Optimus Princeps

This short study examines the question of masculinity
in Suetonius' most famous work, the Lives of the
Caesars. As the most complete collection of imperial
biographies in existence it offers an unparalleled
depiction and dissection of Roman imperial power,
from Julius Caesar to Domitian. This study argues
that there was an intimate relationship in the High
Roman Empire between notions of masculine and
imperial power which has not as yet received the
scholarly attention it deserves. An analysis of this
relationship has the potential to provide a more
nuanced picture of how the figure of the emperor was
seen by his subjects, in particular, the extent to
which the ideal emperor was also seen as the ideal
man. Through a detailed study of the biographies, set
in their historical context, it is argued here that
Suetonius employed contemporary ideals of
masculinity when assessing the careers of the
respective emperors. It is hoped that this study will
also go some way towards filling a gap in current
Suetonian studies, particularly the need to
understand more about Suetonius' assumptions about
correct imperial behaviour and the standards by which
he judged his emperors.

Autorentext
Heather Ellis is a junior lecturer and researcher in British
History at the Centre for British Studies, Humbolt University,
Berlin. She is also in the final stages of completing her
doctorate in Modern History at the University of Oxford. Her
main research interests are in the history of masculinity, higher
education and classical scholarship.

Klappentext
This short study examines the question of masculinity in Suetonius' most famous work, the Lives of the Caesars. As the most complete collection of imperial biographies in existence it offers an unparalleled depiction and dissection of Roman imperial power, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. This study argues that there was an intimate relationship in the High Roman Empire between notions of masculine and imperial power which has not as yet received the scholarly attention it deserves. An analysis of this relationship has the potential to provide a more nuanced picture of how the figure of the emperor was seen by his subjects, in particular, the extent to which the ideal emperor was also seen as the ideal man. Through a detailed study of the biographies, set in their historical context, it is argued here that Suetonius employed contemporary ideals of masculinity when assessing the careers of the respective emperors. It is hoped that this study will also go some way towards filling a gap in current Suetonian studies, particularly the need to understand more about Suetonius' assumptions about correct imperial behaviour and the standards by which he judged his emperors.