The Twelve Caesars (Phoenix Giants S.) - Softcover

The personalities of the 12 Caesars of Ancient Rome (Julius Caesar and the 11 emperors who followed after him) have profoundly impressed themselves upon the world, largely because of Suetonius' biographies of them. Using contemporary documents, this book attempts to penetrate the fog of superstition and rumour that has gathered around these men. The author examines how these potentates wielded their power, how they coped, or failed in their task, and he considers the effects of their intensely demanding public careers on their private lives. He also questions the truth of the many stories which have suggested that the Caesars were consumed by erotic eccentricities.

Michael Grant (1914-2004) was a highly successful and renowned historian of the ancient world. He held many academic posts including those of Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Professor of Humanity at Edinburgh University; Vice Chancellor of The Queen's University, Belfast and Vice Chancellor of the University of Khartoum. He was a Doctor of Letters at Dublin and a Doctor of Laws at Belfast. He has also been President of the Classical Association of England, the Virgil Society and the Royal Numismatic Society, and was a Medallist of the American Numismatic Society.