The Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius (speld decodable readers .txt) 📕
Description
Suetonius was a Roman historian born in about 69 AD, shortly after the death of the emperor Nero. This book, detailing the lives of the twelve Roman emperors who were known as “Caesar”—some by a family connection to Julius Caesar, some just as a title—is considered to be Suetonius’ most important work.
The Lives of the Caesars is a detailed account of the often dramatic lives of these emperors, whose abilities and morals varied enormously; from the capable, stable Augustus, to the insane Caligula. Several of these men died violently either by their own hand or by assassins. Suetonius, though, is careful to give credit where it is due, outlining the better actions and laws of each alongside an account of the crimes and immoralities they also carried out.
This turbulent period of Roman history has often been depicted in fiction and in media, drawing on the work of Suetonius and other contemporary historians. For example, Robert Graves’ novel I, Claudius (1934), which was made into a highly-controversial television series by the BBC in 1976.
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- Author: Suetonius
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There is obviously a pun on Galli, “Gauls,” and galli, “cocks,” and on cantare in the sense of “sing” and of “crow.” ↩
Punning of course on Vindex, the leader of the revolt. ↩
On the first of January, for the prosperity of the emperor and the State. ↩
Of course used in a double sense. ↩
Pliny Natural History 37.29, tells us that the cups were of crystal. ↩
Virgil Aeneid 12.646. ↩
In the Palace. ↩
See Nero, 30.2. ↩
The word percussor implies experience in dealing death. Nero wished to be killed swiftly and painlessly. ↩
Referring to a drink of his own contrivance, distilled water cooled in snow; cf. Pliny Natural History 31.40. ↩
Cella implies a small room, for the use of slaves. ↩
The water was for washing the corpse and the fire for burning it. ↩
Cf. Claudius, 34.1. ↩
Two pieces of wood, fastened together in the form of a V. ↩
Iliad, 10.535. ↩
See Domitian, 14.4. ↩
See Galba, 14.2. ↩
The modern Pincio. ↩
This synthesina (sc. vestis), or synthesis, was a loose robe of bright-coloured silk, worn at dinner, during the Saturnalia, and by women at other times. Nero’s is described by Dio, 63.13, as “a short, flowered tunic with a muslin collar.” ↩
Probably meaning “in slippers.” ↩
See note on Augustus, 97.1. Here lustrum is applied to the five-year period of the Olympic games. ↩
Atargatis, the principal deity of Northern Syria, identified with Magna Mater and Caelestis; often mentioned in inscriptions and called by Apul. Metamorphoses 8.25, omnipotens et omniparens. ↩
See note on Tiberius, 4.2. ↩
In 88, Terentius Maximus by name; another pseudo-Nero had appeared in 70; see Tacitus Histories 2.8. ↩
Nero was the last who bore the name because of connection with the family of Augustus; after him it became a designation of rank. ↩
“The Hen Roost.” ↩
Those which they carried in their triumph, according to Pliny, Natural History 15.136 f. ↩
No such temple is known. ↩
No existing inscription confirms this statement. ↩
That is, of those of the Sulpicii who bore the surname Galba. ↩
The gum of a Syrian plant; see Pliny Natural History 12.126. ↩
See Nero, 3.1. ↩
That is, after his consulship. Tiberius doubtless suspected him of a desire to enrich himself at the expense of the provincials; cf. Tiberius, 32.2, at the end. ↩
The usual procedure, to avert the evil omen. ↩
Proverbial for “never,” like the Greek Kalends (Augustus, 87.1). ↩
To marry and rear a family was regarded as one of the duties of a good citizen. ↩
Cf. Nero, 11.2. ↩
That is to say, entering office on January 1, and with his colleague, L. Cornelius Sulla, giving his name to the year. ↩
Either Suetonius is in error or the manuscripts; the name should be Gnaeus. ↩
See Caligula, 43 and 44. ↩
Cf. Caligula, 26.2. ↩
Except in special cases, the governors were appointed by lot from among those who were eligible. ↩
The modius was 8.75 litres. ↩
See note on Julius, 79.3. ↩
The sodales Titii were an ancient priesthood of uncertain origin. The tradition arose that they were established to keep up the ancient Sabine worship, and named from Titus Tatius. ↩
See note on Claudius, 6.2. ↩
So as to be able to leave the country on short notice. ↩
See note on Claudius, 24.1. ↩
Such predictions, like the responses of oracles, were in verse. ↩
Instead of the emperor, as heretofore. ↩
Evocati were soldiers who, after serving their time, were invited to continue their service. It is here an honorary title. ↩
See note on Julius, 33. ↩
See Galba, 10.1. ↩
See note on Galba, 1. ↩
See note on Claudius, 24.1. ↩
Cf. Augustus, 24.2; Caligula, 48.1. ↩
Cf. Augustus, 49.1; Caligula, 58.3. ↩
Doubtless many of them were false or exaggerated. Galba’s frugality was naturally regarded as stinginess by a people accustomed to a prince like Nero; see Nero, 31.1. ↩
Plutarch, Galba, XVI, gives the story quite a different aspect, saying that the gift was of gold pieces, and that Galba said that it came from his own pocket, and not from the public funds. ↩
The text is uncertain, but obviously the song ridiculed a stingy old countryman. ↩
Cf. the inimitable sentence of Tacitus (Histories 1.49) maior privatus visus, dum privatus, et omnium
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