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PEOPLE AND PERSONALITIES OF ROME

Caligula

Key information:

Official Name: GAIUS CAESAR AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS

Birthdate: August 31, 12 CE

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 8)

Birthplace: Antium, Italy

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 8)

Reign: Named emperor in the will of his predecessor, Tiberius, who died on March 16, 37 CE.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 59.1)

Marriages:

Junia Claudilla (33 CE-?)

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 11)

Livia Orestilla (a few days in 37 or 38 CE)

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 25)

Lollia Paulina (38 CE)

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 25)

Milonia Caesonia (39/40-41 CE)

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 25)

Children:

Julia Drusilla (daughter by Milonia Caesonia)

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 25)

Death:

Assassinated by the commander of the praetorian guard (Cassius Chaerea) and several Roman senators on January 24, 41 CE in the cryptoporticus underneath the Palatine Hill.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 59.29)

Small bust of Caligula, Palazzo Masimo, November 2019
Cameo with Caligula and Roma, Vienna Art History Museum, October 18th 2019.
Head of Caligula with modern polychromy, Copenhagen Glyptotek, Rome, September 18th 2018.

Famous facts and dates

37
In October Caligula fell ill and his entire demeanour changed after he recovered.

(Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 13-14)

39
Caligula rides his horse, Incitatus, across a floating bridge at Baiae. He apparently later threatened to make Incitatus a consul.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 59.14 & 59.17)

40
Caligula considered himself to be a living god, and he referred to himself as Jupiter.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 59.26)

40
Caligula ordered Roman soldiers to collect seashells after "battling" the sea.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 59.25)

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Cite this page as: Darius Arya, The American Institute for Roman Culture, “Caligula” Ancient Rome Live. Last modified 04/08/2021. https://ancientromelive.org/caligula/

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