Download Caligula: Madness or Genius?

Caligula: Madness or Genius?
The Roman Empire was almost seventy years old and at the
age of 25, the third emperor of Rome had taken power. Caligula
was a direct descendent of Augustus, Rome’s first true emperor.
His first act as emperor was to declare forgiveness for all Roman
citizens who were imprisoned or exiled under his predecessor. He
stopped the treason trials and put an end to the tribulations that
were occurring at his ascension to the throne.
The same year he was crowned, 37 CE, Caligula became ill
with what many people at that time referred to as “brain fever.”
Even though he was able to recover from his illness, rumors would
forever follow Caligula that he was insane. Looking at some of his
actions, it becomes the responsibility of the reader, historian, and
researcher to determine whether Caligula’s actions were those of
a genius, or someone suffering from insanity.
A year after his illness, Caligula believed that his father-in-law was becoming too popular.
So, Caligula had his father-in-law arrested and eventually executed. A few months later, his
favorite sister died and Caligula immediately had her deified - declared a goddess. He had coins
minted with her profile stamped on them and angered others by referring to her as the “Mother
of Gods.”
During the year 39CE, Caligula had hundreds of ships tied together to make a bridge. He
used this bridge to ride across the Bay of Naples on his horse. Many rumors surfaced about the
young emperor’s sanity. He also wanted his own horse admitted as a Senator in the Roman
Parliament. Caligula ordered total silence in a neighborhood in order that his horse would not be
disturbed.
It was also the same year that Caligula joined his troops in Germany and found out that a
brother-in-law and an army commander were plotting to take Caligula’s life. In no time, Caligula
had the both conspirators executed and he banished both of his sisters since one of them was
romantically linked with one of the “traitors.” The campaign pushed through Germany and into
Britain. Not wanting to invade Britain, Caligula ordered his troops to go on maneuvers and collect
seashells from the beach. Only three years after becoming emperor, Caligula deified himself. He
then began to order the construction of temples to himself and demanded worship of his image.
Five years after being declared emperor Caligula was assassinated. The people responsible
for his death were members of his guard, the husband of one of his exiled sisters, and several
senators. At the same time, Caligula’s wife and daughter were also killed. The reasons given for
his murder ranged from humiliating the Roman army to ignoring the will of the Senate.
The final question that has to be answered is whether or not his actions were those of
someone who suffered from insanity. Caligula was showing his contempt for the Senate by
nominating his horse for Senator. He was showing off the might of the Roman navy by lashing
together hundreds of ships together to make a bridge.. Finally, having soldiers picking up seashells
in Britain could have been an interpretation of either contempt of the army or a demonstration of
power. Regardless, of whether or not insanity, genius, or both guided Caligula, he was a major
part of the development of Rome.
®SAISD Social Studies Department
Page 1
Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.