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.

Early Life

Caligula was born as Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus on August 31, 12 AD, at the resort of Antium (modern Anzio), the third of six children born to Augustus?s adopted grandson, Germanicus, and Augustus?s granddaughter, Agrippina the Elder. Germanicus was son to Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia Minor, and older brother to Claudius. Agrippina was daughter to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia Caesaris. They had four other sons (Tiberius and Gaius Julius, who died young; Nero, Drusus), and three daughters (Julia Livilla, Drusilla and Agrippina the younger). See Julio-Claudian Family Tree.

Related Topics:
August 31 - 12 AD - Antium - Anzio - Augustus - Germanicus - Agrippina the Elder - Nero Claudius Drusus - Antonia Minor - Claudius - Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa - Julia Caesaris - Nero - Drusus - Julia Livilla - Drusilla - Agrippina the younger - Julio-Claudian Family Tree

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Gaius' life started out promisingly, as he was the son of extremely famous parents. Germanicus was a grandson to Tiberius Nero of the gens Claudia and Livia as well as an adoptive grandson of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus of the gens Julia. He was thus a prominent member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and was revered as the most beloved general of the Roman Empire. Agrippina was herself a granddaughter of Caesar Augustus and Scribonia. She was considered a model of the perfect Roman woman.

Related Topics:
Tiberius Nero - Gens Claudia - Livia - Roman Emperor - Caesar Augustus - Gens Julia - Julio-Claudian dynasty - Roman Empire - Scribonia

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As a baby of just two or three, he accompanied his parents on military campaigns in the north of Germania and became the mascot of his father's army. The soldiers were amused whenever Agrippina would put a miniature soldier costume on young Gaius, and he was soon given his nickname "Caligula" (or Caligulae), meaning "Little boots" in Latin, after the small boots he wore as part of his costume. He would end up hating this name, but he also hated the name "Gaius". ("Caligula" is formed from the Latin word caliga, meaning soldier's boot, and the diminutive infix -ul.)

Related Topics:
Germania - Latin - Diminutive - Infix

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Caligula?s childhood was not a happy one, spent amid an atmosphere of paranoia, suspicion, and murder. Instability within the Julio-Claudian dynasty, generated by uncertainty over the succession, led to a series of personal tragedies. When his father died under suspicious circumstances on October 10, 19 AD, relations between his mother and his grand-uncle, the reigning emperor Tiberius, deteriorated irretrievably, and the adolescent Caligula was sent to live first with his great-grandmother Livia in 27 AD and then, following Livia's death two years later, with his grandmother Antonia. Neither Livia nor Antonia had much time to watch Caligula, so the only comfort he had was with his three sisters. Stories of Caligula engaging in incest with his sisters (Agrippina the Younger, Drusilla, and Julia Livilla) began around this time. Suetonius in particular writes much about these acts.

Related Topics:
October 10 - 19 AD - Tiberius - Livia - 27 AD - Agrippina the Younger - Drusilla - Julia Livilla - Suetonius

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Caligula's life was in constant danger. Tiberius's Praetorian Prefect, Sejanus, was extremely powerful, doing everything he could to gain power over Tiberius. This wasn't too difficult, as Sejanus had control of Rome while Tiberius retired to the island of Capri. Treason trials were commonly practiced, as Tiberius in his old age was growing increasingly paranoid and began to rely increasingly upon his friend Sejanus, who once saved his life. These trials were the main lever Sejanus used to strengthen his position and dispose of any opposition.

Related Topics:
Praetorian Prefect - Sejanus - Capri

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From a very early age Caligula learned to tread very carefully. According to both Tacitus and Suetonius, he surpassed his brothers in intelligence, and was an excellent natural actor, realizing the danger when other members of his family could not. Caligula survived when most of the other potential candidates to the throne were destroyed. His mother Agrippina was banished to the tiny island of Pandataria, where she starved herself to death. His two oldest brothers, Nero and Drusus, also died. Nero was banished to the island of Ponza, while Drusus' body was found locked in a dungeon with stuffing from his mattress in his mouth to keep off the hunger pains.

Related Topics:
Tacitus - Pandataria - Ponza

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