Suetonius was a Roman historian best known for his biographies of Roman emperors titled The Twelve Caesars. His vivid portrayals offer candid insights into the personal lives and reigns of Julius Caesar, Nero, and other historical figures.
If you enjoy reading books by Suetonius then you might also like the following authors:
Tacitus is perfect for readers intrigued by Suetonius' sharp portraits of historical figures and detailed accounts of the Roman Empire. His style is concise and often critical, capturing the drama and corruption of Imperial Rome with vivid clarity.
In his notable work, The Annals, Tacitus offers an insightful and sometimes biting narrative on emperors like Nero and Tiberius, examining their reigns and moral character with precise historical insight.
Plutarch writes with a warmth and curiosity that appeals to readers who like Suetonius' character-driven history. His series of biographies known as Parallel Lives explores the moral character and personal choices of historical figures from Roman and Greek history.
Plutarch prefers to provide moral lessons and highlight character, creating fascinating comparisons between people, rather than just relating facts and events.
Livy writes engaging historical accounts that provide a sweeping story of Rome's origins and growth. His work, The History of Rome, has an engaging storytelling style, filled with vivid descriptions of events, legends, and prominent Roman heroes.
Although he writes with a patriotic bias, Livy's love for his city's history and his skill in storytelling will appeal to readers who enjoy how Suetonius brings personality and detail into Roman history.
Cassius Dio provides an extensive and balanced account of Roman history, similar in scope to Suetonius' biographies of emperors. His notable work, Roman History, narrates Rome’s rise, politics, intrigues, and military campaigns across centuries.
Although his style is more formal and less gossipy than Suetonius', Dio's emphasis on character analysis, political themes, and conflicts makes him enjoyable for readers who appreciate detailed insights into Roman rulers.
Sallust, known for his sharp, critical style, provides dramatic and insightful accounts of key historical events and characters. In his notable work The Conspiracy of Catiline, he offers penetrating insights into corruption and moral decay in late Republican Rome.
Readers who enjoy Suetonius' direct, purposeful narrative and portraits of powerful personalities will appreciate Sallust's approach to Rome's politics and his vivid depiction of its turmoil.
Julius Caesar is famous for clear, precise, and straightforward historical writing. His style is confident and direct, offering a candid account of his military campaigns without embellishing.
Readers who enjoy Suetonius's vivid portraits might appreciate Caesar's ability to describe military strategy and political events with clarity and conciseness. A notable work to start with is Commentaries on the Gallic War, Caesar's personal account of his conquest of Gaul.
Ammianus Marcellinus wrote detailed and perceptive histories about the late Roman Empire. His style balances careful observation with critical analysis, giving readers an insightful look at the politics and military conflicts of his time.
If you enjoy the way Suetonius portrays emperors and their personalities, Ammianus's honest, character-driven accounts might appeal to you. Check out his Res Gestae, which covers important events and figures of the 4th-century Roman Empire.
Herodian is known for his concise and accessible account of Roman imperial history. His writing is straightforward yet engaging—storytelling that brings out the drama of conflicts and power struggles within the empire.
If you appreciate Suetonius's depiction of the human elements behind political events, Herodian's narratives might interest you. A good starting point is his History of the Roman Empire since the Death of Marcus Aurelius, which covers a turbulent period of Roman history.
Polybius is a historian who aimed to provide explanations rather than just descriptions. He analyzes historical events critically, offering reasoning for why events happened instead of only telling readers what took place.
While his approach is more analytical than Suetonius's vivid style, readers who like historical accuracy and clarity will appreciate Polybius's approach. One essential work by Polybius is his extensive The Histories, examining Rome's rise to power and dominance.
Velleius Paterculus wrote concise, informative summaries of Roman history, allowing readers to swiftly cover major historical events and figures. His style is efficient yet engaging, similar to Suetonius in his focus on notable individuals who shaped history.
If you enjoy Suetonius's biographical sketches, give Velleius's brief yet lively work, Roman History, a try. It offers an accessible overview of Rome's achievements and notable personalities up to his own era.
Eutropius offers a straightforward, concise summary of Roman history in his work Breviarium Historiae Romanae. Readers who enjoy the clarity and engaging anecdotes of Suetonius will appreciate Eutropius for his clear, uncluttered style.
Even though his writing is shorter and more condensed, he presents historical events in a way that is easy to follow and entertaining.
If you like Suetonius's stories about Roman emperors, you'll find the Historia Augusta fascinating. The mysterious authors of this collection present emperors in vivid anecdotes, gossip, and colorful, sometimes exaggerated tales.
Although less reliable historically, their entertaining style resembles Suetonius's approach to biography.
Josephus provides detailed narratives about important historical figures, battles, and events from a Jewish perspective. In The Jewish War, he vividly recounts the conflict between Rome and Judea.
If you enjoy Suetonius's dramatic storytelling and context-rich biographies, Josephus's personal insights and engaging narrative will draw you in.
Appian brings Rome's civil and military conflicts to life in his Roman History. His accounts of political struggles, intrigues, and battles capture readers' attention much like Suetonius's writing style.
Readers interested in detailed yet readable historical narratives will find Appian compelling.
Florus presents a brief but lively summary of Roman history and achievements in his Epitome of Roman History. His narrative focuses on important personalities and highlights major events.
If you enjoy the concise, personality-driven storytelling of Suetonius, you'll appreciate Florus's engaging summaries and dramatic style.