Author Bio: Suetonius(ca. 70-135 CE)- A Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order. He lived during the Roman imperial era, and is mainly known for his set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers(Julius Caesar-Domitian).
Speaker: Suetonius.
Date/Context: Caesars corrupt reforms which could have led to him becoming king; Caesar’s assassination on March 14, 44 BCE.
Summary: Suetonius talks about how Caesar deserved to be assassinated, as he greatly abused his powers. He had given himself many privileges which were thought to be not worthy of a mortal human. Suetonius stated that Caesar had said the Roman Republic would be nothing without a strong leader, meaning himself.
Key Quotation:
“Yet after all, his other actions and words so turn the scale, that it is thought that he abused his power and was justly slain.”
“No less arrogant were his public utterances.. That the Republic was nothing, a mere name without body or form…”
Expand on your analysis. This was the period in which Rome transitioned from Republic to Empire. Suetonius suggests that the conspirators were right to kill Caesar.
ReplyDelete