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Reliability and Usefulness of Sources - Coggle Diagram
Reliability and Usefulness of Sources
PLUTARCH
his biographies intended to inspire and entertain, for this reason he dramatised these events
this means that the events he lists to justify Caesar aim for kingship may be dramatised and not factful
Plutarch did not write with chronological accuracy but with intend on portraying a persons character
judged situations based on instinct rather than reliability though he had access to a range of sources
assumes caesar planned to overthrow the republic from the beginning, ignoring the impact on the optimates
Consistency with other Sources
Plutarch says that even the people disliked Caesar, however Nicolaus of Damascus says they wanted him crowned king. Both these sources perspectives work to achieve their strong motives but there is not other evidence for or against the peoples support in other sources
When caesar insults the senate by not standing before them, Plutarch states Caesar used is disease as an excuse and that this was a calculated insult. However other sources contemplate this, giving accounts of different illnesses. Swain and Davies says that caesar was suffering from a number of epileptic seizures.
Suetonius
wrote his works with a reliance on rumor and court gossip, though he did have access to a variety of sources
he judged his subjects against an ideal standard
wrote his books from sources within the imperial archives
Cassius Dio
motivation was to write a comprehensive history of rome, focussing on the constitutional and political shift to monarchy
Had strong personal beliefs: democracy was fine in theory bu unstable in practice, believed monarchy was evil but effective in practice
was ignorant of republican institutions and conditions
Nicolaus of Damascus
strong motive to write favourably about Augustus, using caesar death to justify transition to emperors