Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus lived (69AD - 140AD within living memory of the twelve Caesars and wrote a comprehensive account
of their political, military and personal lives.
Suetonius was an accomplished orator and wrote many books only one, The Twelve Caesars, of which survived intact.
Suetonius was a contemporary of Pliny the Younger and served as secretary to Emperor Hadrian. The colourful descriptions of the sublime (Julius Caesar) to the downright mad (Caligula) earned Suetonius much praise and the modern reader may compare the present day
politicians in a favourable manner.
Suetonius described the inner turmoil faced by the leaders of the Roman Empire who were judged by public works, military triumphs and the innermost political intrigue which displaced each Caesar in turn.