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. Many historians, both ancient and modern, have tried to explain what made Caligula so mad. The boy was born into unimaginable nobility, as his family was the most esteemed in all of Rome and his great-great-grandfather was none other than Julius Caesar. We can thank the Roman historian Suetonius for the eroticism of the 1979 movie. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images. Known victims: Roman Emperor Claudius Britannicus. Only after Caligula suffered a near-fatal illness seven months into his reign did his personality and ruling style change dramatically, Dando-Collins posited. The Senate was eager to rid history of the man. Oddly enough, the people of ancient Rome were actually angry when Caligula was murdered. He enjoyed watching executions and indulged in scandalous behavior at nightbut thats not even the worst part: Tiberius knew what kind of person his heir was, but named him all the same. Caligulas nickname stemmed from the little boots he wore as a child while accompanying his father on military campaigns. Sometimes called pleasure barges, they were said to have marble dcor, mosaic floors, statues and there he held a succession of wild, debaucherous parties. Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. As we mentioned, he liked to dress as Neptune and Jupiter, but that was just the beginning. He then kills her and eats the fetus. Skip to main content Live TV Shows. Uncovered during the 1920s and 30s, they had mostly been destroyed during the Second World War, but a lead pipe was found bearing the inscription Property of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.. 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. Whether or not Caligula truly did engage in incest, however, is debated. According to Dando-Collins account, Caligula would have developed paranoia as part of bipolar disorder. He Turned A Military Campaign Into Performance Art, 8. Mussolini personally ordered the Lake Nemi excavation project, but he wasnt the first person to get his hands on the wreck. Were always looking for your input! Nero was worse, because Caligula was to put it succinctly batshit crazy. For one thing, his fellow lawmakers would likely have whisked him out of power for such conduct. Caligula took every step to ensure his popularity when he became emperor. Because Im sure that fooled everybody. Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus was born in 12 A.D., the third son of the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina the Elder. He grew up with a massive chip on his shoulderand it only got worse as he got older. With Malcolm McDowell as the eponymous emperor and Helen Mirren as his fourth wife Milonia Caesonia, the film doesnt shy away from depicting the kind of depravity legend had assigned to Caligula. For someone as megalomaniacal as Caligula, that idea was too good to pass up. 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). Some historians, like Stephen Dando-Collins, assert that this is just legend. Lazzaro Baldi (1624-1703). 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Caligula, byname of Gaius Caesar, in full Gaius Caesar Germanicus, (born August 31, 12 ce, Antium, Latium [Italy]died January 24, 41, Rome), Roman emperor from 37 to 41 ce, in succession after Tiberius. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. When young Gaius was growing up, his father would dress him in a child-sized soldiers uniform whenever he brought him on campaign. It was virtually impossible for senators to decipher how Caligula might react to any given matter. Eventually, when the crowds at chariot races supported teams other than his favorite Blues team, he spoke, only half-jokingly, of executing the lot of them.. He worked to accentuate his natural ugliness by practicing terrifying facial expressions in a mirror. In 39 and 40 he led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, commanding his troops to plunder the sea by gathering shells in their helmets). It was almost 300 feet long and outfitted with ornate mosaics, heating, and plumbing. Agrippina often and openly expressed her dislike for her sons predecessor, Emperor Tiberius. The emperor decided to do the same himself, and embarked on incestuous relationships with all three of his sisters in the hope of perfectly preserving his royal blood. It was the first major motion picture that juxtaposed segments featuring respected, mainstream actors with scenes that were essentially pornographic. They rallied around Claudius and declared him the new emperor. By no means do all modern authors assume Caligula was insane, Winterling wrote. Caligula was the son of Augustus' adopted grandson, the very popular Germanicus, and his wife, Agrippina the Elder who was Augustus' granddaughter and a paragon of womanly virtue. Remarkable men all aroundbut Caligula would soon prove that the apple can fall very, very far from the tree. He especially didnt want any reminders of his resemblance to a goat. She went out on campaigns with his father, the beloved general Germanicus, and served as his advisor. He often bragged that he once carried a dagger into Emperor Tiberiuss bedroom with the intention of killing him, avenging his mother and brothers. Did you know? His reign from 37-41 AD is filled with murder and debauchery, to levels even his infamous nephew Nero could not reach. 14. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her long-time partner and her dog. Lazzaro Baldi (1624-1703). The senators set about restoring the Roman Republic, but there was one glaring problem. But Caligulas death wasnt enough for those who were fed up with his reign. In one famous incident, Caligula arranged for hundreds of merchant ships to, form a 3-mile long floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae. 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. 