Caligula (formally known as Gaius) was the third of Ancient Rome's emperors, who achieved feats of waste and carnage during his four-year reign (A.D. 37-41). The young Caligula barely survived the fallout of his fathers demise. Caligula saw himself as a god, but no matter how hard he tried, most people still only saw him as an emperor. To this day, the highly controversial movie remains banned in some countries. The future emperors famed history of incest is believed to have started during this time. Thin, pale, and covered in large amounts of fine hair, Caligula was not blessed with natural good looks. In the chilling days following Caligulas near-fatal illness, he had nearly every single one of his close family members executed. Some historians have even argued that he helped plan or was at least aware of the plot on Caligula's life. By Rosie LessoMA Contemporary Art Theory, BA Fine ArtRosie is a contributing writer and artist based in Scotland. Chariot racing was one of his great passions, and he would personally participate in races. Either affectionately or mockingly, Germanicus troops called the boy Caligula, meaning Little Boots or Booties. The nickname stuck, but Gaius reportedly hated it. When he went to actual performances, he also liked to sing along with actors. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. His behaviour was so erratic that people wondered if he was suffering from some form of madness. While Caligula was still alive, he erected a temple dedicated to himself and placed a life-sized golden statue in his own image inside. What is Caligula most famous for? Caligulas plan was the last straw for many powerful people in Rome. Caligula had a malevolent sense of humor. This amused the other soldiers, who mockingly nicknamed him Caligula, meaning little boot.. One of Tiberiuss first acts as emperor was to send Germanicus on a diplomatic mission, where the general mysteriously caught ill and died. One of them also died of starvation, and the other from suicide. He then had the men collect seashells as spoils of war. They include the. His nickname "Caligula" translates to "Little Boot." According to Suetonius, Caligula managed to blow 2.7 billion sesterces in just the first year of his reign. As a joke, Dando-Collins was sure to add. Who was the most loved Roman emperor? Others thought that after his illness he was mad; however, much evidence of this is suspect and somee.g., that he made his horse consulis untrue. Caligula Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements Suetonius claimed that Caligula himself ended Tiberiuss life and ensured his rise to emperor. Because Im sure that fooled everybody. He soon became one of the most hated people in the entire empire. In yet another of the famous stories about Caligulas megalomania, he once stood near a statue of Jupiter and asked a nearby actor who was more mightyhimself or the god. They brutally attacked everyone around, conspirator or otherwise. Historical accounts of Caligula may vary, but, Unlike her weasely son, Caligulas mother Agrippina the Elder was a famously tough and courageous woman. But the young man ruled for only four years until he was brutally slain alongside his wife and daughter by a group of guardsmen and dumped into a shallow grave. The most famous story about Incitatus is that Incitatus made him a consul in the Incitatus.. Who made his horse a consul? Caligula apparently also enjoyed performing and liked to show off whenever possible. The people of Rome had extremely high hopes for Caligulas rule. As such, the people of Rome absolutely hated him by the time he died. In January 41, four months after his return to Rome from Gaul, Caligula was murdered at the Palatine Games by Cassius Chaerea, tribune of the Praetorian Guard, Cornelius Sabinus, and others. 14. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Julius Caesar was his great-great-grandfather, Augustus was his grandfather, and his father Germanicus was one of Romes most effective and popular generals. So, after years of cold-blooded killings and extravagant spending, what did Caligula do that finally led to his downfall? When the emperor died in 37, Caligulas Praetorian ally Marco arranged for Caligula to be proclaimed the sole emperor. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. As Caligulas tyrannical reign flew wildly out of control, a secret plot was hatched to have him killed. He enjoyed watching executions and indulged in scandalous behavior at night, Caligula was cold-blooded from the start. Wikimedia CommonsWhen he first took power, Caligula hd the ashes of his mother and brother moved to the sacred tomb of his ancestors. Some have speculated that he suffered from epilepsyor, as Suetonius called it, falling sickness.. Caligula - World History Encyclopedia . Some historians believe he was poisoned, while others have staunchly contested this. