Historical story

Suetonius point of view on Caesar?

Suetonius, a Roman historian of the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD, wrote an extensive biography of Julius Caesar as part of his work "The Twelve Caesars". Suetonius presents a complex and multi-dimensional view of Caesar, highlighting both his great accomplishments and his personal flaws.

On the one hand, Suetonius acknowledges Caesar's military genius, political acumen, and charisma. He depicts Caesar as a natural leader, brave and skilled in warfare, who achieved remarkable victories. Suetonius emphasizes Caesar's popularity among the common people, his efforts to reform the Roman legal system, and his grand construction projects. He also paints a picture of Caesar as a compassionate and forgiving ruler, who sought to reconcile conflicting factions in the Roman Republic.

At the same time, Suetonius does not shy away from exposing Caesar's flaws and personal vices. He criticizes Caesar's lavish lifestyle, his indulgence in luxury, and his supposed arrogance and haughtiness. Suetonius presents him as ambitious, ruthlessly pursuing power, even to the point of disregarding republican traditions and institutions. He does not overlook the negative consequences of Caesar's actions, including the civil wars and political instability that marked the latter years of the Roman Republic.

To summarize, Suetonius' portrayal of Caesar is nuanced, acknowledging both his positive qualities and negative characteristics. Suetonius portrays him as a charismatic and accomplished leader but also cautions about his excesses and the far-reaching consequences of his ambition.