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. Lets take a look at the most outlandish and unusual escapades surrounding his reign from 37-41 A.D. and how they ultimately led to his downfall. Gaius was a loyal little soldier, then, and his eternal nickname Caligula was born while on these campaigns as hed wear a military uniform replete with little boots, and subsequently became a sort of mascot to the troops. Introduction. The great-great grandson of Julius Caesar certainly left his mark by his possible madness and definitely horrific acts. What is Caligula most famous for? All Rights Reserved. Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. But assuming the much-maligned emperor was the loon his chroniclers describe, some scholars have suggested that an illness made him come unhingedpossibly temporal lobe epilepsy, hyperthyroidism or Wilsons disease, an inherited disorder that can cause mental instability. If the Senate had gotten its way, Caligulas ruinous end would have been the end of the Roman Empire. Adopting his fathers distinguished name, he became Gaius Caesar Germanicus. British MuseumLegend has it that Caligula loved his horse Incitatus so much he planned on anointing it to high office. What is Caligula most known for? Reportedly, Caligula often mocked Chaerea for his feeble voice and called him derogatory names in public. 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. Some writers believe that Caligula lived in constant fear of having a seizure, and this made him paranoid and cruel. Much to everyones surprise, Claudius, Caligulas much older Uncle, was called to take up the throne. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. Not only did he dress as gods and demigods like Hercules, Mercury, Venus, and Apollo, but he ordered a bridge to be built that connected his palace to the Temple of Jupiter. Im sure Caligula did this and worse to countless people in Romebut this was one man he never should have crossed. The real name given to this notorious Emperor was Gaius Caesar Germanicus, from his parents Germanicus and Agrippa the Elder. In an instant, Caligulas entire family was in the ground. It could be that Gaius Caesar Germanicus was simultaneously treated like a prince while forced to remain on the island as Tiberius prisoner. Then, learn about the incredible true story of Charles Van Doren and the Quiz Show scandals. Then Caligula hit the scene, and things changed fast. Even today, historians cant quite agree on his reason for building them. Two Pleasure Barges Were Built In Lake Nemi. And while he complained about the rulings of the Senate, he never overturned those rulings, even though he had the power to do so.. For his part, Dando-Collins asserts that Caligula could have been insane, but because he was driven so by a mental disorder. But in October of 37, a serious illness unhinged Caligula, leading him to spend the remainder of his reign exploring the worst aspects of his nature. So how did explorers finally find the ships that had been lost for almost two millennia? Sometimes called pleasure barges, they were said to have marble dcor, mosaic floors, statues and there he held a succession of wild, debaucherous parties. Its thought that during this tumultuous period in Caligulas life, he began to relish in the macabre. 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. Whether or not that is the case, the mad emperor was stabbed more than 30 times and died on the spot. Drusilla, Caligulas sister, is seated to the right of Felix, who is center. 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. . Next, the conspirators went looking for Caligulas sickly uncle Claudius. 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. Resentment grew in nearly every level of government, but in 40 AD, Caligula finally went too farand in doing so, sealed his dark fate. We spoke to award-winning historical writer and biographer Stephen Dando-Collins, whose upcoming biography Caligula: The Mad Emperor of Rome explores just how extreme the ruler was. Remembered as a cruel and erratic tyrant, his deranged tendencies threw Rome into chaosand eventually caused his violent end. Tiberius agreed, and Augustus diedcompletely unaware that his best-laid plans were about to go down in flames. Where Are These 20 WWII Most Wanted Artworks? According to reports, Chaerea struck first, but soon the entire crowd swarmed the Emperor, viciously cutting him down where he stood. If a Roman wanted to honor someone on meeting them, or ingratiate themselves with them, they gave the other person the upper hand in the handshake deliberately offering their right hand palm up, so that the other person had the dominant position, palm down, Dando-Collins wrote. What is Caligula most famous for? Read on for 42 facts about the man who thought himself a god. According to historians, around 39 AD, he removed and replaced all of the Consuls without asking the Senates approval. Stephen Dando-Collins reported that he found numerous similarities between Caligula and Donald Trump. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. Just like that. Sources:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, Truth Hurts: Binge-Worthy Stories About The Biggest Liars Of All Time, The Unforgettable Story Of Wu Zetian, China's Most Ruthless Empress, Im Done: These People Quit Their Bad Jobs And Toxic Relationships In Epic Ways, Lawyers Share Their Oh GOD Moments In Court, Over My Dead Body: These Outrageous Funerals Prove Drama Never Dies. Caligula was fond of spending money, but not so good at making it. When he went to actual performances, he also liked to sing along with actors. Some historians, like Stephen Dando-Collins, assert that this is just legend. Some historians have posited that Caligula was simply insane, but do not pinpoint any specific condition. When he first took power, Caligula hd the ashes of his mother and brother moved to the sacred tomb of his ancestors. He raised taxes to pay for his lavish lifestyle. What is Caligula most famous for? Did a horse become pope? He enjoyed watching executions and indulged in scandalous behavior at night, Caligula was cold-blooded from the start. Historians wrote that he would sleep with his own officials wives, then brag about it publicly in front of them. 