Source edition
Suetonius. De Vita Caesarum Libri VIII. Ihm, Max, editor; Leipzig: Teubner, 1908.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This biographical work depicts the turbulent life of Gaius Julius Caesar, one of ancient Rome's most prominent statesmen and military commanders, spanning from his early years to his assassination and subsequent deification. The narrative begins with Caesar's youth, his early military service, and his strategic rise to political prominence through securing public favor. After forming the First Triumvirate and conquering Gaul, he amasses immense power, eventually crossing the Rubicon into civil war due to irreconcilable conflicts with the Senate. Emerging victorious as dictator, the work details his sweeping political reforms, grand infrastructure plans, and various anecdotes regarding his military leadership and colorful personal life. However, his growing arrogance and monopolization of power ignite deep resentment among the senatorial class, culminating in his tragic assassination on the Ides of March. The biography concludes by recounting his dramatic funeral, his official deification, and the ultimate downfall of his conspirators.