Suetonius
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius, was a Roman biographer and historian born around 69 CE, potentially in Rome, Britain, or Africa. He received education in Rome, where he developed skills in law and rhetoric. Notably, Suetonius served as the private secretary to Emperor Hadrian but fell out of favor due to personal issues during Hadrian's time in Britain. His significant contribution to literature lies in his historical biographies, where he compiled anecdotes about notable figures, prioritizing engaging narratives over strict accuracy. Suetonius grouped his works thematically rather than chronologically, providing insights into the personalities and traits of his subjects, particularly in his famous collection, "The Twelve Caesars." His relatively unbiased and detached writing style has influenced many biographers throughout history. Suetonius's works remain a crucial resource for understanding the Roman Imperial period and the influential figures of that time. He is believed to have passed away in Rome sometime after 122 CE, likely around 140 CE.
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Subject Terms
Suetonius
Roman biographer
- Born: c. 69 c.e.
- Birthplace: Possibly Rome (now in Italy)
- Died: After 122 c.e.
- Place of death: Possibly Rome (now in Italy)
Biography
Because his father was military tribune of the XIII Legion, Gaius Suetonius (sew-TOH-nee-uhs) Tranquillus may have been born in Rome, Britain, or Africa; the year was around 69 c.e. He studied in Rome and became a lawyer and teacher of rhetoric. He also traveled widely. He accompanied Governor Pliny (Pliny the Younger) to Bithynia in 112. He also served for a time (119-121) as private secretary to Emperor Hadrian, but he lost favor, apparently for inattention to Empress Sabina while Hadrian was in Britain. {$S[A]Tranquillus, Gaius Suetonius;Suetonius}{$S[A]Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus;Suetonius}
Suetonius’s fame rests on his historical biographies of famous men. He collected anecdotes about figures in the public eye and set them down with more attention to their interest than to their accuracy. He eschewed a straight chronological method, grouping his material by subject and personality traits. He made little attempt at general assessment or psychological interpretation, but his stories about Horace and Terence, among others, and his private lives of the twelve caesars cover ground untouched by any contemporary except Tacitus and Dio Cassius. His approach is relatively free of bias and his tone one of detachment. Many later biographers took him as a model, including Einhard (in his ninth century biography of Charlemagne). Suetonius wrote about some of the most fascinating figures—as well as about one of the most important formative eras—in the Western tradition. His work therefore is an invaluable source for scholars of the Roman Imperial period. It is believed that he died in Rome sometime after 122, perhaps about 140.
Bibliography
Baldwin, Barry. Suetonius: The Biographer of the Caesars. Amsterdam: A. M. Hakkert, 1983.
Bradley, K. R. Suetonius’ Life of Nero: An Historical Commentary. Brussels: Latorus, 1978.
Hurley, Donna W. A Historical and Historiographical Commentary on Suetonius’ Life of C. Caligula. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1993.
Jones, Brian W. “Suetonius.” In The Flavian Emperors: A Historical Commentary. Bristol, England: Bristol Classical, 2002.
Kaster, Robert A. Studies on the Text of Suetonius, “De grammaticis et rhetoribus.” Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1992.
Lounsbury, R. C. The Arts of Suetonius: An Introduction. New York: P. Lang, 1987.
Suetonius. Suetonius. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1998.
Wallace-Hadrill, Andrew. Suetonius: The Scholar and His Caesars. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1984.
Wardle, D. Suetonius’ Life of Caligula: A Commentary. Brussels: Latomus, 1994.