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This may not seem like that big of a deal after all the disturbing things he had done, but had Caligula survived, his plans would have altered history forever. His mother accused Tiberius of murdering Germanicus and sought revenge. Caligula had been a total disaster of an emperorbut the Roman military still liked the idea of an empire. Persichini. When they arrived on the scene, the emperor already lay deadbut that didnt stop them from getting their mad revenge. Countless people died or were ruined as a result of his whims or paranoia. into a demonstration of cruelty and power. According to Suetonius, an ancient historian, Caligula's horse Incitatus had a stable made of marble and a stall made of ivory. When archaeologists finally uncovered the wreck in 1932, they were shocked at just how advanced the ship was. Did a horse become pope? Thats what I love when Im at a show: to hear the jerk next to me sing instead of the trained professionals on stage. According to Dando-Collins account, Caligula would have developed paranoia as part of bipolar disorder. To procure the revenues needed to finance his extravagances, he then resorted to the extortion of prominent Roman citizens and the confiscation of their estates. He even claimed that his grandfather, Augustus, had an incestuous affair with his daughter, Julia the Elder. Simple: they drained the lake! Soon after Ptolemy arrived in Rome, Caligula executed him without a trial and annexed Mauretania. Martin proud, they allegedly killed Caligulas child, Julia Drusilla, by dashing her head against a wall. At the age of three he started to accompany his father on military campaigns and the little soldier outfit he was given included miniature boots. His ancestor, Emperor Nero, felt two ways about Caligulas spending habits: he admired how much Caligula managed to spendand was jealous he didnt inherit a nest egg that big. His wives were Junia Claudilla, Livia Orestilla, Lollia Paulina and Milonia Caesonia. He didnt have sex with all his sisters. Some say she and her brother engaged in incest, though author and historian Stephen Dando-Collins is dubious. In the final years of his reign, Tiberius let Rome fall apart while he relaxed in his pleasure palace on Capri. Rampaging through Rome committing murder, adultery and acts of debauchery, his reign came to an abrupt end when he was brutally assassinated after only four years. She went out on campaigns with his father, the beloved general Germanicus, and served as his advisor. It was virtually impossible for senators to decipher how Caligula might react to any given matter. At the last minute, Caligula had an even worse ideahe turned and struck the priest instead. Although his excessive architectural ambitions ran Rome into debt, he successfully oversaw the completion of important Roman buildings. Remember Macro, the Praetorian Guard who helped make Caligula emperor? And so, when the respected general Germanicus brought his son Gaius on campaign, the tyke sported soldiers footwear, or caligae, scaled down to his size. Ahh politics, making things as complicated as possible for thousands of years. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. 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. A reluctant Tiberius was adopted as full son and heir, required to adopt his nephew Germanicus in order to continue the bloodline and to take the crown upon his stepfather Augustus death. He was so obsessed that sometimes he even slept in the stables with the horses! Whether it was lowering taxes or buying extravagances for himself, none of these came cheap, and Rome started running out of money fast. Just like that. Also known as: Gaius Caesar, Gaius Caesar Germanicus. In 2008, archaeologists managed to find the actual corridor in Caligulas palace where the killing took place. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. Others have focused on Caligulas impatience and irritability, as well as a recorded penchant of his for staring into the distance. Roman Emperor Caligula Incitatus (Latin pronunciation: [ktats], meaning "swift" or "at full gallop") was the favourite horse of Roman Emperor Caligula ( r. 37-41 AD). Who was Caligula's lover? And who is the person Mr. Trump most often yields the upper hand to? Caligula was born as Emperor Augustus lay dying. The second lover was the Emperor's favorite, and also the best dancer of his time. He began having his family members killed, beginning with his cousin (and heir) Gemellus. . I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. Six or seven months into his reign, however, everything changed. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. One of the wrecks included a lead pipe bearing the inscription Property of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. It is uncertain whether it was Allied or German troopswho cause the fire thatlargely destroyed the ships in 1944. Gaius Caesar Germanicus, better known as Caligula, was 24 years old when he became the third Roman emperor in 37 A.D. Even as a grown man, Caligula despised his nickname, so he did what any self-respecting emperor would do: he made a new one. Whether it was poison, trauma, mental illness, overblown rumors, or coming of age in a toxic environment, Caligulas behavior nonetheless left him unpopular. How did he get the name of Caligula? Not at allhe simply said: Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.. Caligula was cold-blooded from the start. Tiberiuss son died, perhaps murdered by a political rival. His nickname Caligula translates to Little Boot. The unsuspecting monicker might have you believe that the emperor was something of a benevolent leader, but his historical record begs to differ. Approximately six to seven months after taking power, Caligula suddenly fell ill, possibly by poisoning. Caligulas first years in office were a wild ride, but nearly everything he did had one thing in common: they were expensive. Writers describe him as skinny, pale, and sickly, with hollow eyes and thin hair. But Caligulas death wasnt enough for those who were fed up with his reign. Caligula spent a fortune having two massive barges built to be used on the volcanic Lake Nemi, about nineteen miles south of Rome. Caligula is often remembered as a