Ancient Roman author Suetonius's Books on the Life of the Caesars, biographies of the first Roman emperors and their forerunner, Julius Caesar, are rich in information and detail. Suetonius preserved much that was said and written about the emperors during the time they lived and not long afterwards. This translation, based on the 1908 edition of Maximilian Ihm (Teubner), is written in contemporary American English, especially designed to be accessible to today's students. An extensive introduction gives background on the life of Suetonius, his writings in the context of ancient biography, and background on the book itself, exploring sources, composition, organization, style, and historical value. The book also contains an introduction to the history and social context of the period, with details on social distinctions, government institutions, family, courts, the military, religion, and education. B&w maps, a chronology of major events, a family tree, a glossary, and extensive footnotes are also included. Translator Hurley has written other works on Suetonius. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)