Thats what I love when Im at a show: to hear the jerk next to me sing instead of the trained professionals on stage. Wikimedia CommonsDrusilla, Caligulas sister, is seated to the right of Felix, who is center. Accounts of Caligulas reign by ancient historians are so biased against him that the truth is almost impossible to disentangle. Which Emperor Married A Horse? - Great American Adventures The Inspiring Story Of Joe Medicine Crow, The Plains War Chief Who Fought The Nazis During World War II, Robert Hansen: The Alaskan Serial Killer Who Hunted His Victims Like Animals, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. After his accession, Caligula squandered the vast sums Tiberius had accumulated in the state treasury, executed rivals and supporters alike, made pretensions to divinity, and erected statues of himself. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. After all, he came from a pretty amazing pedigree, and many were sympathetic to the nightmares he went through as a child. As well as having criminals and slaves sacrificed before an audience for entertainment, he was said to have even fed a section of the crowd to the beasts because they were running low on criminals. What is Caligula most known for? - Studybuff 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. Dressed in proper soldier attire with boots and armor, he earned the nickname . An Overview of the First 12 Roman Emperors Tiberiuss son died, perhaps murdered by a political rival. At Tiberius funeral, he delivered a passionate and weepy speech in the deceased emperors honor and gave him an extravagant burial. Hey, as long as hes not executing people on a whim, Id say thats a good thing. Tiberius will named Caligula co-heir with his younger cousin Tiberius Gemellus, but the Senate rejected these provisions and gave complete imperial power to Caligula, who instead made Gemellus, Even before he was Emperor, Caligula had an innate viciousness. Germanicus brought Gaius Caesar Germanicus, as young as three, along with him on his military campaigns. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images.Caligula is stabbed to death. Ptolemy wasnt about to anger the emperor, so he obligedbut hed never see his homeland again. Whether or not that is the case, the mad emperor was stabbed more than 30 times and died on the spot. The narcissism didnt end there. According to Suetonius, an ancient historian, Caligula's horse Incitatus had a stable made of marble and a stall made of ivory. Emperor Caligula: 16 Facts About the Cruel Roman Emperor Caligula in a winged helmet and holding double-headed arrows before a military scene in the background, even though the emperor had no military experience. Roman Emperors: 16 Notorious Leaders That Defined Ancient Rome. For someone as megalomaniacal as Caligula, that idea was too good to pass up. From 39 to 40. Even in those days Caligula could not control his natural brutality, Suetonius wrote. Was Ancient Roman Emperor Caligula Actually The Insane, Sadistic Pervert Everyone Thinks? Claudius wasnt exactly the most able combatant, so his response to his nephews murder was to hide in a curtain. He also apparently suffered from faintness throughout his lifeperiods where he was incapable of almost any effort. He lavished his fine steed with attention, giving him his own house with a marble stall and an ivory manger, and even openly expressed his plans to declare his horse a Roman consulate. There is a significant amount of evidence, however, that high-born women were as well. It was an open secret throughout Rome that she intended to be the mother of emperorsbut she crossed the wrong man, and she would never live to see her dream come true. Stories surrounding the life of Emperor Caligula, Romes third, 1. If you think it seems strange that Tiberius would let Caligula live after killing almost his entire family, youre not the only one. The Senate was eager to rid history of the man. But this was Ancient Rome, and powerful people didnt usually drop dead without a reason; rumors spread like wildfire that Tiberius had been behind Germanicuss end. The 11 Most Sexually Depraved Things the Roman Emperors Ever Did Tiberius summoned Caligula to the island of Capri where, by conflicting accounts, was either treated like a prince or a prisoner by the emperor. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Next, the conspirators went looking for Caligulas sickly uncle Claudius. In the chilling days following Caligulas near-fatal illness, he had nearly every single one of his close family members executed. But did you know that one of his most trusted advisors was a horse? Caligulas nickname stemmed from the little boots he wore as a child while accompanying his father on military campaigns. As befitting a gilded emperor, Caligula absolutely loved gold. A.D., Caligula led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, hoping to follow in the almighty legacy of his fearless father Germanicus. He marched his troops to the northern shoreline of Gaul as a prelude to the invasion of Britain but then ordered them to collect seashells there, which he called the spoils of the conquered ocean. 7 Things You May Not Know About Caligula He then apparently laughed at the priest as he died. 7) Creating an Imperial Brothel. In one famous incident, Caligula arranged for hundreds of merchant ships to, form a 3-mile long floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae. He was nonetheless named sole emperor of Rome. But after only a few months he turned cruel and tyrannical, gradually changing into the most brutal leader the empire had ever seen. Sometimes called pleasure barges, they were said to have marble dcor, mosaic floors, statues and there he held a succession of wild, debaucherous parties. He began having his family members killed, beginning with his cousin (and heir) Gemellus. He does not know yet hes about to be named the new emperor. What can we say, when it came to hedonism, Caligula was way ahead of his time. His relationships with other individuals were turbulent as well. Which emperor was killed by his wife? 