Roman Imperial Biography

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This is an advanced Latin class that introduces students to ancient biographical writing through a reading of the Caesars of Suetonius, secretary of correspondence to the emperor Hadrian. In addition to a close study of Suetonius and the role of literary culture at the imperial court, we consider the origins of biographical writing in Rome, its growth under the empire, later lives of Roman emperors inspired by the earlier tradition (including Einhard’s life of Charlemagne), and the Romans' contribution to the development of biographical writing up to the present day.