRead
401401. But this furious impulse subsiding, he wished for some place ofRead
402402. All who surrounded him now pressing him to save himself from theRead
403403. The expenses of his funeral amounted to two hundred thousandRead
404404. In stature he was a little below the common height; his skin wasRead
405405. He was instructed, when a boy, in the rudiments of almost all theRead
406406. He had likewise great taste for drawing and painting, as well asRead
407407. Towards the end of his life, he publicly vowed, that if his powerRead
408408. He had an insatiable desire to immortalize his name, and acquire aRead
409409. He held all religious rites in contempt, except those of the SyrianRead
410410. He died in the thirty-second year of his age [637], upon the sameRead
411411. The race of the Caesars became extinct in Nero; an eventRead
412412. Nero was succeeded by Galba [642], who was not in the remotestRead
413413. To give even a short account of the whole family, would be tedious.Read
414414. The emperor Sergius Galba was born in the consulship of M. ValeriusRead
415415. Amongst other liberal studies, he applied himself to the law. HeRead
416416. Filling the great offices before the age required for it by law,Read
417417. Upon the news of Caius’s death, though many earnestly pressed himRead
418418. For his achievements, both at this time in Africa, and formerly inRead
419419. He governed the province during eight years, his administrationRead
420420. Taking his seat on the tribunal, therefore, as if there was no otherRead
421421. These dangers were followed by the death of Vindex, at which beingRead
422422. Rumours of his cruelty and avarice had reached the city before hisRead
423423. His arrival, therefore, in town was not very agreeable to theRead
424424. He possessed himself of the imperial power with more favour andRead
425425. It was thought that he likewise intended to reduce the offices heldRead
426426. By this conduct, he incurred the hatred of all orders of theRead
427427. Upon receiving intelligence of this, imagining that he wasRead
428428. Many remarkable prodigies had happened from the (412) veryRead
429429. The day before he was slain, as he was sacrificing in the morning,Read
430430. Some authors relate, that upon their first approach he cried out,Read
431431. In person he was of a good size, bald before, with blue eyes, andRead
432432. He is reported to have been a great eater, and usually took hisRead
433433. He perished in the seventy-third year of his age, and the seventhRead
434434. The ancestors of Otho were originally of the town of Ferentum, of anRead
435435. The emperor Otho was born upon the fourth of the calends of MayRead
436436. Having, by means of this woman, insinuated himself into all theRead
437437. As soon as an opportunity of revenge offered, he readily joined inRead
438438. He entertained hopes of being adopted by Galba, and expected it everyRead
439439. His first intention was, immediately after the departure of Piso, toRead
440440. Towards the close of the day, he entered the senate, and after heRead
441441. About the same time, the armies in Germany took an oath toRead
442442. Though it was the general opinion that it would be proper toRead
443443. My father, Suetonius Lenis [686], was in this battle, being at (424)Read
444444. And now being prepared, and just upon the point of dispatchingRead
445445. The person and appearance of Otho no way corresponded to the greatRead
446446. Very different accounts are given of the origin of the VitellianRead
447447. It is certain, however, that Publius Vitellius, of Nuceria, whetherRead
448448. He died of palsy, the day after his seizure with it, leaving behindRead
449449. In the subsequent part of his life, being still most scandalouslyRead
450450. By the favour of these three princes, he was not only advanced to theRead
451451. He took to wife Petronia, the daughter of a man of consular rank,Read
452452. He was sent by Galba into Lower Germany [704], contrary to hisRead
453453. After he had reached the camp, he denied no man any thing he askedRead
454454. Intelligence of Galba’s death arriving soon after, when he hadRead
455455. He heard of the victory at Bedriacum [707], and the death of Otho,Read
456456. At last he entered the City with trumpets sounding, in his general’sRead
457457. After such a commencement of his career, he conducted (435) hisRead
458458. He was chiefly addicted to the vices of luxury and cruelty. HeRead
459459. He delighted in the infliction of punishments, and even those whichRead
460460. In the eighth month of his reign, the troops both in Moesia andRead
461461. He advised the senate to send deputies, accompanied by the VestalRead
462462. By this time the forerunners of the enemy’s army had broken intoRead
463463. He perished with his brother and son [717], in the fifty-seventhRead
464464. The empire, which had been long thrown into a disturbed and unsettedRead
465465. Vespasian was born in the country of the Sabines, beyond Reate, in aRead
466466. Meanwhile, he married Flavia Domitilla, who had formerly been theRead
467467. After the deaths of Nero and Galba, whilst Otho and Vitellius wereRead
468468. Having, therefore, entered on a civil war, and sent forward hisRead
469469. Returning now to Rome, under these auspices, and with a greatRead
470470. He likewise erected several new public buildings, namely, the templeRead
471471. The business of the courts had prodigiously accumulated, partly fromRead
472472. Lust and luxury, from the licence which had long prevailed, had alsoRead
473473. In other affairs, from the beginning to the end of his government,Read
474474. He bore with great mildness the freedom used by his friends, theRead
475475. He was little disposed to keep up the memory of affronts orRead
476476. It will scarcely be found, that so much as one innocent personRead
