[115] According to Josephus, these actions led to several failed conspiracies against Caligula. WATCH: Full episodes of Colosseum online now. Gaius Caesar, now known to history as the third Roman emperor Caligula, was the son of the popular general and dynastic heir, Germanicus, and great grandson of Augustus through his mother. There are records of Herod Agrippa detailing his relationship with a young Caligula. He was born in the year 12 AD, shortly before the death of Augustus. [100], The Governor of Syria, Publius Petronius, fearing civil war if the order were carried out, delayed implementing it for nearly a year. Only two sources contemporary with Caligula have survived the works of Philo and Seneca. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Caligula's illness might have been a nervous breakdown, poi. Proculus : Divine Ceasar, PLEASE! When Drusilla died of fever despite Caligula praying to Isis, Caligula destroyed an Isis statue and went on a rampage. [101] Agrippa finally convinced Caligula to reverse the order. EPILEPSY Most historians agree that epilepsy is the most likely candidate for Caligula's illness. [69] Suetonius reports that other senators were degraded by being forced to wait on him and run beside his chariot. Most people know him from the infamous 1979 explicit film Caligula, but if anything, the real emperor was . [84] The validity of these accounts is debatable. In the centuries before the birth of Christ, the pre-eminent power of the northern shores of the Mediterranean was the Roman Republic. Welcome to r/AskHistorians. The Practice of Dowsing for Water, Oil and Astonish not Awe: Why did Marina Abramovis Artwork Belmez Faces: Mystery of the People in the Floor. The .gov means its official. Helen Mirren in a scene from . Fabius Rusticus was a friend of Seneca who was known for historical embellishment and misrepresentation. Can someone clear this up for me, google isn't satisfying. Caligula's death marked the official end of the Julii Caesares in the male line, though the Julio-Claudian dynasty continued to rule until the demise of his nephew, Nero. Ancient sources, like Suetonius and Cassius Dio, describe Caligula having a "brain fever". [34] He helped those who had been harmed by the imperial tax system, banished certain sexual deviants, and put on lavish spectacles for the public, including gladiatorial games. Reply . We have records from Herod Agrippa and others who knew him before and after and it seemed like he suffered some sort of brain damage from the fever. Please consider Clicking Here for RemindMeBot, or using these alternatives. [14] In 31, Caligula was remanded to the personal care of Tiberius on Capri, where he lived for six years. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. [82] Reportedly, he began referring to himself as a god when meeting with politicians and he was referred to as "Jupiter" on occasion in public documents. [154] Some modern historians think that Caligula had hyperthyroidism. He staged a number of chariot races, beast hunts, entertainments, and spectacles in order to amuse the inhabitants of the city. The reign began with good feelings all around, since Caligula declared an amnesty for all Romans imprisoned or exiled under Tiberius, posthumously restored honor to his mother and brothers, and stopped the treason trials, getting rid of the informers in the process. [74] The first known equestrian governor of the two provinces was Marcus Fadius Celer Flavianus, in office in 44. However Caligula had very little practical experience in terms of governing. His uncle Claudius was spared only because Caligula preferred to keep him as a laughing stock. [66] In 39, relations between Caligula and the Roman Senate deteriorated. [63] This act was in defiance of a prediction by Tiberius' soothsayer Thrasyllus of Mendes that Caligula had "no more chance of becoming emperor than of riding a horse across the Bay of Baiae". Dictys of Crete: Was There a War Reporter Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Battle of Culloden. Suetonius: The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; An English Translation, Augmented with the Biographies of Contemporary Statesmen, Orators, Poets, and Other Associates. Epilepsy Behav. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. The Roman Senate fell right in line, naming 24-year-old Caligula, who had no experience in government, diplomacy or war, as sole emperor of Rome. The Senate had become accustomed to ruling without an emperor between the departure of Tiberius for Capri in 26 and Caligula's accession. [54], Despite financial difficulties, Caligula embarked on a number of construction projects during his reign. [22] In 35, Caligula was named joint heir to Tiberius' estate along with Tiberius Gemellus. