Suetónio e o fascínio do oriente

Abstract

Suelonius doesn'l sei up in De lIlia Cil eSi1rum a explieit opposition hetween Easlern and Roman, hut between good and bad behaviors. Nevertheless Easlern slereotypes sueh as despotism, corruption, voluptuous anel elfeminate eoneluet appear naturally represented in the publie and private attitudes of the worst emperors. Some or them seem to promote a model Ç' I" government that recalls the theocratic monarchy characteristie or Hellenistic tyrants. ln spite or the gradual process of hellenisation in the aristocratic Roman classes, the extravagances 01" Caligula and Nero beco me unacceptable to the Roman mentality. ln what concerns religion, the biographer distinguishes the ancient Greek cults, consecrated long ago by tradition, from the new imporlations, sueh as Egyptian, Juelaic anel Christian believes. So when Suetonius rejects the introduction or exotic habits he doesn't stress ethnic reasons but reveals a moralizing perspective based on ancestral Roman mores.