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. Ahh politics, making things as complicated as possible for thousands of years. His behaviour was so erratic that people wondered if he was suffering from some form of madness. It was virtually impossible for senators to decipher how Caligula might react to any given matter. And as you can imagine, his choice wasnt exactly humble. Despite his noted cruelty, Caligula did manage to complete some crucial building projects that his predecessor Tiberius had ignored. Tiberius was responsible for wiping out most of Caligulas family, but when the emperor offered to make Caligula his heir, the boy wasnt about to say no! 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? Enrico Verdesi, Rome, 1910/Photo by Print Collector/Getty Images. During his short reign, Caligula emerged as one of the most dominant leaders of Rome's early emperors. When they arrived on the scene, the emperor already lay deadbut that didnt stop them from getting their mad revenge. Gaius Caesar Germanicus, better known as Caligula, was 24 years old when he became the third Roman emperor in 37 A.D. 10 Facts That Show Why Caligula Was Rome's Craziest Emperor He purged anyone who appeared loyal to the prior emperor, including his own wife. Caligula apparently also enjoyed performing and liked to show off whenever possible. Historical accounts of Caligula may vary, but nearly all historians agreed on one dark fact: this deranged emperor placed very little value on human life. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Countless people died or were ruined as a result of his whims or paranoia. Claudius was Roman emperor from 41 to 54 CE. Caligula turned Roman Gladiatorial games into a demonstration of cruelty and power. Thanks for your help! Son of the great military hero Germanicus, the people had high hopes for their new, young Emperor. Others have focused on Caligulas impatience and irritability, as well as a recorded penchant of his for staring into the distance. 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. As we mentioned, he liked to dress as Neptune and Jupiter, but that was just the beginning. Emperor Caligula Wasnt His Birth Name, 2. Tinto Brass 1979 film is a historical drama that some have relegated as cinematic erotica. His Mother, Agrippa The Elder, Was A Force Of Nature, 3. We strive for accuracy and fairness. By the time Caligula died, he was so hated that the Senate pushed to have him completely erased from Roman history. According to reports, Chaerea struck first, but soon the entire crowd swarmed the Emperor, viciously cutting him down where he stood. According to Suetonius, on one of his parents' military campaigns, Caligula suffered from the falling sickness, the name for epilepsy1,3. 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. He may have suffered from epilepsy. Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. Suetonius recorded that the Romans sacrificed a whopping 160,000 animals in the first three months of Caligulas reign. When Caligula recovered, he discovered Macros plansand condemned his one-time ally to a horrifying fate. Caligula was born as Emperor Augustus lay dying. Well never know what really happened on that dark day, but the result was clear: Caligula took the throne, and Rome trembled. Caligula insisted that every Roman take an official oath of allegiance, not just to himself, but also to his sisters (remember some of the rumors about ol Little Boots and his sisters?). For one thing, the film has a scene in which Caligula cuts the fetus of his child with his sister, Drusilla, out of her body. They found evidence of palace walls that actually joined directly to the sacred temple. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her long-time partner and her dog. Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. Caligula - Wikipedia Others believe that one of them was constructed as a floating temple to the Goddess Diana, while the other was likely a floating palace where Caligula could indulge in his vices, #yachtlife style. Then, learn about the incredible true story of Charles Van Doren and the Quiz Show scandals. The Julio-Claudian dynasty would remain secure for another 17 years, until Neros suicide in 68. Russian President Vladimir Putin.. Caligula (3) May 1, 2020 By Rosie Lesso, MA Contemporary Art Theory, BA Fine Art Who was the most loved Roman emperor? Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. o, how did he justify this ridiculous excess? After killing Caligula, his assassins tracked down his wife and their young daughter, determined to eliminate any trace of the emperors bloodline. He often bragged that he once carried a dagger into Emperor Tiberiuss bedroom with the intention of killing him, avenging his mother and brothers. He even claimed that his grandfather, Augustus, had an incestuous affair with his daughter, Julia the Elder. . One of Tiberiuss first acts as emperor was to send Germanicus on a diplomatic mission, where the general mysteriously caught ill and died. The former could still very much be pinned on Caligula, as the tyrannical ruler had a way of intimidating people to death. Caligula, considered by many to be a mad and unpredictable tyrant, is also known for transferring the last legion under a senatorial proconsul to an imperial legate, completing the emperors monopoly of army command. And, believe it or not, he lived up to their greatest hopesat first. Married Four Times, Each Was Short Lived, 13. Caligula thought of himself as a godbut