

#2136
Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars
Book • 1937
This work, written in AD 121, is a comprehensive biographical account of the Roman emperors from Julius Caesar to Domitian.
Suetonius provides detailed narratives of their lives, including their personal habits, political actions, and the moral lessons that can be drawn from their reigns.
The book is notable for its candid and often unflattering portrayal of these powerful men, highlighting the corrupting influence of absolute power and the moral decadence that accompanied the decline of the Roman Empire.
Suetonius provides detailed narratives of their lives, including their personal habits, political actions, and the moral lessons that can be drawn from their reigns.
The book is notable for its candid and often unflattering portrayal of these powerful men, highlighting the corrupting influence of absolute power and the moral decadence that accompanied the decline of the Roman Empire.
Mentioned by















Mentioned in 13 episodes
Mentioned by 

and 

as the author of "The Lives of the Caesars", a seminal biography of Roman emperors.


Tom Holland


Dominic Sandbrook

497 snips
534. Emperors of Rome: Sex Secrets of the Caesars (Part 1)
Mentioned by 

and 

as the source for their discussion of Claudius's life and reign.


Tom Holland


Dominic Sandbrook

325 snips
537. Emperors of Rome: Claudius, Paranoia and Poison (Part 4)
Mentioned when discussing the Roman biographer Suetonius.

323 snips
523. Charlemagne: Return of the Kings (Part 1)
Mentioned by 

and 

throughout the episode as the primary source for information about Tiberius, though its reliability is questioned.


Dominic Sandbrook


Tom Holland

274 snips
535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)
Mentioned by 

and 

as the primary source for the biography of Caligula, shaping the stereotypical image of the emperor.


Tom Holland


Dominic Sandbrook

251 snips
536. Emperors of Rome: Caligula, Incest and Insanity (Part 3)
Mentioned by 

as a new translation coming out in April.


Sam Harris

156 snips
#406 — The Legacy of Christianity
Mentioned by Barry Strauss when discussing the chronological scope of his book Ten Caesars.

156 snips
The Roman Caesars' Guide to Ruling
Mentioned by 

as a new translation by 

coming out in April.


Sam Harris


Tom Holland

57 snips
#406 - The Legacy of Christianity
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a source of information about the Roman emperors, highlighting their corrupt and autocratic nature.

Mary Beard

47 snips
105. Classics
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book that sparked his interest in Roman history.

Chris Johnson

24 snips
Ep. 255: Chris Johnson on Trump vs China
Mentioned by 

and 

when discussing ancient Roman history and the biases of historical sources.


Tom Holland


Rob Attar

23 snips
Rome's most scandalous emperors
Recommended by ![undefined]()

as a new translation of a book that shaped our sense of imperial Rome.

Tom Sutcliffe

Writing and rewriting history
Recommended by ![undefined]()

as a beach read, in a new translation by Tom Holland.

Finn McRedmond

The New Statesman’s ultimate beach reads
Mentioned by 

as a source for understanding Roman emperors.


Ryan Holiday

Power Doesn’t Corrupt, It Reveals
Mentioned by 

as a new translation by 

coming out in April.


Sam Harris


Tom Holland

#406 - The Legacy of Christianity
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as an example of biographical history, similar to Vasari's, focusing on personal stories.

Noah Charney

Vasari: Inventor of Artistic Genius