Who knew ancient Roman emperors could be so relatable? In 'The Lives of the Caesars', written by the scholar Suetonius in the second century, we’re treated to juicy tales of political missteps, outrageous sex scandals, and eccentric behaviours, all chronicled with a remarkable eye for detail. Now, 2,000 years after it was first penned, this sensational gossip fest is making waves again, thanks to a new translation by Tom Holland - co-host of 'The Rest Is History' podcast - not the Hollywood actor.
This version of the classic, published on 13 February, has landed on the Sunday Times’ hardback nonfiction bestseller list, marking a major achievement for Penguin Classics, which notes that it’s the first time one of their hardback nonfiction classics has appeared on the chart.
Holland thinks the book’s popularity has something to do with its timely themes. “Our understanding of power derives from Rome more than anywhere else,” he told The Guardian. "The US Republican system was modelled on ancient Rome [...] there's always been this anxiety that a Republican system may [also] end up as an autocracy.”
Suetonius’s 'The Lives of the Caesars' (aka The Twelve Caesars) offers us vivid and often gossipy portraits of the first 12 Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. It's a absolute page-turner, with Holland describing it as “ancient Rome’s Popbitch,” due to its salacious details and sharp psychological insights. “Had there been bestseller lists in second-century Rome, Suetonius’s book would undoubtedly have been on them,” says Stuart Proffitt from Penguin Press.
The book’s release comes 18 months after ancient Rome was thrust into the pop culture limelight, thanks to that all-important social media post that went viral: how often do men think about the Roman empire? Holland believes we’re so fascinated by Rome because of its long-lasting influence on Western society: "We feel closer to the Romans, perhaps, than we do to the Egyptians or the Assyrians," he explains.
So, next time you're reaching for a book, here's one that has stood the test of time.
