The Death of Caligula

Reviews / Votes

Wiseman's 'Death of an Emperor' is a successful commentary on Josephus' text depicting the last dramatic days of Caligula, a remarkable turning-point in the history of the Principate. Josephus' narrative is an important historical document; for, as is well-know, Tacitus' account did not survive, Suetonius concentrates on gossip and Cassius Dio's account is late and inadequate. [ . . .] Wiseman's comments are terse, focussing attention on the essential; and his skillful translation powerfully captures the atmosphere created by Josephus. * Grazer Beitrage XIX * Those examing the earlier crisis in the imperial succession in A.D.41 will find Peter Wiseman's translation and commentary of Josephus' account of Caligula's assassination in Book 19, 1-273 of the 'Antiquities' indispensible. * Greece and Rome * Full of intriguing detail ... Peter Wiseman is a learned and most engaging guide. Reviews'A guide to this significant material has long been needed and this gap has now been filled by Wiseman's admirable book. He offers a translation that is free and idiomatic - a good decision, since Jospehus' anacoloutha and corruptions made a literal rendering almost unreadable, even where the general drift is clear. [ . . .] This is a useful book, by someone who knows his topic well. It should go a long way towards making senior students recognise the historical interest of a chapter of Roman history that they might have tended to regard only as lurid and sensational.'

Anthony A. Barrett, Classical Review, Vol. XLII No. 2 'In a concise and readable way, W. walks through the early imperial development of the [Augustan Palatine] in light of recent archaeology, locating the original houses of Augustus and Tiberius to recreate the scene at the time of Gaius. This may not be indispensable for the foregoing study, but it is a welcome bonus in the new edition...W.'s book remains as valuable as it always was. Students of ancient history in all subdisciplines should be pleased that it is available again, and with a particularly useful update in the new appendix.'
Steve Mason, Histos 10