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History reference for 1 - 100 AD?
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:30 pm
by _dulcimerpete
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
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:30 am
by _mattrose
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
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:15 pm
by _JC
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.
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:24 pm
by _dulcimerpete
Thank you Mattrose and JC!
Peace,
pete b