They include the. After learning about Emperor Caligula, read about Hypatia of Alexandria, an ancient Greek intellectual killed for her beliefs. He especially didnt want any reminders of his resemblance to a goat. Gaius and his three sisters survived. Either affectionately or mockingly, Germanicus troops called the boy Caligula, meaning Little Boots or Booties. The nickname stuck, but Gaius reportedly hated it. Emperor Caligula: 16 Facts About the Cruel Roman Emperor He loved watching tortures and executions; and, disguised in wig and robe, abandoned himself nightly to the pleasures of feasting and scandalous living.. Caligula was born as Emperor Augustus lay dying. The second lover was the Emperor's favorite, and also the best dancer of his time. She went out on campaigns with his father, the beloved general Germanicus, and served as his advisor. Dick Cheney can be compared to Sejanus, head of the Praetorian Guard under Caligulas predecessor Tiberius. No One Was Safe When Caligula Was Around, The gladiatorial games were not only for public exhibition and political reputation, but also to serve up Roman justice. Most people know him from the infamous 1979 explicit film. It was the first major motion picture that juxtaposed segments featuring respected, mainstream actors with scenes that were essentially pornographic. Both Gaius great-grandfather Augustus and father Germanicus were largely heralded and respected in their times, but his legacy would be a sadistic one. When Germanicus died under suspicious circumstances, Agrippina boldly accused one of his rivals of poisoning him. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Caligula-Roman-emperor, GlobalSecurity.org - Biography of Caligula. 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. Caligula (12-41 C. E.) was the third emperor of Rome. British MuseumLegend has it that Caligula loved his horse Incitatus so much he planned on anointing it to high office. The reign of Augustus, the first emperor, was nearing its end when Caligula was born. One theory suggests epilepsy as the main cause of his headaches and that he was perhaps deathly afraid of impending seizures. 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. By the time Caligula died, he was so hated that the Senate pushed to have him completely erased from Roman history. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Some historians, like Stephen Dando-Collins, assert that this is just legend. He even turned murder into a sport, attacking people at random, prompting abject fear into everyone around him. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. Desperate to take home a victory, he waged an imaginary war with his army on the mythological sea-god Neptune, ordering them to whip the waves, and to plunder the sea for shells as the spoils of war. Caligula was fond of spending money, but not so good at making it. 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. He introduced new taxes, and doctored legal documents so that he could lay claim to assets that were left to Tiberius. This cognitive dissonance and confusing treatment perhaps left Caligula traumatized, according to several historians. Simple: they drained the lake! Making distraction rewarding since 2017. Cruel and tyrannicalEmperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. The ruins were found on Palatine Hill, where they joined the Temple of Castor and Pollox. But he literally wallowed in luxury, allegedly rolling around in piles of money and drinking precious pearls dissolved in vinegar. One was the Dagger, and the other the Sword. They contained the names of people whom he wanted to prosecute, imprison, or execute. He called himself Jupiter, after the Roman King of the Gods, and made senators refer to him as such. Caligula, born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus in 12 AD, was the Emperor of Rome between 37 and 41 AD. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. 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. In 40 AD, he began making plans to permanently move to Alexandria, taking the capital with him. The ruins of the house of Caligula as photographed in 1910. Then Caligula hit the scene, and things changed fast. If the Senate had gotten its way, Caligulas ruinous end would have been the end of the Roman Empire. One of his favorites was to accuse someone of treason or some other crime, and have them fined, imprisoned, or even executed. Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (August 31, 12 - January 24, 41 C.E. So when Caligula took the throne, the Romans rejoiced. As well as having criminals and slaves sacrificed before an audience for entertainment, he was said to have even fed a section of the crowd to the beasts because they were running low on criminals. Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. Caligula - Horse, Facts & Emperor - HISTORY Accounts of Caligulas reign by ancient historians are so biased against him that the truth is almost impossible to disentangle. As legend has it, he likened himself to an immortal God who could do anything to anyone, rampaging through Rome on an unstoppable streak of spending, adultery and murder. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. And while he complained about the rulings of the Senate, he never overturned those rulings, even though he had the power to do so.. 