Author |
Suetonius, 69?-122? |
Editor |
Forester, Thomas |
Translator |
Thomson, Alexander, M.D. |
Title |
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 05: Claudius
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Note |
Reading ease score: 57.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Caesars
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Credits |
Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger
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Summary |
"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 05: Claudius" by Suetonius is a historical account that was likely written during the early second century. This volume details the life of Tiberius Claudius Drusus Caesar, from his lineage and early afflictions to his unexpected rise to power as emperor of Rome. The text examines the complexities of Claudius's character, including his struggles with health, public perception, and his tumultuous reign marked by the influence of the people and political dynamics of his time. At the start of this portion of the book, the narrative outlines the lineage of Claudius, describing his family background and his childhood marked by physical and mental challenges. It highlights his initial obscurity and how he was underestimated by those around him, including close family members. Despite this, Claudius eventually ascends to the throne after the assassination of Caligula. The opening chapters set the stage for Claudius's reign, revealing early signs of his character—balancing between fear and assertiveness—as he navigates through political intrigue and the expectations placed upon him. The portrayal of Claudius is multifaceted, showcasing both his vulnerabilities and the unexpected strengths that would define his rule. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
DG: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Italy, Vatican City, Malta
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Subject |
Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-284 A.D.
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Subject |
Emperors -- Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
6390 |
Release Date |
Dec 13, 2004 |
Most Recently Updated |
Dec 29, 2020 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
106 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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