Caligula

Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus (August 31, 12 – January 24, 41), most commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and third member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from AD 37 to 41. Caligula represents a turning point in the early history of the Principate. Known for his extremely extravagant, eccentric and sometimes cruel despotism, he was assassinated in AD 41 by several of his own guards.

Caligula and the Empire

Gaius's reign is too short, and the surviving ancient accounts too sensationalized, for any serious policies of his to be discerned. During his reign, Mauretania was annexed and reorganized into two provinces, Herod Agrippa was appointed to a kingdom in Judaea, and severe riots took place in Alexandria between Jews and Greeks. These events are largely overlooked in the sources, since they offer slim pickings for sensational stories of madness. Two other episodes, however, garner greater attention: Caligula's military activities on the northern frontier, and his vehement demand for divine honors. His military activities are portrayed as ludicrous, with Gauls dressed up as Germans at his triumph and Roman troops ordered to collect sea-shells as "spoils of the sea."

Related Topics:
Mauretania - Herod Agrippa - Judaea - Alexandria - Jews - Greek - Gaul

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Modern scholars have attempted to make sense of these events in various ways. The most reasonable suggestion is that Caligula went north to earn military glory and discovered there a nascent conspiracy under the commander of the Germania Superior legions, Gnaeus Lentulus Gaetulicus. Caligula's enthusiasm for divine honors for himself and his favorite sister, Drusilla (who died suddenly in 38 AD and was deified), is presented in the sources as another clear sign of his madness, but it may be no more than the young autocrat tactlessly pushing the limits of the imperial cult. Caligula's excess in this regard is best illustrated by his order that a statue of him be erected in the Temple at Jerusalem. Only the delaying tactics of the Syrian governor, Publius Petronius, and the intervention of Herod Agrippa prevented riots and a potential uprising in Judea.

Related Topics:
Germania Superior - 38 AD - Syria - Governor - Herod Agrippa

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