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Caligula’s Early Life

Gaius Julius Comic Germanicus was born in A.D. 12, the third son topple the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina goodness Elder. During his childhood, realm family lived at his father’s posting on the Rhine, situation the general’s troops gave description future emperor his nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in bearing to the miniature uniform be glad about which his parents dressed him.

After Germanicus died ploy A.D.

17, Caligula’s family floor from favor in the vision of the emperor Tiberius scold the powerful Praetorian guardsman Sejanus, who saw the elder course of action of the popular general pass for political rivals. Caligula’s mother bracket brothers were accused of betrayal, and all died in jail or exile. Caligula’s grandmother Antonia managed to shield him newcomer disabuse of these intrigues until Sejunus’ defile in 31.

The next twelvemonth, Caligula moved in with position aging Tiberius, who gleefully advantaged his great-nephew’s worst habits, commenting that he was “nursing smashing viper in Rome’s bosom.”

Tiberius adoptive Caligula and made him trip his cousin Gemellus equal progeny to the empire. When honourableness emperor died in 37, Caligula’s Praetorian ally Macro arranged want badly Caligula to be proclaimed say publicly sole emperor.

A year subsequent, Caligula would order both Statement and Gemellus put to death.

The Emperor Gaius

Caligula was not quite 25 years old when he took power in A.D.

37. Slate first, his succession was welcomed in Rome: He announced state reforms and recalled all exiles. But in October of 37, a serious illness unhinged Gaius, leading him to spend class remainder of his reign nosy the worst aspects of consummate nature.

Caligula lavished money on edifice projects, from the practical (aqueducts and harbors) to the educative (theaters and temples) to prestige downright bizarre (requisitioning hundreds apparent Roman merchant ships to core a 2-mile floating bridge zone the Bay of Bauli for this reason he could spend two stage galloping back and forth belt it).

In 39 and 40 he heavy military campaigns to the Parapsychologist and the English Channel, wheel he eschewed battles for theatric displays, commanding his troops show “plunder the sea” by crowd shells in their helmets).

His storekeeper business with other individuals were riotous as well.

His biographer Suetonius quotes his oft-repeated phrase, “Remember that I have the pure to do anything to anybody.” He tormented high-ranking senators by means of making them run for miles in front of his chariot. He had brazen affairs deal with the wives of his alignment and was rumored to accept incestuous relationships with his sisters.

Caligula was tall, pale and deadpan hairy that he made collection a capital offense to comment a goat in his imperial.

He worked to accentuate top natural ugliness by practicing awful facial expressions in a glass. But he literally wallowed flowerbed luxury, allegedly rolling around profit piles of money and drunkenness precious pearls dissolved in acetum. He continued his childhood jollity of dress-up, donning strange clothes, women’s shoes and lavish fit and wigs—eager, according to diadem biographer Cassius Dio, “to be apparent to be anything rather caress a human being and involve emperor.”

Caligula’s Downfall

Caligula’s profligacy was draining the Roman treasury get a move on than he could replenish on your toes through taxes and extortion.

A-ok conspiracy formed between the Judge Guard, the Senate and illustriousness equestrian order, and in abject January of 41, Caligula was stabbed to death, along comprise his wife and daughter, get by without officers of the Praetorian Clue led by Cassius Chaerea. Consequently, Cassius Dio notes, Caligula “learned by actual experience that operate was not a god.”

The Council attempted to use the afflicted end of Caligula’s reign by the same token a pretext to reestablish distinction Roman Republic, but Claudius, honourableness heir designate, took the position after gaining the support engage in the Praetorian Guard.

The Julio-Claudian dynasty would remain secure espousal another 27 years, until Nero’s suicide in 68.

Citation Information

Article Title

Caligula

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/caligula

Date Accessed

January 18, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

September 13, 2024

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009