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5 days ago · Caligula, Roman emperor from 37 to 41 CE, who succeeded Tiberius and transferred the last legion under a senatorial proconsul to an imperial legate, completing the emperor’s monopoly of army command.
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Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (31 August 12 – 24 January 41), better known by his nickname Caligula (/ kəˈlɪɡjʊlə /), was Roman emperor from AD 37 until his assassination in AD 41. He was the son of the Roman general Germanicus and Augustus ' granddaughter Agrippina the Elder, members of the first ruling family of the Roman Empire.
- Caligula’s Early Life
- Caligula: Reign of Madness
- The Emperor Caligula
- Caligula’s Downfall
Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus was born in 12 A.D., the third son of the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina the Elder. During his childhood, his family lived at his father’s posting on the Rhine, where the general’s troops gave the future emperor his nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in reference to the miniature uniform in which his parents dressed him.
Did you know? Though known for his harsh treatment of others, the infamous Roman emperor Caligula lavished attention upon his horse Incitatus, giving the animal his own house with a marble stall and ivory manger. As an expression of his absolute power, Caligula planned to appoint the horse to the high office of consul, but he was assassinated before he could do so.
After Germanicus died in 17 A.D., Caligula’s family fell from favor in the eyes of the emperor Tiberius and the powerful Praetorian guardsman Sejanus, who saw the elder sons of the popular general as political rivals. Caligula’s mother and brothers were accused of treason, and all died in prison or exile. Caligula’s grandmother Antonia managed to shield him from these intrigues until Sejunus’ death in 31. The next year, Caligula moved in with the aging Tiberius, who gleefully indulged his great-nephew’s worst habits, commenting that he was “nursing a viper in Rome’s bosom.”
Tiberius adopted Caligula and made him and his cousin Gemellus equal heirs to the empire. When the emperor died in 37, Caligula’s Praetorian ally Macro arranged for Caligula to be proclaimed the sole emperor. A year later, Caligula would order both Macro and Gemellus put to death.
He died at just 28 years old, but his reign was a legendary frenzy of lunacy, murder, and lust. Discover why the name of Caligula is notorious throughout the world.
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Caligula was not quite 25 years old when he took power in 37 A.D. At first, his succession was welcomed in Rome: He announced political reforms and recalled all exiles. But in October of 37, a serious illness unhinged Caligula, leading him to spend the remainder of his reign exploring the worst aspects of his nature.
Caligula lavished money on building projects, from the practical (aqueducts and harbors) to the cultural (theaters and temples) to the downright bizarre (requisitioning hundreds of Roman merchant ships to construct a 2-mile floating bridge across the Bay of Bauli so he could spend two days galloping back and forth across it). In 39 and 40 he led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, commanding his troops to “plunder the sea” by gathering shells in their helmets).
His relationships with other individuals were turbulent as well. His biographer Suetonius quotes his oft-repeated phrase, “Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody.” He tormented high-ranking senators by making them run for miles in front of his chariot. He had brazen affairs with the wives of his allies and was rumored to have incestuous relationships with his sisters.
Caligula was tall, pale and so hairy that he made it a capital offense to mention a goat in his presence. He worked to accentuate his natural ugliness by practicing terrifying facial expressions in a mirror. But he literally wallowed in luxury, allegedly rolling around in piles of money and drinking precious pearls dissolved in vinegar. He continued his childhood games of dress-up, donning strange clothing, women’s shoes and lavish accessories and wigs—eager, according to his biographer Cassius Dio, “to appear to be anything rather than a human being and an emperor.”
Caligula’s profligacy was draining the Roman treasury faster than he could replenish it through taxes and extortion. A conspiracy formed between the Praetorian Guard, the Senate and the equestrian order, and in late January of 41 A.D. Caligula was stabbed to death, along with his wife and daughter, by officers of the Praetorian Guard led by Cassius Chaerea. Thus, Cassius Dio notes, Caligula “learned by actual experience that he was not a god.”
The Senate attempted to use the disastrous end of Caligula’s reign as a pretext to reestablish the Roman Republic, but Claudius, the heir designate, took the throne after gaining the support of the Praetorian Guard. The Julio-Claudian dynasty would remain secure for another 27 years, until Nero’s suicide in 68.
When Tiberius died in 37 AD, the Praetorian Prefect Macro ensured that Gaius, not Gemellus, became emperor. It was also rumoured that Gaius and the Praetorian Prefect Macro had hastened the death...
Oct 18, 2011 · How did Caligula become emperor? Upon the death of Tiberius on the 17th of March 37 CE, Caligula became an emperor after co-ruling with Tiberius' son Gemellus Caligula, however, soon came to be the lone ruler after the death of Gemellus.
- Donald L. Wasson
- Caligula is famous for being the first Roman emperor to be assassinated.
- He got the name "Caligula" as a nickname meaning "little boots," derived from the miniature uniform he wore as a child while on a campaign with his...
- Upon the death of Tiberius on the 17th of March 37 CE, Caligula became an emperor after co-ruling with Tiberius' son Gemellus Caligula, however, so...
- Some of Caligula's early accomplishments were the completion of a number of building projects and the rebuilding of decaying temples. He ended the...
- Caligula died after four years as emperor in January of 41 CE. He was murdered by members of the Praetorian Guard led by Cassius Chaerea, who had b...
Nov 14, 2023 · Following the death of Tiberius in 37 CE, Caligula emerged as the third Roman Emperor. His ascent was initially met with optimism, as the people hoped for a more humane and just ruler in contrast to the latter years of Tiberius’s rule.
Nov 24, 2020 · Caligula: a biography. Full name: Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Born: August AD 12. Died: 24 January AD 41. Known for: Though he ruled Rome as Emperor for only four years, Caligula has been immortalised as one of history’s most cruel and erratic leaders. Earning the nickname Caligula – 'Little Boots' – in childhood, he would be ...
