The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 07: Galba

"The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 07: Galba" by Suetonius is a historical account written in the early 2nd century AD, focusing on the life and reign of the Roman Emperor Galba. This work is part of a larger collection that chronicles the lives of the first twelve emperors of Rome, aiming to provide insights into their characters, actions, and the political dynamics of their times. In this particular volume, Suetonius presents a detailed account of Galba's rise to power following Nero's demise, highlighting his noble lineage, significant military achievements, and the peculiar omens that foretold his reign. The narrative describes Galba's initial popularity but increasingly points out his severe governance, austere nature, and inability to maintain the favor of the legions, leading to his eventual downfall and assassination. Suetonius delves into both his political decisions and personal life, portraying Galba as a complex figure shaped by ambition, fortune, and misfortune, ultimately illustrating how these factors influenced his brief and tumultuous reign over the Roman Empire. (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.