Caligula was born on 31 August 12 CE in Antium. A Roman emperor, Gaius Caesar Germanicus was nicknamed Caligula, meaning little boots, as a child among his father's soldiers. His father Germanicus was a popular general, and Caligula became emperor at 24 on the death of Tiberius. His early reign was welcomed, but ancient writers such as Suetonius and Cassius Dio describe him as increasingly cruel, extravagant and unstable, with stories such as the plan to make his horse a consul. Modern historians treat these accounts with caution, because the sources were hostile, but they agree that he alienated the senate. He was assassinated by officers of the Praetorian Guard, and his uncle Claudius took the throne.
Before and after
- from 8 CE to 73 CERise of Zealotry
- from 9 CE to 23 CEXin dynasty
- 17 November 9 CEBirth of Vespasian
- 10 CEBirth of Linus
- 31 August 12 CEBirth of Caligula
- 19 August 14 CEDeath of Augustus
- 17 CEDeath of Ovid
- c. 20 CEBirth of Mark the Evangelist
- c. 20 CEConstruction of the Roman Theatre of Orange
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- 2 September 31 BCEOctavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra at Actium
- August 70 CEThe Romans destroy the Temple in Jerusalem
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 1st century.