477477. The only thing deservedly blameable in his character was his loveRead
478478. His liberality, however, to all ranks of people, was excessive.Read
479479. He was a great encourager of learning and the liberal arts. HeRead
480480. In the games celebrated when the stage-scenery of (458) the theatreRead
481481. He was broad-set, strong-limbed, and his features gave the idea of aRead
482482. His method of life was commonly this. After he became emperor, heRead
483483. At supper, and, indeed, at other times, he was extremely free andRead
484484. He used Greek verses very wittily; speaking of a tall man, whoRead
485485. In his ninth consulship, being seized, while in Campania, with aRead
486486. All are agreed that he had such confidence in the calculations onRead
487487. VALERIUS FLACCUS wrote a poem in eight books, on the Expedition of theRead
488488. Titus, who had the same cognomen with his father, was the darling andRead
489489. He was educated in the palace with Britannicus, and instructed inRead
490490. He filled with distinction the rank of a military tribune both inRead
491491. Soon afterwards, when Galba came to be emperor, he was sent toRead
492492. From that time he constantly acted as colleague with his father,Read
493493. Besides his cruelty, he lay under the suspicion of giving (469) wayRead
494494. Having declared that he accepted the office of Pontifex Maximus forRead
495495. Amidst all these favourable circumstances, he was cut off by anRead
496496. He died in the same villa where his father had died (474) beforeRead
497497. Domitian was born upon the ninth of the calends of November [24thRead
498498. He likewise designed an expedition into Gaul and Germany [799],Read
499499. In the beginning of his reign, he used to spend daily an hour byRead
500500. He frequently entertained the people with most magnificent andRead
501501. He rebuilt many noble edifices which had been destroyed by fire, andRead
502502. He undertook several expeditions, some from choice, and some fromRead
503503. He made many innovations in common practices. He abolished theRead
504504. In the administration of justice he was diligent and assiduous;Read
505505. Upon his first succeeding to power, he felt such an abhorrence forRead
506506. But he did not long persevere in this course of clemency and justice,Read
507507. His cruelties were not only excessive, but subtle and unexpected.Read
508508. Having exhausted the exchequer by the expense of his buildings andRead
509509. After he became emperor, he had the assurance to boast in theRead
510510. Becoming by these means universally feared and odious, he was atRead
511511. His last victim was Flavius Clemens [832], his cousin-german, a manRead
512512. The day before his death, he ordered some dates [835], served up atRead
513513. Concerning the contrivance and mode of his death, the commonRead
514514. He was tall in stature, his face modest, and very ruddy; he hadRead
515515. He so shrunk from undergoing fatigue, that he scarcely ever walkedRead
516516. In the beginning of his reign, he gave up the study of the liberalRead
517517. “The lot of princes,” he remarked, “was very miserable, for no oneRead
518518. He was insatiable in his lusts, calling frequent commerce withRead
519519. The people shewed little concern at his death, but the soldiersRead
520520. The science of grammar [842] was in ancient times far from being inRead
521521. Crates of Mallos [847], then, was, in our opinion, the first whoRead
522522. Lucius Aelius had a double cognomen, for he was called Praeconius,Read
523523. The appellation of grammarian was borrowed from the Greeks; but atRead
524524. SAEVIUS [858] NICANOR first acquired fame and reputation by hisRead
525525. AURELIUS OPILIUS [859], the freedman of some Epicurean, first taughtRead
526526. MARCUS ANTONIUS GNIPHO [860], a free-born native of Gaul, wasRead
527527. M. POMPILIUS ANDRONICUS, a native of Syria, while he professed toRead
528528. ORBILIUS PUPILLUS, of Beneventum, being left an orphan, by the deathRead
529529. ATTEIUS, THE PHILOLOGIST, a freedman, was born at Athens. Of him,Read
530530. VALERIUS CATO was, as some have informed us, the freedman of oneRead
531531. CORNELIUS EPICADIUS, a freedman of Lucius Cornelius Sylla, theRead
532532. LABERIUS HIERA was bought by his master out of a slave-dealer’sRead
533533. CURTIUS NICIA was the intimate friend of Cneius Pompeius and CaiusRead
534534. LENAEUS was a freedman of Pompey the Great, and attended him in mostRead
535535. QUINTUS CAECILIUS, an Epirot by descent, but born at Tusculum, wasRead
536536. VERRIUS FLACCUS [887], a freedman, distinguished himself by a newRead
537537. LUCIUS CRASSITIUS, a native of Tarentum, and in rank a freedman,Read
538538. SCRIBONIUS APHRODISIUS, the slave and disciple of Orbilius, who wasRead
539539. C. JULIUS HYGINUS, a freedman of Augustus, was a native of Spain,Read
540540. CAIUS MELISSUS [893], a native of Spoletum, was free-born, butRead
541541. MARCUS POMPONIUS MARCELLUS, a very severe critic of the LatinRead
542542. REMMIUS PALAEMON [898], of Vicentia [899], the offspring of aRead
543543. MARCUS VALERIUS PROBUS, of Berytus [903], after long aspiring toRead
544544. Rhetoric, also, as well as Grammar, was not introduced amongst usRead
545545. LUCIUS PLOTIUS GALLUS. Of him Marcus Tullius Cicero thus writes toRead
546546. LUCIUS OCTACILIUS PILITUS is said to have been a slave, and,Read
547547. About this time, EPIDIUS [913] having fallen into disgrace forRead
548548. SEXTUS CLODIUS, a native of Sicily, a professor both of Greek andRead
549549. CAIUS ALBUTIUS SILUS, of Novara [921], while, in the execution (529)Read
550550. JUNIUS JUVENALIS, who was either the son [944] of a wealthy freedman,Read
551551. AGRIPPA. L. F. COS: TERTIUM. FECIT.Read
552552. Caius; D. Decimus: sometimes with two letters; as Ap. for Appius; Cn.Read

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