Five Ancient Roman Sources Every Roman History Major Should Read
by Five sources that every student of Roman History should read to gain an appreciation for Roman History.
Julius Caesar: Commentaries on the Gallic War & Civil Wars
These books offer a remarkable amount of access to a man many historians consider to be among the best generals in the ancient world. His two commentaries were written during his campaigns in Gaul [58-51 BCE] and during the Roman civil war between Pompey and himself [49-45 BCE]. Caesar, for their actions, praises people like Gaius Cassius Longinus who would lead the plot of assassinate him in 44 BCE.
Plutarch: Fall of the Roman Republic
This book contains biographies which serve as the basis from much of what we know to people like Pompey, Marcus Crassus, and Julius Caesar. Born in Greece, Plutarch was active during the 2nd century CE. It was chiefly his works that led to much of the mythos and clichés that surround men like Marcus Crassus.
Suetonius: Lives of the Twelve Caesars
Suetonius was the Emperor Hadrian’s secretary. This gave him unparalleled access to senatorial records. This is best shown in his biography of Augustus where he quotes actual letters and writings by Augustus during the course of his biography. However, after getting on the Emperor Hadrian’s bad side for making improper comments about the Empress, he was dismissed. Undaunted, he finished his work on the first twelve Caesars. However, lacking access to records, he relied on lies, accusations and innuendo to make his point.
Dio Cassius: Roman History
Dio Cassius’ Roman History covers approximately 983 years from Aeneas’ arrival in Italy and ending with events in 229 CE. His work was divided up into 80 volumes. With men like Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus he gives cursory descriptions, indicating his lack of access to sources. However, when he gets to men like Commodus he provides a great amount of detail.
Tacitus: The Annals and the Histories
Written by the historian Tacitus, the Annals and the Histories form a 30 volume narrative from the death of Augustus [in 14 CE] to the death of Domitian [in 96 CE]. Tacitus wrote the Histories before the Annals, however, chronologically, the Annals comes first. Tacitus’ work is notable as it contains one of a few non-canonical reference to a man named Jesus. Tacitus says “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of T
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