The condition of the Roman Emperors has never yet been fully appreciated; nor has it been sufficiently perceived in what respects it was absolutely unique. -- Thomas De Quincey, The Caesars Originally published in 1853, this intriguing volume incisively examines an era of the ancient past known as "The Caesars." With its reign-by-reign account of the power holders of the "imperial purple," it serves easily as a companion text for classes in classical history. The Caesars weaves a compelling narrative of the rise and fall of the Roman emperors, complete with an historical timeline and dynamic portraits of the major events, influences, and supremacy of ancient Rome. AUTHOR BIO: Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859) was born Manchester, England, and was educated at schools in Bath and Winkfield but left Oxford without taking a degree. He eventually settled in London, where, in 1807, he became close friends of the romantic writer Taylor Colderidge as well as of William Wordsworth, whom De Quincey greatly admired. De Quincey's influence was later seen in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Baudelaire.