History reference for 1 - 100 AD?

_dulcimerpete · Post by **_dulcimerpete** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:30 pm

Can anyone recommend a source (on-line would be great, but I like books, too) for Roman history for the period 1 - 100 AD?

Thanks,

Pete B

Post by **_mattrose** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:30 am

Suetonius was a roman historian. Wikipedia says, "He is mainly remembered as the author of De Vita Caesarum ("Lives of the Caesars", best known in English as "The Twelve Caesars")" which was published around 119 it seems. It coves the life of each Caesar, as its name suggests.

Suetonius was a contemporary and friend of Pliny the Younger. Of him, wikipedia says, "the largest body of Pliny's work which survives is his Letters (Epistulae), a series of personal missives directed to his friends and associates. These letters are a unique testimony of Roman administrative history and everyday life in the 1st century."

I would think the top 4 authors for your quest would be, then
Tacitus
Suetonius
Pliny the Younger
Josephus

Post by **_JC** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:15 pm

Suetonius is great. He writes with a lot of personality and often interjects his own opinion on matters, which is much easier to read than strict record-keeping.

_dulcimerpete · Post by **_dulcimerpete** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:24 pm

Thank you Mattrose and JC!

Peace,

pete b