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. Caligula could be utterly monstrous in his dealings with humans, but that doesnt mean he disregarded all forms of life: He loved his horse Incitatus so much that he gave him his own house with a marble stall and manger made from ivory. According to Suetonius, Caligula managed to blow 2.7 billion sesterces in just the first year of his reign. He enjoyed watching executions and indulged in scandalous behavior at night, Caligula was cold-blooded from the start. A.D., Caligula led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, hoping to follow in the almighty legacy of his fearless father Germanicus. Hey, as long as hes not executing people on a whim, Id say thats a good thing. Female Gladiators In Ancient Rome - World History Encyclopedia He purged anyone who appeared loyal to the prior emperor, including his own wife. Caligula was born as Emperor Augustus lay dying. Rachel Seigel is an avid reader and book enthusiast with over 15 years of experience writing. After his accession, Caligula squandered the vast sums Tiberius had accumulated in the state treasury, executed rivals and supporters alike, made pretensions to divinity, and erected statues of himself. Caligula allegedly had a bridge from his home built to the temple of Jupiter to illustrate his divine power. Drusilla, Caligulas sister, is seated to the right of Felix, who is center. Whether or not that is the case, the mad emperor was stabbed more than 30 times and died on the spot. His nickname "Caligula" translates to "Little Boot." According to Suetoniuss biography, lightning utterly terrified Caligula. Such a thing would have been extremely taboo at the timebut Caligula figured himself a god anyway, so I doubt that would have stopped him. The first Roman emperor. When archaeologists finally uncovered the wreck in 1932, they were shocked at just how advanced the ship was. Remembered as a cruel and erratic tyrant, his deranged tendencies threw Rome into chaosand eventually caused his violent end. He also rebuilt the walls at the temples of Syracuse and built a city in the Alps. And as if that wasnt enough, he also had his dinner table set with golden loaves of bread. Married Four Times, Each Was Short Lived, 13. Read on for 42 facts about the man who thought himself a god. Corrections? Some scholars believe that he intended to establish a Hellenistic-type monarchy after the brother-sister marriages of the Ptolemies of Egypt. So, how did he justify this ridiculous excess? He particularly enjoyed silks and ornately decorated items, but he also had some unusual tastes. 12. named his stepson Tiberius as his heir, but with one very specific condition. Cassius Chaerea, one of Caligulas own guardsmen, knew this better than any, so he hatched a dark plan to put an end to Caligulas madness once and for all. Not the kind of man youd want to have absolute powerbut this is just the beginning of his cruel antics. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her long-time partner and her dog. 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, Even before he was Emperor, Caligula had an innate viciousness. 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. 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. According to Suetonius, Caligula in his infinite profligacy once constructed a temporary floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae just so he could ride triumphantly from one end to the other. Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. All of this sounds like totally normal behavior for the most powerful person on Earth. Some historians believe he was poisoned, while others have staunchly contested this. He Turned A Military Campaign Into Performance Art, 8. The jubilant public celebrated Caligulas ascension the only way they knew how: they started sacrificing animalsand a lot of them. 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. When Germanicus died, Caligulas mother Agrippa firmly believed Tiberius was to blame. Gifts included flamingoes, peacocks, and other exotic animals that the Romans greatly admired. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Caligula, known for his taste for opulent luxury and love of outlandish parties, had the "pleasure boats" equipped with artwork - including marble statues and mosaics, archeologists believe. Each day, he had the statue dressed in whatever he was wearing, and Romes wealthiest citizens would make offerings to the emperor there. The gladiatorial games were not only for public exhibition and political reputation, but also to serve up Roman justice. He only survived to become emperor by chance, Dando-Collins concluded. A little self-conscious maybe? In 31 AD, he summoned Caligula to his pleasure island of Capri and adopted the boy. 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. Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. Discover why the name of Caligula is notorious throughout the world. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. Just like that. He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, but his bipolar symptoms escaped diagnosis because the condition was unknown to physicians in his day. He died at just 28 years old, but his reign was a legendary frenzy of lunacy, murder, and lust. (Some scholars think his wife Agrippina, granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus, chose the getup to emphasize her familys imperial pedigree.) Oddly enough, the people of ancient Rome were actually angry when Caligula was murdered. Thin, pale, and covered in large amounts of fine hair, Caligula was not blessed with natural good looks.