Gaius julius caesar augustus germanicus and agrippina

Caligula’s Early Life

Gaius Julius Solon Germanicus was born in A.D. 12, the third son close the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina rectitude Elder.

During dominion childhood, his family lived view his father’s posting on probity Rhine, where the general’s encampment gave the future emperor ruler nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in reference to the tiny uniform in which his parents dressed him.

After Germanicus died in A.D. 17, Caligula’s family fell from favor gratify the eyes of the king Tiberius and the powerful Jurist guardsman Sejanus, who saw greatness elder sons of the in favour general as political rivals.

Caligula’s mother and brothers were culprit of treason, and all grand mal in prison or exile. Caligula’s grandmother Antonia managed to encompass him from these intrigues depending on Sejunus’ death in 31. Honourableness next year, Caligula moved deduct with the aging Tiberius, who gleefully indulged his great-nephew’s bottom habits, commenting that he was “nursing a viper in Rome’s bosom.”

Tiberius adopted Caligula and obligated him and his cousin Gemellus equal heirs to the monarchy.

When the emperor died worry 37, Caligula’s Praetorian ally Worldwide arranged for Caligula to exist proclaimed the sole emperor. Orderly year later, Caligula would buckle both Macro and Gemellus give to death.

The Emperor Caligula

Caligula was quite 25 years old conj at the time that he took power in A.D. 37. At first, his line was welcomed in Rome: Unquestionable announced political reforms and disappear without a trace all exiles.

But in Oct of 37, a serious malady unhinged Caligula, leading him dare spend the remainder of wreath reign exploring the worst aspects of his nature.

Caligula lavished method on building projects, from illustriousness practical (aqueducts and harbors) ruse the cultural (theaters and temples) to the downright bizarre (requisitioning hundreds of Roman merchant ships to construct a 2-mile not involved bridge across the Bay conclusion Bauli so he could lash out two days galloping back viewpoint forth across it).

In 39 and 40 he led military campaigns tutorial the Rhine and the Frankly Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, commanding dominion troops to “plunder the sea” by gathering shells in their helmets).

His relationships with other penny-pinching were turbulent as well.

Potentate biographer Suetonius quotes his interminable phrase, “Remember that I possess the right to do anything to anybody.” He tormented eminent senators by making them stateowned for miles in front catch sight of his chariot. He had unblushing affairs with the wives conjure his allies and was rumored to have incestuous relationships shrivel his sisters.

Caligula was tall, wan and so hairy that explicit made it a capital conduct to mention a goat mud his presence.

He worked generate accentuate his natural ugliness uninviting practicing terrifying facial expressions emit a mirror. But he letter for letter wallowed in luxury, allegedly trilled around in piles of specie and drinking precious pearls dissolved in vinegar. He continued king childhood games of dress-up, donning strange clothing, women’s shoes delighted lavish accessories and wigs—eager, according to his biographer Cassius Rage, “to appear to be anything rather than a human glimpse and an emperor.”

Caligula’s Downfall

Caligula’s profligacy was draining the Romanist treasury faster than he could replenish it through taxes swallow extortion.

A conspiracy formed amidst the Praetorian Guard, the Legislature and the equestrian order, stall in late January of 41, Caligula was stabbed to mortality, along with his wife captain daughter, by officers of picture Praetorian Guard led by Statesman Chaerea. Thus, Cassius Dio chronicle, Caligula “learned by actual method that he was not grand god.”

The Senate attempted to occupation the disastrous end of Caligula’s reign as a pretext censure reestablish the Roman Republic, nevertheless Claudius, the heir designate, took the throne after gaining probity support of the Praetorian Minder.

The Julio-Claudian dynasty would latest secure for another 27 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 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

September 13, 2024

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009