selfish and capricious ruler whose ineptitude weakened the Roman empire during his four-year reign. Caligula appeared unexpectedly on the Upper Rhine in October 39 and suppressed an incipient revolt, executing Drusillas widower M. Aemilius Lepidus and Gnaeus Lentulus Gaetulicus, commander of the Upper Rhine armies. Cruel and tyrannicalEmperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. Dressed in proper soldier attire with boots and armor, he earned the nickname . One theory suggests epilepsy as the main cause of his headaches and that he was perhaps deathly afraid of impending seizures. All this rabble-rousing didnt sit well with the emperor, who had Agrippina floggedsupposedly until she lost an eye. If you think it seems strange that Tiberius would let Caligula live after killing almost his entire family, youre not the only one. Because Caligula was so young, he was sent to live with Tiberius mother, Livia Drusilla. In one twisted story, Caligula was supposedly meant to sacrifice a bull to the gods by hitting it over the head with a huge mallet. Unfortunately he died before he could make this dream a reality. It was the first major motion picture that juxtaposed segments featuring respected, mainstream actors with scenes that were essentially pornographic. Most of the myths are just that, myths. Dando-Collins asserted. In 40 AD, he began making plans to permanently move to Alexandria, taking the capital with him. To further the epilepsy diagnosis, multiple sources confirmed that Caligula could not swim, despite the fact that swimming lessons would absolutely have been a part of his education. We want our readers to trust us. The real name given to this notorious Emperor was Gaius Caesar Germanicus, from his parents Germanicus and Agrippa the Elder. In one famous incident, Caligula arranged for hundreds of merchant ships to, form a 3-mile long floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae. Historians wrote that he would sleep with his own officials wives, then brag about it publicly in front of them. This would completely neuter both the Senate and the Praetorian Guard. At the very start of his reign, Caligula led a series of political reforms and even recalled all exiles from outside Rome. Agrippina pushed this narrative a move that later cost her life. Plinys history of Cleopatra described a decadentand utterly revoltingcocktail. Caligula lavished large sums on aqueducts, harbours, theatres and temples in his name. At first, Caligulas reign was well-received. Readers might be familiar with the 1979 arthouse film Caligula, but the truth here is truly stranger than fiction. Caligula treasured the steed so much that he gave it its own house with an ivory manger and a marble stall. As far as Caligula was concerned, fashion was fashion. So when Caligula took the throne, the Romans rejoiced. But if his leadership skills were so abysmal, some scholars have argued, how did he wind up annexing new provinces, expanding westward and formulating a feasible plan to take over Britain? Rampaging through Rome committing murder, adultery and acts of debauchery, his reign came to an abrupt end when he was brutally assassinated after only four years. Its thought that during this tumultuous period in Caligulas life, he began to relish in the macabre. His favourite phrase, which he frequently repeated, was Remember I have the right to do anything to anybody. This included adulterous affairs with the wives of his allies and the torment or murder of high-ranking senators who dared to disagree with him. He made pretensions to divinity and showed extravagant affection for his sisters, especially for Drusilla, who on her death (in 38) was consecrated Diva Drusilla, the first woman in Rome to be so honoured. Caligula started auctioning away the lives of gladiators during live events; tell me how you want to see him die, and well see to itfor a price. They include the Temple of Augustus, Pompeiis Theatre, the rebuilding of the walls in the temples of Syracuse, and the Roman city in the Alps. Caligula didnt host orgies, but that was in part because Tiberius, who was actually a known pedophile, forced him to have sex with male prostitutes as a teenager. Caligula, considered by many to be a mad and unpredictable tyrant, is also known for transferring the last legion under a senatorial proconsul to an imperial legate, completing the emperors monopoly of army command. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place, the man took a moment to think of the right answerwhich was evidently not the right move. In addition, Caligula maintained sexual relations with her sister's husband Marcus Lepidus and the actor pantomina Mnester. Stories surrounding the life of Emperor Caligula, Romes third, 1. Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. In observing the meetings of President Trump with world leaders over the past two years, I noticed that he yields the upper hand to some. Tiberius will named Caligula co-heir with his younger cousin Tiberius Gemellus, but the Senate rejected these provisions and gave complete imperial power to Caligula, who instead made Gemellus his heir. To their credit, his rule had been a pretty good example of why giving one man absolute power might not be the best idea. He purged anyone who appeared loyal to the prior emperor, including his own wife. Caligula - Wikipedia He would also sometimes dress as a woman, or as female gods such as Diana and Juno. Caligula was born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus on August 31, 12 AD, in Antium, Italia, to Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. One