The Sons of Caesar: Imperial Rome's First Dynasty

by Philip Matyszak

Book Overview

The Julio-Claudian saga has a host of other intriguing characters, from Cicero, the last great statesman of the Republic, to Livia, matriarch of the Empire; the passionate Mark Antony and the scheming... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500251282
• ISBN13: 9780500251287
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.9" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A fresh new look at the Julio-Claudians

Does the world need yet another book on the Caesars and the fall of the Republic? Well, yes, actually, as long as it is written with the clarity and probing analysis of Phillip "Maty" Matyszak. In The Sons of Caesar, the good Cambridge doctor of history offers a penetrating study of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the convoluted and dysfunctional family that presided over Rome's transition from Republic to Empire. I have read my share of modern books on the early empire, and they seldom improve upon the primary sources of Tacitus and Suetonius whose histories make excellent reading in their own right. The main problem with the two Roman historians are their biases. Tacitus the senator shared his order's jealousy and loathing for the imperial family, while Suetonius the equestrian let his history be colored by scandalous gossip whose veracity is sometimes in doubt. Taking their two accounts together, the ages have held all the early emperors (with the possible exception of Augustus) in a very dim light indeed. But given the biases at work how fair is the assessment? Matyszak is willing to take a step back and analyze the personalities and policies of the Julio-Claudians outside the biases of the primary sources. What emerges is a tale not quite as dire as either Tacitus or Suetonius would have you believe. The Sons of Caesar is a brilliant book which offers a moderate revision of a much maligned family. Carried along with clear prose, elucidating charts, some great photographs, and plenty of juicy quotes from the primary sources, this is a book that anyone interested in imperial politics will want on their shelves. For the full review, please visit http://www.unrv.com/book-review/sons-of-caesar.php A Roman history website: www.unrv.com

Overview of Julius Caesar and his hiers.

Interesting book profiling Julius Caesar, Augustus, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. While not the best book written on the subject, it encapsulates the Julio-Claudian dynasty excellently. It provides a fairly detailed account of what each Caesar accomplished. Written in a conversational manner, it is easy to read and gives a good account of this families reign. It deserves a place among your Roman history books.