Was Emperor Caligula Really A Psychopath? | Ancient Rome with Mary Beard | Timeline

The script opens with the dramatic assassination of Emperor Caligula on January 22, 41 A.D. Described as a tyrant whose rule was marked by horror and excess, Caligula's violent death at the hands of his own soldiers is detailed, highlighting the brutality of his reign and the rumors that surrounded his character. The paragraph sets the stage for an exploration of the historical Caligula, questioning the veracity of the myths that have grown around his persona and promising a detective-style hunt for clues to uncover the truth about this controversial figure in Roman history.

This paragraph delves into Caligula's royal lineage, tracing his connections to Rome's first emperor, Augustus, and his upbringing as a military brat, moving between army camps with his parents. His father, Germanicus, was a charismatic military commander, and his mother, Agrippina, was a granddaughter of Augustus. The narrative focuses on Caligula's childhood experiences, suggesting they may have shaped his future rule. It also touches on the significance of his name, originally a nickname meaning 'little boots,' which he later despised, and its implications for his legacy.

The script describes Caligula's period on the island of Capri under the rule of Emperor Tiberius, where he may have been groomed for power or held under surveillance. It discusses the theories about Caligula's time there, including the possibility that Tiberius taught him the dark arts of tyranny. The paragraph also covers the brutal treatment of Caligula's family, with his mother Agrippina being abused and his brothers meeting violent ends, painting a picture of the harsh and dangerous environment that Caligula navigated during his formative years.

This section examines the precarious nature of succession in the Roman Empire, which lacked a clear line of inheritance and led to power struggles and instability. It details how Caligula became emperor following the death of Tiberius, despite rumors of foul play. The paragraph also discusses the importance of securing the support of the army in securing the emperor's position, as evidenced by the coins minted under Caligula's rule that featured imagery of him addressing troops and the praetorian guard.

The script highlights Caligula's efforts to solidify his power through grand building projects and the minting of coins that bore his image and reinforced his royal lineage. It mentions the construction of aqueducts, the transportation of an obelisk from Egypt, and the remodeling of the imperial residence on the Palatine Hill. The paragraph underscores how these actions served to brand Caligula's image and establish his authority in the absence of modern media.

This paragraph explores how Caligula utilized art and architecture to project his imperial image, from the iconic monuments he initiated to the mass production of cameos and portrait busts. It discusses the significance of the replaceable heads of statues as a symbol of the emperor's interchangeable presence and the role of art in creating an illusion of reality, which contributed to the unsettling atmosphere of the imperial court.

The script delves into the tales of Caligula's extravagance and the theatrical displays of his power, such as his alleged use of pearls for slippers and the embedding of precious stones in his palace walls. It also touches on the unsettling nature of the imperial court, where reality and illusion were blurred, and the emperor's penchant for using choreographed threats to maintain control and inculcate fear.

This section discusses the conspiracies against Caligula, involving both his extended family and those who opposed the dynastic autocracy of Rome. It mentions the execution of his brother-in-law and the exile of his sisters, painting a picture of Caligula as a ruler increasingly paranoid about his security. The paragraph also explores the stories of Caligula's alleged madness and excess, suggesting that these tales may have been exaggerated or fabricated to justify his assassination.

The script describes the discovery of Caligula's opulent boats at Lake Nemi, which have become symbols of his extravagance. It speculates on the purpose of these boats, whether they were for religious rituals or purely for pleasure, and discusses the myths and realities of Caligula's actions, including the revival of a primitive religious rite involving a priest-king who could only maintain his position by killing his predecessor.

The final paragraphs recount the assassination of Caligula by members of his own praetorian guard, led by Cassius Chaerea, and the immediate aftermath, where the new regime under Claudius sought to erase Caligula's memory by defacing his statues and coins and taking over his building projects. The narrative reflects on the difficulty of separating the historical Caligula from the myths that have been woven around him, and the enduring questions his story raises about power, cruelty, and the nature of tyranny.