historical-kitten reblogged
[Grabbing Octavian] show us Julius Caesar's terrible Oedipus fanfiction you coward
For Caesar, like many other young aristocrats, it was not enough simply to read great literature - he was also inspired to compose his own works. Suetonius mentions a poem praising Hercules as well as a tragedy entitled Oedipus. The quality of these immature works may not have been especially high - though probably no better or no worse than those written by other aristocrats who later went on to greater things - and they were suppressed by Caesar's adopted son, Emperor Augustus.
Adrian Goldsworthy, Caesar: Life of a Colosssus, trans. Teresa Martín Lorenzo
#the fact he censored it is hilarious#i want to see the terrible fanfiction#and also the terrible poetry he wrote#octavian really was into censorship xD#“my father ascended to godhood i cannot let anyone see this terrible writing!”#gaius julius caesar octavianus#caesar augustus#octavian#gaius julius caesar#julius caesar