Optimus Princeps

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This short study examines the question of masculinityin Suetonius' most famous work, the Lives of theCaesars. As the most complete collection of imperialbiographies in existence it offers an unparalleleddepiction and dissection of Roman imperial power, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. This study arguesthat there was an intimate relationship in the HighRoman Empire between notions of masculine andimperial power which has not as yet received thescholarly attention it deserves. An analysis of thisrelationship has the potential to provide a morenuanced picture of how the figure of the emperor wasseen by his subjects, in particular, the extent towhich the ideal emperor was also seen as the idealman. Through a detailed study of the biographies, setin their historical context, it is argued here thatSuetonius employed contemporary ideals ofmasculinity when assessing the careers of therespective emperors. It is hoped that this study willalso go some way towards filling a gap in currentSuetonian studies, particularly the need tounderstand more about Suetonius' assumptions aboutcorrect imperial behaviour and the standards by whichhe judged his emperors.