Why did suetonius write the twelve caesars?

Answer 1

We cannot be entirly certain of suetonius's motivation for the composition of suetonius's twelve caesers, however the strictly moralising aspect of the history indicates that one of his motivations for composition was in order to highlight his views on the virtures of the perfect roman as well as to display the faults of men so that his readers could recognise these virtues and fault within themselves and use his work to make themselves better people. As his choice of subject for the works was the rulers of the Roman Empire it is likely that he intended to write the work as a guide on the most virtuous path which a ruler could follow. Although much of his work deals with political issues the focus of the work is on individual character rather than on political virtue, although he does asses the personal character of his subjects through their political actions. In some sence his work can be said to be intended to be a guide to a ruler on how they can govern with virtue.