Suetonius Lifestyles

The biographies penned by Suetonius describe in great detail many aspects of the lives of the esteemed emperors of Rome. This goes as far to even include their eating habits; something which may seem trivial at first look. However, there is actually much that we can learn about these figures through their food choice and habits. Through the descriptions written by Suetonius, food becomes an indicator of character, status, and describes the way the Caesars presented themselves to the Roman citizens, and contrasts those traits between the various emperors. For example, Julius Caesar was very well known for abstaining for alcohol, and having an apparent distaste for ‘good food’. These were characteristics which evidently preceded him, as Suetonius

Similar to many of his other characteristics, Nero was overbearing in this regard. He, much like Augustus, used it as status symbol. But where Augustus used it in its simplicity to maintain humility, Nero was very extravagant with his food. He exploited it in favor of his public image as a high ranking official. Suetonius credits him to taking his feasts and dinner parties so far as to even drain the lake in the Campus Martius and host them there. His lavish feasts were eventually described as: “His feasts now lasted from noon till midnight, with an occasional break for diving into a warm bath, or, if it were summer, into snow-cooled water” (The Twelve Caesars, Suetonius, p. 222). Nero was known for his arrogance, and that trait was certainly absent in his eating habits. In fact, it tells the reader a lot about his personality. This extended even to his friends. “He also forced his friends to provide him with dinners; one of them spent four million sesterces on a turban party” (The Twelve Caesars, Suetonius. P. 222). Nero had no qualms about displaying his wealth, or using his power to get what he whatever he wanted. All of this is in direct contrast to the way Suetonius described the other two. Neither Caesar nor Augustus used consumption as means to display wealth and power. Nero has often been considered a corruptor of good Roman morals; this description seems to support that