Suetonius

Suetonius (c. 69 AD – after 122 AD), formally Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, was a Roman historian and biographer who served as secretary to Emperor Hadrian. He is best known for his work De Vita Caesarum (The Lives of the Caesars), a collection of biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domitian.

De Vita Caesarum is a significant historical source, although it is important to note that it is not strictly a history in the modern sense. Suetonius' primary focus was on the personal lives and characteristics of the emperors, often including anecdotes, scandals, and physical descriptions alongside historical events. While valuable for understanding the personalities and court life of the Roman emperors, the work is sometimes criticized for its sensationalism and potential biases.

Beyond De Vita Caesarum, Suetonius also wrote on other subjects, including Roman grammarians, rhetoricians, poets, and orators. Fragments of these other works survive, offering insights into Roman literary culture. His work provides a valuable, though often subjective, glimpse into the lives and times of some of the most influential figures in Roman history. While his accuracy is sometimes debated, his writings remain a key resource for historians studying the early Roman Empire.