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He enjoyed watching executions and indulged in scandalous behavior at night, Caligula was cold-blooded from the start. Icas94/De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images. Immediately following his death, the Roman senate set about destroying Caligulas statues in the hope that he could be forgotten from history. After marrying Germanicus, she defied tradition by accompanying him on his military campaigns in Germania, reportedly acting as an adviser and diplomat. Caligula was Rome's most tyrannical emperor. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Caligula was born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus on August 31, 12 AD, in Antium, Italia, to Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. Tiberius will named Caligula co-heir with his younger cousin Tiberius Gemellus, but the Senate rejected these provisions and gave complete imperial power to Caligula, who instead made Gemellus his heir. Believing He Had Extraordinary Powers, He Declared Himself An Immortal God, 11. While living as Tiberiuss guest, Caligula befriended Naevius Sutorius Macro, the head of the powerful Praetorian guard. He purged anyone who appeared loyal to the prior emperor, including his own wife. What is Caligula most known for? It was believed that Caligula the son of Germanicus, a military man beloved by the Romans would likely display the same honorable traits and behaviors as his father. For most of his youth, Caligulas great-grandmother Livia shielded him from politicsbut a sudden tragedy changed all of that. . Tiberius fell ill in March of 37 A.D. and died a mere month later. Remember Macro, the Praetorian Guard who helped make Caligula emperor? Caligula built two lavish barges to be situated on lake Nemi. So when Caligula took the throne, the Romans rejoiced. He often bragged that he once carried a dagger into Emperor Tiberiuss bedroom with the intention of killing him, avenging his mother and brothers. After his accession Caligula quickly squandered the vast sums Tiberius had accumulated in the state treasury. He particularly enjoyed silks and ornately decorated items, but he also had some unusual tastes. Soon after Ptolemy arrived in Rome, Caligula executed him without a trial and annexed Mauretania. He also had his father-in-law and brother-in-law executed, and his two living sisters exiled. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. In 41 A.D., he was attacked by a cabal of Praetorian Guards following a sporting event, before he was brutally stabbed over 30 times. Caligula is famous for being the first Roman emperor to be assassinated. Martin proud, they allegedly killed Caligulas child, Julia Drusilla, by dashing her head against a wall. Then, learn about the incredible true story of Charles Van Doren and the Quiz Show scandals. Earning the nickname Caligula - 'Little Boots' - in childhood, he would be immortalised as one of Rome's cruellest and most erratic leaders, even though he was only emperor for four years. Enrico Verdesi, Rome, 1910/Photo by Print Collector/Getty ImagesThe ruins of the house of Caligula as photographed in 1910. Julius Caesar was his great-great-grandfather, Augustus was his grandfather, and his father Germanicus was one of Romes most effective and popular generals. Although his excessive architectural ambitions ran Rome into debt, he successfully oversaw the completion of important Roman buildings. One reason for this might be that he was afraid he would have a seizure and drown while in the water. Caligulas grandmother Antonia managed to shield him from these intrigues until Sejunus death in 31. Which Roman Emperor Is Said To Have Made His Horse Into A Consul? Caligula "Little Boots" Known as "Caligula" ('Little Boots'), Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born August 31, CE 12, died 41 CE, and ruled as emperor 37-41 CE. When it seemed as though Caligula might die of illness, Macro made some political maneuvers to try and save his own career. Upon taking power, Claudius . Accounts of Caligulas reign by ancient historians are so biased against him that the truth is almost impossible to disentangle. It was an open secret throughout Rome that she intended to be the mother of emperorsbut she crossed the wrong man, and she would never live to see her dream come true. He grew up with a massive chip on his shoulderand it only got worse as he got older. To further the epilepsy diagnosis, multiple sources confirmed that Caligula could not swim, despite the fact that swimming lessons would absolutely have been a part of his education. Maybe he felt like he couldnt live up to his name, or maybe he just hated attention being drawn away from him, but Caligula deeply resented his famous ancestors. Thus, Cassius Dio notes, Caligula learned by actual experience that he was not a god.. They rallied around Claudius and declared him the new emperor.