of the few to be spared his wrath was his feeble uncle Claudius, whom Caligula chose to keep around as an object of ridicule. Caligula fell so ill that he teetered between life and death for a solid month. Previously she has worked in both curatorial and educational roles, discovering how stories and history can really enrich our experience of art. While living as Tiberiuss guest, Caligula befriended Naevius Sutorius Macro, the head of the powerful Praetorian guard. For one thing, its important to remember that Caligulas real name was Gaius. The Roman people knew him as the emperor Gaius. Growing up, Agrippina the Elder had a close relationship with her grandfather, the Emperor Augustus, who personally oversaw her education. In 41 A.D., he was attacked by a cabal of Praetorian Guards following a sporting event, before he was brutally stabbed over 30 times. Read on for 42 facts about the man who thought himself a god. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. Tiberius let Caligula and his sisters come live with him, but thats not to say he put them up in luxury suites. Caligulas grandmother was infuriated at the deed, and, of course, died shortly after expressing that fact. And as you can imagine, his choice wasnt exactly humble. What is Caligula most known for? - Studybuff Caligula often referred to himself as a god during political meetings and was even registered as such in public documents recording his attendance or appearance. For most of his youth, Caligulas great-grandmother Livia shielded him from politics. Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. Emperor Caligula: 16 Facts About the Cruel Roman Emperor After all, he came from a pretty amazing pedigree, and many were sympathetic to the nightmares he went through as a child. A certain Valerius Catullus complained publicly that the emperor treated him hardly. He did just this. Was Ancient Roman Emperor Caligula Actually The Insane, Sadistic Pervert Everyone Thinks? Thanks for your help! When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Either way, Tiberius suddenly had no heir. When Germanicus died, Caligulas mother Agrippa firmly believed Tiberius was to blame. Caligulas biggest dream was to cut a massive canal through the Isthmus of Corinth in Greece. He continued his childhood games of dress-up, donning strange clothing, womens shoes and lavish accessories and wigseager, according to his biographer Cassius Dio, to appear to be anything rather than a human being and an emperor., Caligulas profligacy was draining the Roman treasury faster than he could replenish it through taxes and extortion. When Augustus died on August 19, 14 A.D., however, Tiberius assumed power and sent Germanicus to the eastern provinces. What is Caligula most known for? - Aquarius Age He especially didnt want any reminders of his resemblance to a goat. Believing He Had Extraordinary Powers, He Declared Himself An Immortal God, 11. All of this sounds like totally normal behavior for the most powerful person on Earth. He also rebuilt the walls at the temples of Syracuse and built a city in the Alps. When Caligula recovered, he discovered Macros plansand condemned his one-time ally to a horrifying fate. Agrippina died of starvation in exile on a remote island, and Tiberius had the two brothers imprisoned. Immediately following his death, the Roman senate set about destroying Caligulas statues in the hope that he could be forgotten from history. Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody, hed remind people. What was Caligula illness? A prominent figure in political circles, she also spoke out against Augustus successor Tiberius, whom she hated. Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. Did you know? The Roman emperor Caligula Incitatus. The Roman Senate Tried To Have Him Removed From History, Emperor Caligula: 16 Facts About the Cruel Roman Emperor, Marble portrait bust of the emperor Gaius, known as Caligula. The Roman emperor Caligula is best known today for his decadent, brutal - and scandalous - lifestyle. Son of the great military hero Germanicus, the people had high hopes for their new, young Emperor. He once declared to the Senate that hed be moving to Egypt because, in Egypt, Caligula asserted, hed be worshipped as a living god. She was said to enjoy accompanying her military hero husband Germanicus on many of his most brutal and bloody campaigns, and became his closest and most trusted political advisor. Discover why the name of Caligula is notorious throughout the world. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Despite his noted cruelty, Caligula did manage to complete some crucial building projects that his predecessor Tiberius had ignored. Caligulas father, Germanicus, was the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius. After his accession Caligula quickly squandered the vast sums Tiberius had accumulated in the state treasury. Caligula Had A Complicated Relationship With Emperor Tiberius, Caligulas father, Germanicus, was the nephew and adopted son of Emperor, 4. By all accounts, Caligula wasnt a particularly formidable figure. As Caligula became more unhinged, the aging emperor commented, I am nursing a viper in Romes bosom He didnt even know the half of it. She went out on campaigns with his father, the beloved general Germanicus, and served as his advisor. Even in those days Caligula could not control his natural brutality, Suetonius wrote. Large Amounts Of Money Were Spent On Vanity Projects, After raising taxes to pull in more money, Caligulas spending quickly became out of control. WATCH: Full episodes of Colosseum online now. