‘Ten Caesars’ demystifies the past

“Conqueror and peacemaker, the emperor was also builder and demolisher,” writes historian Barry Strauss in his new book . “Benefactor and judge; head of his family and Father of the Fatherland; tribune of the people and First Man in the Senate; most authoritative of the Romans and champion of the provinces; manager and magnetic leader; showman and symbol of severity; priest and commander; sacrosanct in Rome and king in the East – and even god.”