Caligula was born in Antium on 31 August AD 12, the third of six surviving children of Germanicus and his wife and second cousin, See more

Tiberius died, hated by his subjects, on 16 March AD 37, a day before the Liberalia festival. Suetonius and Tacitus repeat rumours that Caligula, possibly assisted by Macro, smothered … See more

Caligula shared many of the popular passions and enthusiasms of the lower classes and young aristocrats: public spectacles, particularly gladiator contests, chariot and horse racing, the theatre and gambling. He trained with professional gladiators and … See more

In the city of Rome, Caligula completed the temple of Augustus and the theatre of Pompey, began an amphitheatre beside the Saepta. He supervised the extension and rebuilding of the imperial palace, to include a gallery to display his art collection. Philo's … See more

Philo describes Caligula as the first emperor admired by "all the world, from the rising to the setting sun." Suetonius writes that Caligula … See more

Caligula was quite capable of recognising plans and decisions as flawed, including his own, or reversing them when faced with implacable opposition. In 38, very soon after his succession, he restored the right of the popular assembly (comitia) to elect magistrates … See more

In the course of 39, Caligula's increasingly tense relationship with his Senate deteriorated into outright hostility and confrontation. This is one of Dio's more confusing … See more