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. 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. According to multiple Roman sources, Caligula treated his favorite force, Incitatus, better than most people. He galloped back and forth across the bridge on his horse for two days straight, wearing a dazzling golden cape. 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. But if his leadership skills were so abysmal, some scholars. Find out whether the much-maligned emperor was as crazy as they say. Caligulas plan was the last straw for many powerful people in Rome. 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. 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. Caligula "Little Boots" Known as "Caligula" ('Little Boots'), Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born August 31, CE 12, died 41 CE, and ruled as emperor 37-41 CE. He was nonetheless named sole emperor of Rome. He soon became one of the most hated people in the entire empire. When Germanicus died, Caligulas mother Agrippa firmly believed Tiberius was to blame. 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. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Ethics vs. the Law: Whats the Difference? Writers describe him as skinny, pale, and sickly, with hollow eyes and thin hair. His behaviour was so erratic that people wondered if he was suffering from some form of madness. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. When Caligula recovered, he discovered Macros plansand condemned his one-time ally to a horrifying fate. As with most of these sudden deaths that surrounded Caligulas life, a debate rages on as to whether or not the woman committed suicide or was, indeed, poisoned by the emperor. Caligula (12-41) was the third emperor of Rome. The first Roman emperor named his stepson Tiberius as his heir, but with one very specific condition. New York Public LibraryClaudius crouches behind a curtain as Caligula lies assassinated before him. Caligula is often remembered as a selfish and capricious ruler whose ineptitude weakened the Roman empire during his four-year reign. The story says that he couldnt return to Rome without a victory of some kind, so he declared war on Neptune and ordered his men to whip the waves. One historian, Tacitus, wrote that Macro smothered the dying Tiberius with a pillow to make sure that Caligula rose to the thronebut Suetonius suggested an even darker fate. Born Gaius Caesar, he became known as Caligula (Little Boot), a childhood nickname bestowed on him by the soldiers of his father, Germanicus Caesar, nephew and adoptive son of Tiberius. Apparently, when he entered the room and found Tiberius asleep, he had a change of heart and left, but he still felt like people had to know that he could have done it. Most of the myths are just that, myths. Dando-Collins asserted. ), most commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 37 C.E. A prominent figure in political circles, she also spoke out against Augustus successor Tiberius, whom she hated. There is a significant amount of evidence, however, that high-born women were as well. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images.Caligula is stabbed to death. 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? Cruel and tyrannicalEmperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. The most famous story about Incitatus is that Incitatus made him a consul in the Incitatus.. Who made his horse a consul? He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, but his bipolar symptoms escaped diagnosis because the condition was unknown to physicians in his day. There are no real parallels between Richard Nixon and Caligula other than the fact that both were corrupted by power. Caligula (2) But his insanity, coupled with his power as Emperor of Rome, would secure him a most unusual legacy. Whether it was lowering taxes or buying extravagances for himself, none of these came cheap, and Rome started running out of money fast. He freed those his predecessor had unjustly imprisoned and eliminated a universally unpopular tax. 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. Aside from the obvious political motivations, Chaerea had a personal vendetta against the emperor as well. DeAgostini/Getty ImagesCaligula lies dead in the foreground after having already been executed, while his wife and daughter are murdered beside him. Conflict erupted at the highest ranks of Roman societyand the aftermath was absolutely brutal. Rome didnt let Caligulas cruel and disturbing behavior go unnoticed. Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (August 31, 12 - January 24, 41 C.E. He particularly enjoyed silks and ornately decorated items, but he also had some unusual tastes. 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. The deaths of his father in 19 ce, of his mother, Vipsania Agrippina, in 33, and of his two elder brothers, Julius Caesar Nero in 31 and Drusus Caesar in 23, were popularly ascribed to the machinations of Tiberius. Caligula Had A Complicated Relationship With Emperor Tiberius, Caligulas father, Germanicus, was the nephew and adopted son of Emperor, 4. It wasn't just an upgraded stable, either. Caligula was tall, pale and so hairy that he made it a capital offense to mention a goat in his presence. Caligula built two lavish barges to be situated on lake Nemi. According to Suetonius, on one of his parents' military campaigns, Caligula suffered from the falling sickness, the name for epilepsy1,3. Naturally, soiling the Roman Empires corridors of power with such madness wasnt well-received by virtually anyone. The first to stab Caligula is said to have been Chaerea. Who was Caligula's lover? 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. Apparently, when he entered the room and found Tiberius asleep, he had a change of heart and left, but he still felt like people had to know that he, 41. Tiberius, Augustus stepson, had little desire to become emperor.