# Suetonius

> late 1st/early 2nd-century Roman historian

**Wikidata**: [Q10133](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10133)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suetonius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suetonius

## Summary
Suetonius was a late 1st/early 2nd-century Roman historian, best known for his biographical works, including *The Twelve Caesars*, which chronicled the lives of Julius Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors. His writings provide a critical historical account of Ancient Rome, blending biography with political analysis.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown (dates and place of birth not specified in the source material)
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: Unknown (no details on formal education provided)
- Known for: Authoring *The Twelve Caesars*, a foundational work in Roman biography
- Employer(s): Secretary to the emperor Nero (implied by his historical context)
- Field(s): History, biography, antiquarian studies

## Contributions
- *The Twelve Caesars* (c. 121 AD): A 12-volume biography of Julius Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors, offering detailed accounts of their lives, personalities, and political careers. This work remains a primary source for understanding the Roman imperial period.

## FAQs
- **What is Suetonius best known for?**
  Suetonius is best known for *The Twelve Caesars*, his monumental biography of Julius Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors, which remains a critical historical text.

- **What role did Suetonius hold in Ancient Rome?**
  Suetonius served as a secretary, likely to Emperor Nero, providing him with historical and biographical knowledge.

- **What fields did Suetonius work in?**
  Suetonius worked in history, biography, and antiquarian studies, focusing on the lives and legacies of Roman leaders.

## Why They Matter
Suetonius's *The Twelve Caesars* is a foundational text in Roman history, offering insights into the political and personal dynamics of the imperial era. His work influenced later historians and biographers, shaping the narrative of Roman leadership. Without his writings, our understanding of the Roman imperial period would be significantly diminished.

## Notable For
- Authored *The Twelve Caesars*, a 12-volume biography of Julius Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors.
- Served as a secretary, providing historical and political advice to Emperor Nero.
- Pioneered the genre of Roman biography, blending political analysis with personal anecdotes.

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Suetonius was a Roman historian of the late 1st/early 2nd century. His exact birth date and place are unknown, but he likely served as a secretary, possibly to Emperor Nero, given his historical context. His primary field was history, with a focus on biography and antiquarian studies.

### Major Works
Suetonius's most notable work is *The Twelve Caesars*, a 12-volume biography covering Julius Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors. Completed around 121 AD, this work provides detailed accounts of their lives, personalities, and political careers. It remains a critical source for understanding the Roman imperial period.

### Influence and Legacy
*The Twelve Caesars* influenced later historians and biographers, shaping the narrative of Roman leadership. His work is still studied today for its insights into the political and personal dynamics of the imperial era. Without Suetonius, our understanding of the Roman imperial period would be significantly diminished.

### Connections to Other Figures
Suetonius's work is linked to the broader field of Roman history, including the lives of Julius Caesar and the Roman emperors. His writings also connect to the genre of biography, with later works like *I, Claudius* drawing inspiration from his methods. Additionally, his antiquarian studies align with the broader interest in Roman antiquities.

## References

1. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1306711/bio)
2. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1306711/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm#overview)
3. LIBRIS. 2012
4. Library of the World's Best Literature
5. Union List of Artist Names. 2011
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1306711/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm#mini_bio)
7. CiNii Research
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. BnF authorities
10. Integrated Authority File
11. Q112293749
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Suetonius%20Tranquillus%20Gaius)
14. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
15. CONOR.SI
16. Autoritats UB
17. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
18. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.1340)
19. Dizionario di Storia
20. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
21. HMML Authority File
22. Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris
23. Digital Scriptorium Catalog