1) Gaius Caligula became emperor in 37 CE as the last living son of Germanicus and the direct descendant of Augustus. 2) As emperor, Gaius focused on his hereditary claim to rule but lacked political experience and offices held by previous emperors. 3) Gaius' increasingly erratic and violent behavior, costly spending that drained treasury funds, military failures, and plots against him led to his assassination in 41 CE by members of his Praetorian Guard.

1. Gaius
C a l i g u l a , S o n o f
G e r m a n i c u s , M a d m a n ?
Saturday, March 2, 13

2. Gaius ‘Caligula’
Tiberius, dead in 37 CE
Gaius, last living son of
Agrippina and
Germanicus
7 years on Capri
elevated to the throne
with few complications
he was just about 25
Saturday, March 2, 13

3. The Hereditary
Principle
Gaius is head of the
state
Tiberius’ will
Germanicus’ name
blood tie to Augustus
through his mother
Saturday, March 2, 13

4. Only One Heir
Tiberius Gemellus, also
Tiberius’ grandson
dead within a year of
Gaius’ accession to the
throne
Saturday, March 2, 13

5. Loyalty of the
Legions
Germanicus’ soldiers
Gaius is popular
Gaius is unknown
never commanded
troops
Saturday, March 2, 13

6. Gaius’ Offices
pontifex in 31 CE (not No other offices
to be confused with
pontifex maximus) Never a consul, no
tribunicia potestas
quaestor in 33 CE
a real monarchy
now...blood was chief
Saturday, March 2, 13

7. Spend the Money
Gaius spent liberally many games, chariot
races, gladiatorial
new buildings, repaired combats
buildings
gifts to the army
gifts to the people
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8. Familia Caesaris
Gaius was a direct
descendant of Julius
Caesar
legitimacy in the purity
of his heritage
he had no offices to rely
upon, so he chose to
focus on his ‘genetic’
legacy
Saturday, March 2, 13

9. Games as Site of
Popular Expression
“I wish they had only one neck.”
Suetonius, Gaius 30
Saturday, March 2, 13

10. From Princeps to
Monstrum
Suetonian account has Gaius go mad...
We lack Tacitus’ survey, and the pieces
preserved in Cassius Dio are considerably
limited.
Gaius, convinced of personal divinity
Gaius demanded worship
Saturday, March 2, 13

11. Caligula and his
Sisters
Saturday, March 2, 13

12. Removing an Emperor
is Difficult?
Loyalty of the legions did much to protect the
imperial monarch.
Gaius at war.
successful Rhine assault in CE 39
less successful attempt on Britain
“seashells” (see Suet. Gaius 46)
Saturday, March 2, 13

13. Money doesn’t grow
on Roman trees
Gaius’ spending a problem.
Coffers left full by Tiberius diminished.
Lack of money - severe difficulties in paying,
maintaining soldiers, war effort
Saturday, March 2, 13

14. Mauretania, 40 CE
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15. Conspiracy
CE 39 conspiracy revealed
before it could act
Lentulus Gaetulicus
conspirators executed
commander of Upper
Germany
replace Gaius with
Marcus Lepidus,
husband of Drusilla
Saturday, March 2, 13

16. Death
CE 41 small group of assassins
Cassius Chaerea, junior NOT legionary forces
officer of the Praetorian
Guard NOT familial intrigue
insulted by Gaius killed Gaius as he left
the games
decides to take matters
into his own hands
Saturday, March 2, 13

17. Stability
Rome has NO Eyes turned to the
monarch. members of the Julio-
Claudian family that
Gaius left no heirs. remained.
He had barely begun The Praetorians, in
his reign, let alone had particular, afraid of
the opportunity to losing their vaunted
choose potential position, decided to
successors. enact their own choice:
Claudius, brother of
Germanicus, uncle of
Gaius.
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18. Saturday, March 2, 13