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Just wondering after they said he got something the history books described as brain fever (possible meningitis or poisoning? There were a number of freedmen in his close circle who attained considerable influence: Helicon, his chamberlain; Apelles, a tragic actor; and most wealthy and powerful of all, Callistus, a kind of imperial secretary. When Gaius was just two or three years old, he accompanied his father on his military campaigns in north Germania. [152][153] Based on scientific reconstructions of his official painted busts, Caligula had brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin. CALIGULA (Latin: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus; [1] 31 August 12 AD - 24 January 41 AD), also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. What does exist - primarily Suetonius, Seneca . (The Roman historian added that these trysts even occurred during banquets, as guests and Caligulas wife gathered around.) This trip to the English Channel could have merely been a training and scouting mission. [139], Caligula's sister, Agrippina the Younger, wrote an autobiography that certainly included a detailed explanation of Caligula's reign, but it too is lost. Caligulas edicts became more and more arbitrary and capricious in nature, and baffled his Senate. [146][147] Modern historians have theorized that Caligula lived with a daily fear of seizures. And here, an intriguing possibility arises: were the worst excesses of Caligula a fictitious smear campaign, put about to justify his death? The smaller ship was designed as a temple dedicated to Diana. These days, many historians reject the notion that Caligula terrorized Rome with his unbridled madness, talking to the moon, ordering arbitrary executions and trying to make his horse a consul. But assuming the much-maligned emperor was the loon his chroniclers describe, some scholars have suggested that an illness made him come unhingedpossibly temporal lobe epilepsy, hyperthyroidism or Wilsons disease, an inherited disorder that can cause mental instability. [84] The Temple of Castor and Pollux on the forum was linked directly to the imperial residence on the Palatine and dedicated to Caligula. [128] These wounded conspirators were treated by the physician Arcyon. [138] Cluvius Rufus was a senator involved in the assassination of Caligula. Suetonius wrote his history on Caligula 80 years after his death, while Cassius Dio wrote his history over 180 years after Caligula's death. According to Josephus, Chaerea had political motivations for the assassination. [8] After the death of his father, Caligula lived with his mother, Agripinna the Elder, until her relations with Tiberius deteriorated. March, 37 CE: At about 25 years old, Caligula was named Rome's third emperor, the first direct descendant of Augustus to take the throne (click here for a coin on which Caligula emphasizes this relationship). At the time of his accession, he was just 25 years old. 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. On the other hand, there are some historians who believed that after recovering from illness, Caligula had seen that everyone was prepared for his death. March, 37 CE: At about 25 years old, Caligula was named Rome's third emperor, the first direct descendant of Augustus to take the throne (click here for a coin on which Caligula emphasizes this relationship). [76] However, the rebellion of Tacfarinas had shown how exposed Africa Proconsularis was to its west and how the Mauretanian client kings were unable to provide protection to the province, and it is thus possible that Caligula's expansion was a prudent response to potential future threats.[74]. to 41 C.E. However, shortly after his installation as emperor, Caligula fell ill. Caligula also made a significant attempt at expanding into Britannia. Whether all the cruel acts of Caligula are completely or partially true is a question that remains unanswered. [30] Suetonius said that over 160,000 animals were sacrificed during three months of public rejoicing to usher in the new reign. Occasionally he was liable to faintness, during which he remained incapable of any effort". [97] Jews were accused of not honouring the emperor. Agrippa was rewarded with his territories. Poulter D, Votruba N, Bakolis I, Debell F, Das-Munshi J, Thornicroft G. BMJ Open. [141] Philo of Alexandria, Josephus and Seneca state that Caligula was insane, but describe this madness as a personality trait that came through experience. Caligula : I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the night. However, evidence of the emperors extravagant lifestyle has surfaced at Lake Nemi, where workers salvaged two massive pleasure bargescomplete with marble dcor, mosaic floors and statuesin the late 1920s and early 1930s. He amazed the soldiers as he dressed up in a miniature outfit of the soldiers and also wore armor and boots. 