Caligula Final Essay

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Bianca Valenzuela
Ms. Cooper, Mr. Beaudine
English
11/4/14
Caligula
Gaius Caesar Germanics, also known as Caligula, was an emperor who ruled from 37 AD to his assassination in 41 AD. (Gaius Caesar) Caligula earned his nickname “little boot” when he was just a child. (Gaius Caesar) Caligula was known for being an emperor whose impulsive moves affected anyone near him. (‘Caligula’) Caligula was a paranoid man who believed that everyone was out to get him. In 37 AD Caligula fell ill. After his illness, it is said that Caligula was never the same emperor. Caligula was known for spending all the empires money on wasteful architectural projects, making poor political decisions, and inflicted fear in people. (Caligula PBS) Politically, Caligula was known for making bad choices when it came to deciding for the empire. Caligula would kill men who he thought were potential threats. According to Key, He killed the only men who appeared to be on his side when it came to his political decisions. (Key) This meant he was no longer left with political alliances. Caligula was known for killing his allies. (‘Caligula’ Gaius) He would kill political leaders because he saw them as a threat to his empire, and would often think that they were out to kill him. (‘Caligula’ Gaius) According to Roman-Empire.net Caligula put his principal supporter Macro to death. After Tiberius died, Macro knew that Caligula had potential to be emperor he immediately sided with him. Macro is said to have played a major role on getting Caligula to be emperor. It is shown in records that Macro actually ordered Tiberius to be killed because he wanted Caligula to be emperor. (Gaius) On the other hand Caligula felt that Macro was too close to him. If someone were this close to him this would make him or her a treat. Key explains to us that Caligula realized that he needed to put Macro to death in order for him to feel peace. He then ordered Macro to commit suicide. (Key) Caligula also ordered for Gemellus to be killed. (History) Gemellus was Tiberius’s grandson. He, along with Caligula, was also in line for the throne. Macro wanted the senate to choose Caligula because he thought he would be a much better emperor for the empire. (Caligula UXL) Caligula had Gemellus killed because he didn’t want to have to share leadership with someone else. He wanted to be able to make decisions about his empire by himself. (History) Marcus Junius Silanus was the father of Caligula’s first wife. Marcus was order to commit suicide because of the same reasons he killed all of his other allies, because he was paranoid. (Caligula Encyclopedia) Other than the fact that Caligula killed most of the men who supported his political decisions, he also had bad relations with the Senate. In 39 AD is when the feud between the senate and Caligula began. (Caligula Encyclopedia) We don’t know exactly why the feud was started but there are several things that can be explanations for it. Before Caligula came to rule the senate was accustomed to ruling without an emperor. (Wasson) Another reason could be the treason trials. The treason trials were used for people who were found betraying their Empire. The treason trials caused feud because Caligula though that some people in the senate weren’t trust worthy, because of this he ordered new investigations and trials. (History) Caligula was also said to have replaced the consul and put senators to death. Sometimes instead of putting the senators to death Caligula would make them run beside his chariot for miles. (Gaius) Caligula was then told about several conspiracies that people were out to kill him and get rid of him as emperor. (History) He was told that the governor of Germany was part of these conspiracies and he had them killed. One thing Caligula did that enraged the upper class was that he was having elections of public officials again. (Caligula PBS) The lower class/peasants were pleased with this. After this Caligula was questioned for
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