THE LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARS. The Translation by Philemon Holland Revised for the Present Edition, with an Introduction , by Moses Hadas and Illustrated with Paintings by Salvatore Fiume

First Edition by the Press for Members of the Club. With the original Prospectus and Monthly Letter laid in. Signed by both Giovanni Mardersteig and the illustrator. Beautifully illustrated by Salvatore Fiume with twelve medallion portraits in monochrome and twelve paintings reproduced in full colour. Folio, the binding is in the classic Mardersteig tradition of rich burgundy linen, lettered in gilt over hand-blocked Italian paper, a lovely presentation. Housed in the gold and red slipcase. [xviii], [483], [3] pp. A superb copy, as pristine and essentially mint. The slipcase also in especially fine condition.

Edizione: first of the press and a very pleasing mardersteig production. gaius suetonius tranquillus was born in rome in 70 a.d. he began his career practicing law in the court of rome and at some time became a close friend of the younger pliny. soon thereafter he became a secretary at the imperial palace where he had full access to the imperial archives and where he no doubt researched for much of his work. in 121, emperor hadrian dismissed him from the court, allegedly for some indiscretion involving the emperor’s wife. little else is known about him.<br> of his writing, which was believed to be vast, though little has survived, the most famous survival is his “life of the twelve caesars”. it includes biographies of julius caesar and the eleven subsequent emperors: augustus, tiberius, gaius caligula, claudius, nero, galba, otho, vitellius, vespasian, titus, and domitian. though not a history in the proper sense--a gallery of statues and pictures, rather than a landscape--suetonius’ lives abound in anecdote and are eminently readable and entertaining. for example, in his biography of julius caesar suetonius gives an account of his crossing of the rubicon and a detailed narrative of his assassination, as well as mention of his dark piercing eyes and his attempts to conceal his baldness. although the author followed whatever source attracted him without regard to its reliability, this is still considered an important portrayal of character and a picture of manners and customs.