Caligula: A Victim of His Childhood

Caligula, or Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, is seen as one of the most unpredictable and cruel emperors in history. While he is well known, he is arguably the least understood. The information about Gaius has been... [ view full abstract ]

Caligula, or Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, is seen as one of the most unpredictable and cruel emperors in history. While he is well known, he is arguably the least understood. The information about Gaius has been unfairly shaped by both ancient and modern sources. The senate, the group who wrote the ancient texts, twisted facts to reflect their opinion. Modern sources take these texts at face value, and attempt to explain his actions with medical diagnoses. Through critically analyzing ancient texts, I will attempt to separate historical bias from fact, and show how Caligula’s actions as Emperor were sane and conscious decisions of a man deeply shaped by his experiences as a child. While young, Caligula witnessed the complex political system which grew out of Augustus, the first emperor. I will highlight how within this system, the imperial family and princeps (emperor) were faced with constant threat from the senate and other nobles. I will describe how Caligula sought support from the army and the people in an attempt to isolate the senate. This struggle between emperor and senate explains his actions, such as his triumph at Baiae, making his horse a consul, and the laws of maiestas (treason).