The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 08: Otho

"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 08: Otho" by Suetonius is a historical account likely written in the early 2nd century AD. This book focuses on the life of Emperor Otho, who ruled for a brief period during a tumultuous time in Roman history, known as the Year of the Four Emperors. It provides insight into Otho's background, rise to power, and eventual downfall, encompassing themes of political intrigue, ambition, and the fleeting nature of power. The narrative of Otho's life details his aristocratic lineage and early debauchery, leading to his eventual favor with Emperor Nero and ambitions of power. After the assassination of Emperor Galba, Otho seizes the throne but is soon embroiled in conflict with his rival, Vitellius. Despite initial successes, Otho's reign is characterized by a series of military setbacks and ill omens. Ultimately, faced with defeat and the prospect of civil war, he takes his own life. Suetonius paints a complex portrait of Otho, illustrating the paradox of his character—both effeminate in demeanor yet fervently ambitious, ultimately leading to a tragic end that evokes mixed feelings of disdain and admiration from those around him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly referred to as Suetonius, was a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman Empire. His most important surviving work is De vita Caesarum, commonly known in English as The Twelve Caesars, a set of biographies of 12 successive Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Other works by Suetonius concerned the daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and the lives of famous writers, including poets, historians, and grammarians. A few of these books have partially survived, but many have been lost.