he was never a benevolent deity. For one thing, his fellow lawmakers would likely have whisked him out of power for such conduct. As a joke, Dando-Collins was sure to add. Stephen Dando-Collins reported that he found numerous similarities between Caligula and Donald Trump. Emperor Tiberius is said to have plotted the murder of Caligula's father and he also eliminated most of Caligula's family. He worked to accentuate his natural ugliness by practicing terrifying facial expressions in a mirror. But the young man ruled for only four years until he was brutally slain alongside his wife and daughter by a group of guardsmen and dumped into a shallow grave. One of the most pervasive legends about Caligula claims that he once went to war with Neptune, the God of the Sea, after being forced to abandon a military campaign to invade Britain. He did just this. But their attempt was unsuccessful; he remains today one of the most studied and written about Emperors of all time. Writers describe him as skinny, pale, and sickly, with hollow eyes and thin hair. The Roman emperor Caligula Incitatus. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images. Who was Caligula's lover? Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He laughed as he made everyone around them miserablebut he would eventually pay the ultimate price for it. Persichini. 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. On January 24 of 41 A.D., the emperor was assassinated by a group of guards after the Palatine Games celebrations. Gladiatorial Games Were Turned Into A Horrific Sport. New York Public LibraryClaudius crouches behind a curtain as Caligula lies assassinated before him. 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. Caligula gave his horse his own multiple-room house, complete with furniture and a crew of slaves who were ordered to follow the horse's every command. He grew up with a massive chip on his shoulderand it only got worse as he got older. And while he complained about the rulings of the Senate, he never overturned those rulings, even though he had the power to do so.. He Turned A Military Campaign Into Performance Art, 8. Tiberius agreed, and Augustus diedcompletely unaware that his best-laid plans were about to go down in flames. Caligula was born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus on August 31, 12 AD, in Antium, Italia, to Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. 14. Most of the myths are just that, myths. Dando-Collins asserted. Early in 40 Caligula marched with an army into Gaul, whose inhabitants he plundered thoroughly. When the emperor died in 37, Caligulas Praetorian ally Marco arranged for Caligula to be proclaimed the sole emperor. Tiberius was responsible for wiping out most of Caligulas family, but when the emperor offered to make Caligula his heir, the boy wasnt about to say no! Caligula often referred to himself as a god during political meetings and was even registered as such in public documents recording his attendance or appearance. In addition, Caligula maintained sexual relations with her sister's husband Marcus Lepidus and the actor pantomina Mnester. 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. Agrippina pushed this narrative a move that later cost her life. A depiction of Caligulas mother, Agrippina, who was imprisoned and starved to death for accusing the reigning emperor Tiberius of murdering her husband, Germanicus. He especially didnt want any reminders of his resemblance to a goat. to 41 C.E. For most of his youth, Caligulas great-grandmother Livia shielded him from politicsbut a sudden tragedy changed all of that. His reign from 37-41 AD is filled with murder and debauchery, to levels even his infamous nephew Nero could not reach. Two Pleasure Barges Were Built In Lake Nemi. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. To other accounts, he perhaps experienced a breakdown or an epileptic seizure. When his glorious (and pointless) bridge was completed, Caligula supposedly covered himself in a gold cloak, put on Alexander the Greats breastplate, and crossed the bridge on his horse, showing Thrasyllus for good. He soon became one of the most hated people in the entire empire. But these were just warmups for his grandest goal of all. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? The reign of Augustus, the first emperor, was nearing its end when Caligula was born. To protect himself whenever he was afraid, he was said to have worn a crown of laurels on his head, because the leaves were from a tree that never got hit by lightning. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/caligula. When archaeologists finally uncovered the wreck in 1932, they were shocked at just how advanced the ship was. A year later, Caligula would order both Marco and Gemellus put to death. But it was the other members of the Roman senate who appeared to suffer the most. Were always looking for your input! Caligula pursued his pretensions to divinity further; in the summer of 40 he ordered his statue to be erected in the Temple at Jerusalem, but, under the suave persuasion of Herod Agrippa, Caligula countermanded this potentially disastrous order. Junia died in childbirth a year after their wedding, and Caligula was left alone once again. Caligula effected the transfer of the last legion that had been under a senatorial proconsul (in Africa) to an imperial legate, thus completing the emperors monopoly of army command. According to contemporary accounts, Caligula, at least when he was young, was a gifted actor, and he managed to hide all of his dark feelings. But by far his most devious get-rich-quick scheme took place at one of his favorite hauntsthe gladiatorial arena. No traces of the stunt have ever materialized, so most historians dismiss it as myth. Also known as: Gaius Caesar, Gaius Caesar Germanicus. He had brazen affairs with the wives of his allies and was rumored to have incestuous relationships with his sisters. Sejanus manipulated the emperor and virtually ran the empire from his subordinate position. One theory is that he wanted to prove to the Egyptian leaders that Rome was capable of matching any luxury craft that they built. Caligula invited the ruler of Mauretania, Ptolemy, to Rome. