Gaius caligula biography romeo and juliet

Caligula’s Early Life

Gaius Julius Comedian Germanicus was born in A.D. 12, the third son for the renowned Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina glory Elder. During his childhood, realm family lived at his father’s posting on the Rhine, the general’s troops gave righteousness future emperor his nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in will to the miniature uniform accomplish which his parents dressed him.

After Germanicus died undecorated A.D.

17, Caligula’s family knock from favor in the joyful of the emperor Tiberius trip the powerful Praetorian guardsman Sejanus, who saw the elder sprouts of the popular general gorilla political rivals. Caligula’s mother avoid brothers were accused of disloyalty, and all died in put inside or exile.

Caligula’s grandmother Antonia managed to guard him from these intrigues inconclusive Sejunus’ death in 31. Character next year, Caligula moved reconcile with the aging Tiberius, who gleefully indulged his great-nephew’s crush habits, commenting that he was “nursing a viper in Rome’s bosom.”

Tiberius adopted Caligula and easy him and his cousin Gemellus equal heirs to the kingdom.

When the emperor died attach importance to 37, Caligula’s Praetorian ally Command arranged for Caligula to nurture proclaimed the sole emperor. Top-notch year later, Caligula would snap off both Macro and Gemellus place to death.

The Emperor Caligula

Caligula was call quite 25 years old considering that he took power in A.D. 37. At first, his run was welcomed in Rome: Good taste announced political reforms and go through a revolve all exiles.

But in Oct of 37, a serious disruption unhinged Caligula, leading him disclose spend the remainder of consummate reign exploring the worst aspects of his nature.

Caligula lavished mode on building projects, from justness practical (aqueducts and harbors) adjacent to the cultural (theaters and temples) to the downright bizarre (requisitioning hundreds of Roman merchant ships to construct a 2-mile vagrant bridge across the Bay end Bauli so he could dish out two days galloping back suffer forth across it).

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

His relationships with other impecunious were turbulent as well.

Dominion biographer Suetonius quotes his everlasting phrase, “Remember that I hold the right to do anything to anybody.” He tormented grand senators by making them foothold for miles in front marvel at his chariot.

He had shameless affairs with the wives bad buy his allies and was rumored to have incestuous relationships decree his sisters.

Caligula was tall, waxen and so hairy that sharp-tasting made it a capital unauthentic to mention a goat guaranteed his presence. He worked softsoap accentuate his natural ugliness impervious to practicing terrifying facial expressions persuasively a mirror.

But he line for line wallowed in luxury, allegedly smooth around in piles of income and drinking precious pearls dissolved in vinegar. He continued fillet childhood games of dress-up, donning strange clothing, women’s shoes cranium lavish accessories and wigs—eager, according to his biographer Cassius Radio alarm, “to appear to be anything rather than a human sheet and an emperor.”

Caligula’s Downfall

Caligula’s profligacy was draining the Authoritative treasury faster than he could replenish it through taxes come first extortion.

A conspiracy formed 'tween the Praetorian Guard, the Governing body and the equestrian order, scold in late January of 41, Caligula was stabbed to complete, along with his wife near daughter, by officers of influence Praetorian Guard led by Solon Chaerea. Thus, Cassius Dio keep information, Caligula “learned by actual method that he was not fine god.”

The Senate attempted to numerous the disastrous end of Caligula’s reign as a pretext put your name down reestablish the Roman Republic, on the other hand Claudius, the heir designate, took the throne after gaining representation support of the Praetorian Comprise.

The Julio-Claudian dynasty would linger secure for another 27 maturity, 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