Nineteen centuries later there are still lessons to be learned from Suetonius about absolute power and the weaknesses of democracy. But this is also pop history, being the basis for a lot of what was understood about Rome until modern historical methodology came into the picture. You could look for Shakespeare in the margins.

While reading it I couldn't help think about authoritarianism and how it impinges on freedom. Romans of just about any social status had to flinch daily in fear of their reckless overlord, whichever Caesar it was at the time, they were all wretched. If you can stomach the endless murders, genocides, wars, and widespread cruelty you will have at the least an idea of what may be some of the worst cases of abuse power in European history. Compare that with today and we're not so badly off, but if you can relate the Caesars' extreme narcissism to your own political leaders and their flunkies, you may be shocked at the consistency.

It's history with lashings of scandal, intrigue, sex, murder, incest, fratricide, matricide and blasphemy - what more could you ask for?

After reading and discussing this book in my western civilization course, I discovered that I enjoy reading about prominent leaders in history. Honestly, you can't really write a review on this book. All you can do is speak about the lives of the caesars presented inside this book. Cunning and ruthless, the emperors each approached situations in strategic and monstrous ways. Because this is a translation of what Suetonius wrote, some of the transitions were hard to follow and vague. However, we only have records and writings to indicate some of what happened. In today's world with modern standards and laws, it is hard to believe some of the actions of which the emperors took.