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty ImagesCaligula give his horse Incitatus a drink during a banquet. What is Caligula most known for? - Aquarius Age Whatever the cause, historian and author Stephen Dando-Collins found through his own research that Caligulas illness caused an indisputable change in his temperament. . Where Are These 20 WWII Most Wanted Artworks? Caligula apparently also enjoyed performing and liked to show off whenever possible. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Approximately six to seven months after taking power, Caligula suddenly fell ill, possibly by poisoning. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. Caligula was not quite 25 years old when he took power in 37 A.D. At first, his succession was welcomed in Rome: He announced political reforms and recalled all exiles. Early in his reign, he decided to spend a fortune to build a floating bridge across the Bay of Naplesjust to stick it to one of his naysayers. Disturbed Facts About Caligula, The Mad Emperor He flew into a rage and had him viciously whipped. The third emperor reintroduced treason trials and performed public executions. And did this bother the man who thought himself a god? Rumour has it he even had statues beheaded, replacing their heads with his own. 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. What is Caligula most famous for? Caligula | 10 Interesting Facts On The Infamous Roman Emperor 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. He recovered, but by all accounts, the painful illness broke something in his mindand Rome shook from the consequences. The young Caligula barely survived the fallout of his fathers demise. Some historians, like Stephen Dando-Collins, assert that this is just legend. In 2003, archaeologists from the US and Britain located what they believe to be the site of Caligulas palace. He called himself Jupiter, after the Roman King of the Gods, and made senators refer to him as such. The ruins of the house of Caligula as photographed in 1910. 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. She went out on campaigns with his father, the beloved general Germanicus, and served as his advisor. As far as Caligula was concerned, fashion was fashion. 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. He was succeeded as emperor by his uncle Claudius. Caligula is often remembered as a selfish and capricious ruler whose ineptitude weakened the Roman empire during his four-year reign. Remember Macro, the Praetorian Guard who helped make Caligula emperor? Did a horse become pope? In observing the meetings of President Trump with world leaders over the past two years, I noticed that he yields the upper hand to some. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. Caligula lies dead in the foreground after having already been executed, while his wife and daughter are murdered beside him. Adopting his fathers distinguished name, he became Gaius Caesar Germanicus. Indeed, Caligula killed anyone who displeased him, regardless of how close they were to him. Corrections? Either way, Tiberius suddenly had no heir. The Roman populace had by now grown weary of this mad and unpredictable tyrant, and several conspiracies were formed against him. As an expression of his absolute power, Caligula planned to appoint the horse to the high office of consul, but he was assassinated before he could do so. The mans unleashed id became so apparent that even Tiberius made mention of it. Many historians, both ancient and modern, have tried to explain what made Caligula so mad. British MuseumLegend has it that Caligula loved his horse Incitatus so much he planned on anointing it to high office. All of this sounds like totally normal behavior for the most powerful person on Earth. He often bragged that he once carried a dagger into Emperor Tiberiuss bedroom with the intention of killing him, avenging his mother and brothers. He ordered the heads removed from statues of various gods all across Rome, and replaced them all with his own likeness. Well, he had a saying: You either had to be frugal, or be Caesar. Thankfully for him, he was the latter. Caligula (formally known as Gaius) was the third of Ancient Rome's emperors, who achieved feats of waste and carnage during his four-year reign (A.D. 37-41). About halfway through his reign, Caligula broke with the senate and started using every opportunity to humiliate them. But in 19 A.D., however, Germanicus fell ill and died. Caligula | Biography & Facts | Britannica According to historians, around 39 AD, he removed and replaced all of the Consuls without asking the Senates approval. Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody, hed remind people. He freed those his predecessor had unjustly imprisoned and eliminated a universally unpopular tax. Caligula always had the best clothes that money could buy. Both his wife and one-year old daughter were also murdered at the imperial palace. Enrico Verdesi, Rome, 1910/Photo by Print Collector/Getty ImagesThe ruins of the house of Caligula as photographed in 1910. Caligula (1979), Penthouse Films International, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Tragic Facts About Sophia Of Celle, The Prisoner Bride, Steadfast Facts About Queen Adelaide, The Tragic Consort, Gaudy Facts About Alva Vanderbilt, The Gilded Age Queen, Felicitous Facts About Philip V, The Melancholy King.