Cassius Chaerea

Cassius Chaerea (fl. 1st Century AD) was a centurion in the army of Germanicus. After the death of Tiberius and the execution of Macro, Caligula made him Prefect (commander) of the Praetorian Guard.

Related Topics:
Cassius - 1st Century AD - Centurion - Germanicus - Tiberius - Macro - Caligula - Prefect - Praetorian Guard

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Disturbed by the increasingly-unbalanced emperor, and angered at Caligula's mocking of his voice and his supposed or real homosexuality, Chaerea plotted with several senators to assassinate Caligula, and on January 15, 41, they did just that, killing the emperor, his empress, and their infant daughter (It is reported that whenever Caligula had Charea kiss his ring, he presented his hand with outstretched middle finger, testifying to the long-standing popularity of "giving the finger").

Related Topics:
Homosexuality - January 15 - 41 - His empress - Their infant daughter - Middle finger - The finger

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Shortly afterwards, he was sentenced to death by the new emperor, Claudius and executed.

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Robert Graves, in I, Claudius, invented the story that he was among the few survivors of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.

Related Topics:
Robert Graves - I, Claudius - Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

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