Through out Emperor Caligula reign he exhibits some truly insane acts, one aspect we can see his insanity is in the treatment of his family. Gaius’ brother Tiberius is recorded as being of no threat to the Emperor, however Caligula is far from being of a rational thinking, Suetonius states, “His brother Tiberius who had no expectation of any violence, was suddenly dispatched by a military tribune sent by his order for that purpose. (262) The purpose of the above mentioned was a mission of deat

“that he supped and lodged for some time constantly in the stable where their horses were kept. . . for this favorite animal, besides a marble stable, an ivory manger, purple housings, and a jeweled frontlet, he appointed a house, with retinue slaves...It is even said that he intended to make him consul.” (289)

Caligula’s mental illness is evident in everything he does, “From time to time he had half-starved wild beasts brought into the arena to be fought not by gladiators but by the decrepit old graybeards.” (Lissner 95) Caligula’s is recorded as saying “Strike him so he feels he is dying.” No rational man would have the cruelty to command half of these terrible atrocious acts. Emperor Gauis was truly a crazy man.

Through out Caligula rein he wanted above all to be remembered, Suetonius states that he would often wish for “some terrible slaughter of his troops, a famine, a pestilence, conflagration, or an earthquake” (270) to occur so that his name would be remembered. And he is remembered as because of the madness, cruelty, and his violent actions against mankind, which are connected to it. He will go down in history books, not gloriously with great titles or accomplishments but rather as Suetonius sums up this Caligula “He was crazy both in body and mind.” (284)

“At Rome, in a public feast, a slave having stolen something plates of silver with which the couches were inlaid, he delivered him immediately to the executioner with orders to cut off his hands, and lead them round the guests, with them hanging from his neck before his breast, and a label signifying the cause of his punishment.” (Suetonius 271)

Some topics in this essay:
Emperor Gauis, Drusilla” Suetonius, Cruelty Caligula’s, Emperor Caligula, Roman Society, Tiberius Gemellus, Gaius Caligula, Caesar Domitian, Ancient Rome, , suetonius 263, bizarre acts, caligula continues, suetonius 271 caligula’s, wild beasts, caligula reign, mental illness, horse consul, insane acts, acts insanity, emperor caligula,