# Endnotes explained — The Lives of the Caesars > Chapter companion for The Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius. ## What happens This chapter provides extensive endnotes and annotations for the main text, offering clarifications, cross-references, and historical context on various events, customs, and figures mentioned throughout the book. It includes explanations of Roman practices such as gladiatorial games, religious rites, legal procedures, and architectural landmarks, as well as notes on specific passages about emperors like Domitian, Vespasian, Titus, and Nero. ## Themes in this chapter ### Dynastic Legacy and Family The endnotes frequently reference the Flavian dynasty, including Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, and their building projects and deification. ### Public Image and Propaganda Notes discuss Domitian's triumphs, the construction of public buildings like the Colosseum, and the use of games and spectacles to shape public perception. ### Political Intrigue and Violence References to Domitian's charges, the assassination of emperors, and the use of violence in Roman politics are present in the notes. ## Character check-ins ### Domitian Referenced multiple times in endnotes regarding his reign, building projects, and policies. ### Vespasian Mentioned in notes about his homestead, reign, and the Flavian dynasty. ### Titus Noted for his abilities, building projects, and the tax on Jews. ### Nero Referenced in notes about his reign, the great fire, and his statue. ### Claudius Mentioned in notes about his policies, building projects, and reign. ### Julius Caesar Referenced in notes about his campaign in Gaul and his role as aedile. ### Augustus Mentioned in notes about his reign, laws, and building projects. ### Caligula Referenced in notes about his reign and building projects. ## Key lines > To propitiate the gods, who were supposed to inflict such evils upon mankind by way of punishment. To appease the gods, who were believed to send disasters as punishment. _Explanation of the purpose of religious rites during calamities._ > The weapons of gladiators were regularly examined by the editor , or giver of the games, to see if they were sharp enough; cf. Dio, 68.3, who tells a similar story of the emperor Nerva. The sponsor of the games routinely checked gladiators' weapons for sharpness, as also noted by Dio about Emperor Nerva. _Clarification of gladiatorial weapon inspection practices._ > The old homestead at Cutiliae, near Reate; see Vespasian, 24. The family estate at Cutiliae, near Reate, as referenced in the life of Vespasian. _Geographical note on Vespasian's birthplace._ > Ad Malum Punicum was a street on the Quirinal hill, probably corresponding with the modern Via delle Quattro Fontane; see Platner, Topography of Rome , p. 485. Ad Malum Punicum was a street on the Quirinal Hill, likely the same as today's Via delle Quattro Fontane. _Identification of an ancient Roman street._ > He was but eighteen years old at the time. He was only eighteen years old then. _Note on the young age of a prince at a certain event._ > The usual procedure for a youthful prince; cf. Tiberius, 6.4. This was the standard practice for a young prince, as seen in Tiberius's biography. _Explanation of a common practice for young Roman princes._ > Titus had the ability to do this; cf. Titus, 3.2 , at the end. Titus was capable of this, as noted in his biography. _Reference to Titus's skill or talent._ > Established for the worship of the deified Flavian emperors, after the manner of the Augustales; see note on Claudius, 6.2. Founded for the veneration of the deified Flavian emperors, similar to the Augustales priesthood. _Explanation of the Flavian priesthood for emperor worship._ > While the spectators remained in their seats; cf. Dio, 67.4. While the audience stayed seated, as Dio records. _Note on spectator behavior during games._ > In 80; it had previously been destroyed by fire in 69; see Vitellius, 15.3. In 80 AD; it had earlier burned down in 69 AD, as noted in Vitellius's biography. _Chronological note on a building's destruction and reconstruction._ > Tacitus Agricola 39 says that his unjustified triumph over the Germans (and the Dacians) was a laughingstock. Tacitus in the Agricola states that his undeserved triumph over the Germans and Dacians was mocked. _Reference to criticism of a triumph._ > That is, raised the amount from nine to twelve aurei . The aureus contained 100 sesterces and was equal to a little over a pound sterling, or five dollars. This means the amount was increased from nine to twelve aurei. An aureus