Transcript Gaius (Caligula) - CLIO History Journal

Gaius (Caligula)
Born 12 CE-41 CE
Caligula means ‘little soldiers boots’ in
Latin.
He got this name because when he was a
child his father took him to his legions
camps in Germany, where he was outfitted
with a miniature soldiers outfit.
Gaius was tall, pale, with a
poorly built and hairy
body, spindly legs and an
almost totally bald head,
which upset him greatly;
he was both mentally and
physically sick, suffering
from epilepsy and
insomnia. (Suetonius,
Gaius p50)
How He Became emperor:
Support
• Caligula was declared emperor by Macro the
commander of the imperial guard and
successor to Sejanus and was Caligula’s
mentor and ally.
• According to Suetonius “Gaius’ ascension
seemed like a dream come true” (Suetonius,
Gaius)
– This is because he was a blood relative of Caesar
and his father, Germanicus, was well liked.
How He Became emperor:
Opposition
• Caligula had his enemies, however, and
Tiberius declared that “He [Gaius] has Sulla’s
vices without his virtues” (Tacitus, Annals)
– He thought Caligula would be a tyrannical leader,
without any positives coming from his rule.
How He Maintained Power
• Removed possible conspirators from positions
of power.
– Such as in the area of the Rhine. He was
concerned that one of the commanders, Aemilius
Lepidus, was conspiring against him, with Gaius’
two sisters.
How He Maintained Power
• He awarded his friends client states (an area
that was conquered but not absorb into the
Roman Empire).
– When Caligula removed Aemilius Lepidus from
command over the Rhine, he was replaced with
Sulpicius Galba
Characteristics
• Ancient texts lead modern historians to
believe that Caligula had some form of either
mental or physical illness, which has led him
to be called deranged or mad. (Extracts from
Fagan, G, and Murgatroyd, P, 2006, From
Augustus to Nero)
• In 37 CD Caligula suffered a serious illness
which changed his personality, making him
more aggressive.
Impact on Roman Life
• He was reported to be a tyrant, which led to
his rule being very oppressing to the Roman
people.
• He started construction on two new
aqueducts in Rome, the Aqua Claudia and the
Anio Novus.
• He banished all male prostitutes from the city.
The Aqua Claudia, which Caligula started construction of.
It was finished by Emperor Claudius in 52 CE
Nature of His Decline
• He was openly assassinated by the Praetorian
Guard at age 29 on the 24th January 41 CE. (By
a tribune of the Praetorian Guard, Cassius
Chaerea)
• He was the first emperor to be openly
assassinated.
• The assassins acted upon personally motives,
and did not have anyone in mind to replace
Caligula as emperor.