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. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. [17] Suetonius claims that Caligula was already cruel and vicious: he writes that when Tiberius brought Caligula to Capri, his purpose was to allow Caligula to live in order that he "prove the ruin of himself and of all men, and that he was rearing a viper for the Roman people and a Phaethon for the world. Although Gaius was named after Gaius Julius Caesar, he acquired the nickname "Caligula" ("little caliga", a type of military boot) from his father's soldiers during their campaign in Germania. Philadelphia. He soon recovered from his illness, but many believed that the illness turned the young emperor toward the diabolical: he started to kill off or exile those who were close to him or whom he saw as a serious threat. Although Tiberius was 77 and on his deathbed, some ancient historians still conjecture that he was murdered. According to Suetonius, Caligula in his infinite profligacy once constructed a temporary floating bridge across the Bay of Baiae just so he could ride triumphantly from one end to the other. The conflict eventually led to the destruction of her family, with Caligula as the sole male survivor. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help [67] He ordered a new set of investigations and trials. For the first six months he was a good ruler, but that all changed when he became ill with what was described at the time as a "brain fever." After his illness, Caligula became a vicious tyrant. Mental health of UK Members of Parliament in the House of Commons: a cross-sectional survey. [17] Seneca the Elder and Philo, who both wrote during Tiberius' reign, as well as Josephus, record Tiberius as dying a natural death. Modern historians have put forward numerous theories in an attempt to explain these actions. and Rome takes a devastating turn. [97] However, Caligula issued a second order to have his statue erected in the Temple of Jerusalem. However, apparently against the odds Caligula recovered from his illness. He executed close and loyal advisors and compelled Gemellus, his potential rival and fellow joint-heir, to commit suicide. [20][21] Caligula was briefly married to Junia Claudilla in 33, though she died in childbirth the following year. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The problem about power back then there no checks or balances. One of his insane acts was the idea of making a horse a Senator. Caligula: The Embodiment of Cruelty. [118] The situation had escalated when, in 40, Caligula announced to the Senate that he planned to leave Rome permanently and to move to Alexandria in Egypt, where he hoped to be worshipped as a living god. Translations in context of "brain fever" in English-French from Reverso Context: I fear it's another brain fever. Top Image: What caused Caligulas strange transformation? Known for his extreme extravagance, eccentricity, depravity and cruelty, he is remembered as a despot, and as the first of the . [57] In 39, Caligula performed a spectacular stunt by ordering a temporary floating bridge to be built using ships as pontoons, stretching for over two miles from the resort of Baiae to the neighbouring port of Puteoli. I cant imagine you will find a definite answer on this. This made him feel betrayed. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Archaeologists unearth place where Emperor Caligula met his end", "The True Colours Of Greek and Roman Statues By Archaeologist Vinzenz Brinkmann", "Caligula's tomb found after police arrest man trying to smuggle statue", "Roman Empire Caligula The Mad Emperor Netflix release date, cast, trailer, plot", The portrait of Caligula in the Digital Sculpture Project, Caligula Attempts to Conquer Britain in AD 40, Franz Lidz, "Caligula's Garden of Delights, Unearthed and Restored", New York Times, Jan. 12, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caligula&oldid=1133277788, Caligula is a character in the 2015 NBC series, A young Caligula appears as one of the characters in, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 00:36. [84][85], He would appear there on occasion and present himself as a god to the public. ), they went onto say he woke up after 3 months! [50], According to Suetonius, in the first year of Caligula's reign he squandered 2.7billion sesterces that Tiberius had amassed. Please leave feedback on this test message here. The two older brothers of Gaius were Nero and Drusus. [5] The soldiers nicknamed him Caligula ("little [soldier's] boot"). The bulk of what is known of Caligula comes from Suetonius and Cassius Dio. His gesture of lowering the taxes on sales of the slaves pleased the upper-class Romans as well as the Senate. [51] However, some historians have shown scepticism towards the large number of sesterces quoted by Suetonius and Dio.