Once a woman declared that she was desperately in love with him, and he took her to bed with him. "How shall I enter that item in your expense ledger?" asked his accountant later, on learning that she had got 4,000 gold pieces out of him; and Vespasian replied, "Just put it down to 'passion for Vespasian'".

Vespasian - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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We may still draw back but, once across that little bridge, we shall have to fight it out.

Julius Caesar - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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Titus complained of the tax which Vespasian had imposed on the contents of the city urinals. Vespasian handed him a coin which had been part of the first day's proceeds: "Does it smell bad?" he asked. And when Titus said "No" he went on: "Yet it comes from urine."

Vespasian - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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To prevent Incitatus, his favourite horse, from being disturbed he always picketed the neighbourhood with troops on the day before the races, ordering them to enforce absolute silence. Incitatus owned a marble stable, an ivory stall, purple blankets, and a jewelled collar; also a house, a team of slaves, and furniture – to provide suitable entertainment for guests whom Gaius invited in its name. It is said that he even planned to award Incitatus a consulship.

Gaius Caligula - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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Again, during a sacrifice, the augur Spurinna warned Caesar that the danger threatening him would not come later than the Ides of March.

Julius Caesar - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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Caesar overtook his advanced guard at the river Rubicon, which formed the frontier between Gaul and Italy. Well aware how critical a decision confronted him, he turned to his staff, remarking: "We may still draw back but, once across that little bridge, we shall have to fight it out."

Julius Caesar - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city.

Claudius - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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Dead! And so great an artist!

Nero - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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No one was allowed to leave the theatre during his recitals, however pressing the reason. We read of women in the audience giving birth, and of men being so bored with listening and applauding that they furtively dropped down from the wall at the rear, since the gates were kept barred, or shammed dead and were carried away for burial.

Nero - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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There was a raven, strange to tell, Perched upon Jove's own gable, whence He tried to tell us "All is well!" – But had to use the future tense.

Domitian - English quotations are taken from the translation of Robert Graves, as amended by Michael Grant: Suetonius The Twelve Caesars - Harmondsworth, 1979.

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