Image: Marble bust of Caligula, 37—41 C.E.
On this date in history, Roman Emperor Caligula was assassinated because of a conspiracy by officers of the Praetorian Guard, senators, and courtiers. Caligula was described as an insane emperor who was very self-absorbed, short-tempered, who was a capricious killer, and one who indulged in too much spending and sex. He was accused of sleeping with other men’s wives and bragging about openly in front of the husbands. He killed for mere amusement, deliberately wasted money on an abundance of foolish things, which caused starvation amongst his people, and he desired a statue of himself in the Temple of Jerusalem for his devotion. He was accused of throwing a whole section of spectators at a games event into the arena during the intermission to be eaten by the animals because there were no prisoners available, and he was bored. Overall, he was not a nice man.
Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus was born in 12 C.E. to the famous Roman general Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina, the Elder. During his childhood, his family lived at Germanicus’ posting on the Rhine, where the general’s troops gave the young boy the nickname “Caligula,” meaning “little boot,” in reference to the small uniform in which his parents dressed him.
Caligula was almost 25 years old when he became emperor in 37 C.E. Initially, he was well-liked in Rome. He had announced political reforms and had recalled all political exiles. But in October of 37 C.E., he suffered from a severe illness that totally affected and unhinged Caligula, leading him to spend the remaining four years of his reign exploring the worst attributes of his nature.
Caligula was especially harsh to the Senate, the nobility, and the equestrian order. According to historians at the time, these actions led to a series of failed conspiracies against the emperor. Eventually, officers within the Praetorian Guard, led by Cassius Chaerea, managed to assassinate Caligula. The plot was devised by three men but was known by many in the Senate, the army, and the equestrian order. The situation worsened in 40 C.E. when Caligula decided to leave Rome and move permanently to Alexandria, Egypt, where he hoped to be worshipped as a living god. Rome was aghast at the prospect of losing its emperor and political power. This was the final straw for many, and Chaerea convinced the other conspirators to move forward with their plans.
On this day, Chaerea and some other soldiers attacked Caligula during the latter’s address to an acting troupe beneath the palace. It is recorded that Chaerea stabbed the emperor first, followed by some of the conspirators. One historian records that the scene resembled the assassination of Julius Caesar. It was recorded that Caligula was stabbed 30 times. By the time the emperor’s loyal Germanic guard arrived, Caligula was already dead, but they managed to kill several of the conspirators, along with some innocent senators and bystanders. The assassins also sought out and killed Caligula’s wife, Caesonia, and their daughter, Julia Drusilla, by smashing her head against a wall. They could not find the emperor’s uncle, Claudius, who was hidden by several Praetorian Guards.
The Senate attempted to capitalize on Caligula’s death and restore the Republic. Unfortunately for them, the military supported the idea of an imperial monarchy, and thus Caligula’s uncle, Claudius, became the new emperor with the support of the Praetorian Guard. The Julio-Claudian dynasty would remain secure for another 17 years until Nero’s suicide in 68 C.E.
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