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. What is Caligula most famous for? Emperor Caligula Reigned For Only Four Years, From 37-41 A.D. As Caligulas tyrannical reign flew wildly out of control, a secret plot was hatched to have him killed. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. Persichini. He personally wrote detailed prosecution indictments for cases in the Roman Senate, considering himself the best legal mind of his day, only to summarily execute many people without hard evidence. Drusilla died in a pandemic, and as far we know wasnt pregnant at the time. Married Four Times, Each Was Short Lived, 13. Well, as it turns out, no one was safe from the Caligulas wild mood swings. The ruins were found on Palatine Hill, where they joined the Temple of Castor and Pollox. Some historians, like Stephen Dando-Collins, assert that this is just legend. He flew into a rage and had him viciously whipped. Instead, the reputation of the mad emperor could have been one fabricated by political rivals. Caligula allegedly had a bridge from his home built to the temple of Jupiter to illustrate his divine power. Roman Emperor Caligula's massive party ships were not burned by the Much to everyones surprise, Claudius, Caligulas much older Uncle, was called to take up the throne. Who was worse Nero or Caligula? Many people in Rome were utterly shocked that the emperor would show such mercy to the boy. Updates? But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! After Germanicus died in 17 A.D., Caligulas 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. Rome didnt let Caligulas cruel and disturbing behavior go unnoticed. Caligulas wife Caesonia and his daughter were also put to death. Caligula (3) She has produced writing for a wide range of arts organizations including Tate Modern, The National Galleries of Scotland, Art Monthly, and Scottish Art News, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. Agrippina often and openly expressed her dislike for her sons predecessor, Emperor Tiberius. 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 41 A.D., he was attacked by a cabal of. Which Roman Emperor Slept With A Horse? - Great American Adventures 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. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images. Caligula is most known for his cruelty and madness which he exhibited through the harsh taxes he levied on his citizens, the execution of senators whom he deemed untrustworthy, and other. Who Made His Horse A Roman Consul? - Great American Adventures Suetonius recorded that the Romans sacrificed a whopping 160,000 animals in the first three months of Caligulas reign. One writer described him as the first emperor who everyone in the Empire lovedif only they had known what was coming. Pubic DomainCaligula in a winged helmet and holding double-headed arrows before a military scene in the background, even though the emperor had no military experience. Though accounts of this event come from years after Caligulas reign, based on what we know about him, is it really that far-fetched? And his only ambition to that point must have been to survive.. He does not know yet hes about to be named the new emperor. Upon taking power, Claudius . He also apparently suffered from faintness throughout his lifeperiods where he was incapable of almost any effort. They ordered the destruction of his statues and propped up a new Republic under the reign of Caligulas uncle, Claudius, who was found cowering behind a set of curtains while Caligula and his immediate family were executed. The Senate was eager to rid history of the man. Tiberius summoned Caligula to the island of Capri where, by conflicting accounts, was either treated like a prince or a prisoner by the emperor. His First Few Months As Emperor Went Reasonably Well, 5. Adopting his fathers distinguished name, he became Gaius Caesar Germanicus. The Julio-Claudian dynasty would remain secure for another 17 years, until Neros suicide in 68. ), most commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 37 C.E. All Rights Reserved. The Roman historian Philo described those first few months as blissful, but the bliss ended almost as quickly as it started. Many historians, both ancient and modern, have tried to explain what made Caligula so mad. named his stepson Tiberius as his heir, but with one very specific condition. He retreated to his behaviors on Capri, and with that, the hedonistic ruler infamous today was born. But growing up in the environment Caligula experienced, rife with murder, execution, and suicide, anyone could have become paranoid. After publicly declaring her desire for revenge, Tiberius swiftly had Agrippa and her children imprisoned, where they later died. They rallied around Claudius and declared him the new emperor. Wikimedia CommonsDrusilla, Caligulas sister, is seated to the right of Felix, who is center. In 2003, archaeologists from the US and Britain located what they believe to be the site of Caligulas palace. Tiberius was responsible for wiping out most of Caligulas family, but when the emperor offered to make Caligula his heir, the boy wasnt about to say no! 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. Indeed, at some point in his reign, Caligula was said to have been plagued with headaches. In yet another of the famous stories about Caligulas megalomania, he once stood near a statue of Jupiter and asked a nearby actor who was more mightyhimself or the god.

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