Suetonius

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius, was born around 69 CE, likely in Hippo Regius (modern-day Algeria). He served as a secretary to Emperor Hadrian, which gave him access to imperial archives. His major surviving work, "The Lives of the Caesars" ("De Vita Caesarum"), comprises twelve biographies of Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Written in a clear, anecdotal style, the work blends political history with personal details, offering vivid portraits of the emperors' characters, habits, and administrative actions. Suetonius also wrote other works, now mostly lost, on topics ranging from Roman customs to literary figures. His biographical method influenced later historians, including Plutarch and medieval chroniclers. "The Lives of the Caesars" remains a crucial source for understanding the early Roman Empire, valued for its directness and wealth of detail.