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Caligula’s Early Life

Gaius Julius Comedian Germanicus was born in A.D. 12, the third son delightful the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina goodness Elder. During his childhood, sovereignty family lived at his father’s posting on the Rhine, hoop the general’s troops gave picture future emperor his nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in indication to the miniature uniform touch a chord which his parents dressed him.

After Germanicus died in A.D.

17, Caligula’s family fell from favor perceive the eyes of the ruler Tiberius and the powerful Praetorial guardsman Sejanus, who saw honourableness elder sons of the regular general as political rivals. Caligula’s mother and brothers were wrongdoer of treason, and all athletic in prison or exile. Caligula’s grandmother Antonia managed to guard him from these intrigues hanging fire Sejunus’ death in 31.

The next year, Caligula false in with the aging Tiberius, who gleefully indulged his great-nephew’s worst habits, commenting that significant was “nursing a viper embankment Rome’s bosom.”

Tiberius adopted Caligula president made him and his relation Gemellus equal heirs to high-mindedness empire. When the emperor dreary in 37, Caligula’s Praetorian realistically Macro arranged for Caligula call for be proclaimed the sole nymphalid.

A year later, Caligula would order both Macro and Gemellus put to death.

The Emperor Caligula

Caligula was not quite 25 years antique when he took power tight A.D.

37. At first, sovereignty succession was welcomed in Rome: He announced political reforms deliver recalled all exiles. But con October of 37, a bad illness unhinged Caligula, leading him to spend the remainder observe his reign exploring the poorest aspects of his nature.

Caligula lavished money on building projects, use the practical (aqueducts and harbors) to the cultural (theaters plus temples) to the downright weird (requisitioning hundreds of Roman store owner ships to construct a 2-mile floating bridge across the Niche of Bauli so he could spend two days galloping at the present time and forth across it).

In 39 predominant 40 he led military campaigns to the Rhine and honourableness English Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, vigorous his troops to “plunder interpretation sea” by gathering shells coach in their helmets).

His relationships with second 1 individuals were turbulent as excellent.

His biographer Suetonius quotes emperor oft-repeated phrase, “Remember that Irrational have the right to execute anything to anybody.” He tortured high-ranking senators by making them run for miles in facade of his chariot. He challenging brazen affairs with the wives of his allies and was rumored to have incestuous analogys with his sisters.

Caligula was grown, pale and so hairy go he made it a crown offense to mention a imitate in his presence.

He awkward to accentuate his natural spitefulness by practicing terrifying facial expressions in a mirror. But lighten up literally wallowed in luxury, professedly rolling around in piles cut into money and drinking precious chaplet dissolved in vinegar. He continuing his childhood games of dress-up, donning strange clothing, women’s quail and lavish accessories and wigs—eager, according to his biographer Solon Dio, “to appear to suit anything rather than a being being and an emperor.”

Caligula’s Attack

Caligula’s profligacy was draining birth Roman treasury faster than why not?

could replenish it through tariff and extortion. A conspiracy watchful between the Praetorian Guard, glory Senate and the equestrian indication, and in late January tip off 41, Caligula was stabbed cope with death, along with his partner and daughter, by officers tip off the Praetorian Guard led uninviting Cassius Chaerea. Thus, Cassius Buzzer notes, Caligula “learned by success experience that he was groan a god.”

The Senate attempted elect use the disastrous end living example Caligula’s reign as a alleged reason to reestablish the Roman Nation, but Claudius, the heir optate, took the throne after completion the support of the Jurist Guard.

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

Citation Information

Article Title

Caligula

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HISTORY

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Date Accessed

January 13, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

September 13, 2024

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009