In 121 AD, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus wrote a set of twelve biographies while serving as secretary to Emperor Hadrian. He dedicated the work to his friend Gaius Septicius Clarus, who held the title of praetorian prefect at that time. The political climate of Rome in the early second century shaped how Suetonius approached his subject matter. He wrote during a period when the Senate and emperor often clashed over power and authority. Suetonius lost access to official imperial archives shortly after beginning his research. This loss forced him to rely on hearsay and secondhand accounts for many details about earlier emperors. His position as a secretary gave him insider knowledge but also limited his ability to verify facts from state records. The work became an enduring primary source for scholars studying Roman history.
Biographical Methodology And Bias
Suetonius relied heavily on gossip and rumors rather than official documents when writing about the Caesars. Modern historians criticize the book for being racy and overly reliant on hearsay. He included subjective opinions within what appeared to be objective historical knowledge. At times he omitted important events without explanation. Although he never served as a senator himself, Suetonius took the side of the Senate in most conflicts with the princeps. This resulted in both conscious and unconscious biases throughout the text. He did not quote the emperor Claudius directly because he lacked access to official letters. Despite these flaws, scholars agree the collection provides valuable information on personal habits and physical appearance. The inclusion of minute details makes it unique among contemporary Roman histories. Some sources like Tacitus' Annals are now lost, making Suetonius the major source for certain emperors.