Caligula - the Mad Emperor

Caligula, also known as Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, was the third Roman emperor who ruled from 37 A.D. to his unfortunate assassination in 41 A.D. He was born in AD 12 to Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder.

Caligula is famous for his many antics - both on the throne and off. He was known for his love for the finer things in life - which included throwing lavish parties while wearing his signature sandals with blades attached to the soles (hence the name Caligula, meaning “little boots” in Latin).

Caligula was never one to shy away from controversy or extreme behavior. He even tried to appoint his favorite horse, Incitatus, to the Roman Senate. Some say this was a joke, some say he was serious - the world may never know.

His reputation for eccentricity and cruelty spread far and wide. He was said to have ordered the execution of entire families for the tiniest of offenses. He also enjoyed testing the loyalty of his followers by forcing them to commit terrible acts.

Despite all of this, Caligula remains a beloved figure of Roman history. Perhaps it’s because he was truly the first emperor to embrace the “work hard, party harder” lifestyle. Or maybe it’s because he was so utterly unpredictable that he kept people on their toes.

Regardless of his strange behavior, there’s no denying that Caligula is one of Rome’s most fascinating figures. Maybe it’s because we can find a bit of ourselves in his strange and wildly inappropriate decisions. Who among us hasn’t wanted to appoint our pet to a high-ranking political position?

So raise a glass to Caligula, the mad emperor, may his legacy live on in history forever.