was worth 100 sesterces, roughly a pound sterling or five dollars. _Explanation of Roman currency values._ > De nefanda Venere. Concerning illicit love. _Latin phrase referring to a topic of Domitian's legislation._ > Georgicon 2.537. From Virgil's Georgics, book 2, line 537. _Citation of a classical source._ > Iliad, 2.204. From Homer's Iliad, book 2, line 204. _Citation of a classical source._ > Pulvinar here means the couch for the images of the gods; cf. Augustus, 45.1. Pulvinar here refers to the couch for divine statues, as in Augustus's biography. _Definition of a religious term._ > July 11; according to Tacitus Histories 2.79, it was the fifth day before the Nones, July 3. July 11; but Tacitus in the Histories gives the date as July 3. _Discrepancy in dating an event._ > The strategic importance of Egypt is shown by Tacitus Annals 2.59; see Julius, 35.1 (at the end); Augustus, 18.2. Egypt's strategic significance is demonstrated by Tacitus and in the biographies of Julius Caesar and Augustus. _Note on Egypt's importance to Rome._ > The freedman’s name, connected with Greek βασιλεύς , “king,” was an additional omen. The freedman's name, derived from the Greek word for 'king,' was seen as an extra omen. _Explanation of a name's symbolic meaning._ > They were stationed at Ostia and Puteoli as a fire brigade (see Claudius, 25.2 ), and the various divisions were on duty now in one town, now in the other, and again in Rome. They were posted at Ostia and Puteoli as firefighters, rotating between those towns and Rome. _Description of the fire brigade's deployment._ > Literally, “on his own neck;” in a basket. Literally 'on his own neck,' meaning in a basket. _Literal translation of a Latin phrase._ > The Colosseum, known as the Flavian amphitheatre until the Middle Ages. The Colosseum was called the Flavian Amphitheatre until the medieval period. _Historical name of the Colosseum._ > That is, a citizen could return the abuse of another citizen, regardless of their respective ranks. This means a citizen could retaliate against insults from another citizen, irrespective of social status. _Explanation of a Roman legal principle._ > In the legal sense; filii familiarum were sons who were still under the control of their fathers, regardless of their age; cf. Tiberius, 15.2. In legal terms, 'sons of the household' were sons still under paternal authority, no matter their age. _Definition of a Roman legal term._ > His tribunician power was reckoned from July 1, 69, the day when he was proclaimed emperor by the army. The meaning of the sentence is not clear. His tribunician power was dated from July 1, 69, when the army declared him emperor. The sentence's meaning is uncertain. _Note on the start of an emperor's tribunician power._ > He boasted that the rule had been at his disposal and that he had given it to Vespasian; see Tacitus Histories 4.4. He claimed that imperial power was his to give and that he had bestowed it upon Vespasian. _Reference to a political boast._ > A made-up name from morbus , “illness;” the expression is equivalent to “go to the devil.” A fabricated name derived from the word for 'illness,' meaning something like 'go to hell.' _Explanation of a derogatory term._ > Cogere ( redigere ) in ordinem is used of one who resists or does not show proper respect to a magistrate; that is, attempts to reduce him to the level of an ordinary citizen. It seems to have been originally a military expression. The phrase 'to bring into order' refers to someone who defies a magistrate, trying to reduce him to a common citizen; it likely originated as a military term. _Definition of a Latin idiom._ > This had been increased to 1,200,000 sesterces by Augustus. Augustus had raised this to 1,200,000 sesterces. _Note on a financial threshold set by Augustus._ > Doubtless referring to the statue of Venus consecrated by Vespasian in his temple of Peace, the sculptor of which, according to Pliny, was unknown. The Venus of Cos was the work of Praxiteles. This likely refers to the Venus statue dedicated by Vespasian in the Temple of Peace, whose sculptor was unknown, unlike the Venus of Cos by Praxiteles. _Identification of a famous statue._ > The colossal statue of Nero; see Nero, 31.1. The giant statue of Nero, as described in his biography. _Reference to Nero's colossal statue._ > The Matronalia or feast of married women; see Horace Odes , 3.8.1. The Matronalia, a festival for married women, as mentioned by Horace. _Explanation of a Roman festival._ > A transliterated Greek word, κυβιοσάκτης , meaning “dealer in square pieces ( κύβοι ) of salt fish.” A Greek-derived word meaning 'seller of cubed salt fish.' _Definition of a Greek loanword._ > According to Celsus, 2.1, quadratum is applied to a well-proportioned body, neither slender nor fat. Celsus uses 'quadratum' to describe a well-built body, neither thin nor overweight. _Definition of a Latin term for body type._ > Cf. Macrobius, Saturn 2.1.9, impudica et praetextata verba ; Gellius, Noctes Atticae 9.10.4, non praetextatis sed puris honestisque verbis . Various explanations of the term are given. It perhaps means words such as boys use; but see Festus, s.v. praetextum sermonem. Macrobius and Gellius discuss 'praetextata verba'; it may mean words used by boys, but see Festus for more. _Discussion of a Latin phrase meaning 'improper words.'_ > Plaustra was the urban form of the word for “wagons,” but there was also a plebeian form plostra ; see Horace, Horatii Flacci Sermonum 1.6.42 and cf. Claudius , Clodius . The original form was plostra. Plaustra was the city form for 'wagons,' with a plebeian variant plostra; the original was plostra. _Linguistic note on Latin word forms._ > Iliad 7.213. From Homer's Iliad, book 7, line 213. _Citation of a classical source._ > Menander, Fr. 223.2, Koch. From Menander, fragment 223.2, as compiled by Koch. _Citation of a classical source._ > Of Augustus; see Augustus, 100.4. Of Augustus, as referenced in his biography. _Cross-reference to Augustus's funeral._ > The connection between the stella crinita and the long hair of the Parthian king is obvious; it does not seem accidental that Calvina is connected with calvus , “bald,” though this wordplay seems to have been overlooked. The link between a comet and the Parthian king's long hair is clear; similarly, Calvina likely relates to 'bald,' a pun often missed. _Analysis of wordplay in names._ > Claudius and Nero reigned thirteen and fourteen years respectively; Vespasian, ten; Titus, two; and Domitian, fifteen. Claudius ruled 13 years, Nero 14, Vespasian 10, Titus 2, and Domitian 15. _Summary of reign lengths of emperors._ > Some building of seven stories; the famous Septizonium on the Palatine was the work of Septimius Severus. A seven-story building; the well-known Septizonium on the Palatine was built by Septimius Severus. _Note on a multi-story Roman structure._ > Cf. Nero, 33.2 and 3. See Nero's biography, sections 33.2 and 33.3. _Cross-reference to Nero's cruelty._ > By the accession of his father Vespasian. Through his father Vespasian's rise to power. _Explanation of how someone gained status._ > See Augustus, 13.2. See Augustus's biography, section 13.2. _Cross-reference to Augustus's reign._ > See Nero, 15.2 , and note a. See Nero's biography, section 15.2 and the accompanying note. _Cross-reference to Nero's policies._ > See note on Vespasian, 9. See the note on Vespasian's biography, section 9. _Cross-reference to Vespasian's reign._ > See Augustus, 43.1. See Augustus's biography, section 43.1. _Cross-reference to Augustus's games._ > When the water had been let out; cf. Nero, 27.2. After the water was drained, as in Nero's biography. _Explanation of a naval battle reenactment._ > By humorously pretending to wrangle with those who favoured other gladiators than the Thracians. By jokingly arguing with fans of gladiators other than the Thracians. _Description of an emperor's behavior at games._ > Implying that it was his personal loss, which he would make good. Suggesting it was his own loss, which he would compensate. _Interpretation of an emperor's statement._ > To propitiate the gods, who were supposed to inflict such evils upon mankind by way of punishment. To appease the gods, believed to send disasters as punishment. _Explanation of religious motivation._ > The office was seldom taken so seriously. Julius Caesar, for instance, held it during his campaign in Gaul. The office was rarely treated with such seriousness; Julius Caesar held it while campaigning in Gaul. _Comment on the aedileship._ > The weapons of gladiators were regularly examined by the editor , or giver of the games, to see if they were sharp enough; cf. Dio, 68.3, who tells a similar story of the emperor Nerva. The sponsor of the games routinely checked gladiators' weapons for sharpness, as Dio also notes about Emperor Nerva. _Clarification of gladiatorial weapon inspection._ > Possibly Domitian’s charge was true; cf. Domitian, It is possible that Domitian's accusation was correct; see Domitian's biography. _Suggestion that a charge may have been valid._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters/endnotes - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_of_the_caesars_se/chapters