CALl'GULA, CAIUS CiESAR, the fourth of the Roman emperors, eon of Germanicus and Agrippina, was born A.D. 12 in a Roman camp, in what place is not agreed, though Surtonius would seem to show that be was born at Actium. He was brought up among the soldiers, and is beet known by a nickname said to have been given him by those associates. The word 'caliphs ' is derived from caliga,' a kind of ohm which was worn by the common soldiers, and which he frequently wore himself in order to gain their affections. (Tacit., 'Ann.,' i. 41, 69.) The training and education which would have been suited to hie rank appear to have been neglected. Caligula early devoted himself to observing the feelings and courting the favour of Tiberius, and by artful and unremitting attentions he so far succeeded in ingratiating himself with the emperor that he was soon promoted to responsible offices of state. The uncertainty of succession which followed the death of Tiberius, who was put to death probably by one of Caligula's favourites (Tacit., 'Ann.,' vi. 50), together with the general popularity which Caligula himself enjoyed, afforded him a favourable opportunity of succeeding to the sovereign power (ma 37). His government began well, and with symptoms of great clemency; he set at liberty all the state-prisoners, discouraged informers, and promised the senate that be would act with the utmost moderation : he augmented the powers of the magistrates, and at least apparently curtailed his own. Soon afterwards he assumed the consulship, and chose for his colleague his uncle Claudius. During his consulship Caligula gave many instances of mildness and generosity ; among other things he restored the kingdom of Commageue, which Tiberius had reduced to a Roman province, to Autiochus, son of the former king. After about eight months he fell ill, and the utmost anxiety was shown in inquiring for his health. His recovery was hailed with joy. His conduct however was soon changed. Caligula became addicted to intemperance, volup tuousness, and cruelty, and his extravagance knew no bounds. He took upon himself the highest titles of honour, and even had temples erected and sacrifices offered to him as a god. It seems probable that his grandmother Antonia died by his orders. According to Dion
Cassius, be frequently visited the prisons in person, and ordered all the captives, untried, guilty, or not, to be thrown to wild beasts. Sometimes be would order a number of the spectators to be seized and thrown among them, after having had their tongues cut out, that their cries might not interrupt his ferocious delight. Old age and weakness rather attracted than averted his cruelty. Ho even put to death Macro, who had beeu the means of his elevation, and his wife with him. Ills lust was as excessive as his cruelty. A favourite horse, lucitatus, ho fed with gilt oats and delicious wines • he appointed him a great number of attendants, and treated him with the most absurd attentions. He erected a bridge over the sea from Baize to Puteoli, on which he rode along, enjoying tho eight of numbers of persons drowning under his order. Ho made great preparations for a war against the Germane, and crossed tho Rhine with a large army, hut returned without having seen a mingle enemy. Ire invaded and plundered Gaul, banished his sisters Agrippina and Livia, pretended that he was going to invade Britain, but returned after he bad got a few miles out to sea, and then on his arriving in Rome contented himself with an ovation. It is said that Caligula had a design to destroy the work. of Homer, Virgil, and Lill'.
After a reign of three years, ten months, and eight days, and in the twenty-ninth year of his age, Caligula was murdered by a band of conspirators, headed by Cassius Chmrea, a tribune, A.D. 41. (Sneton. in via., c. 69.) The character of this emperor is pretty accurately given by Seneca (6 De '), when he says that nature seems to have intended to show in the instance of Caligula how much harm can be done by the greatest vices leagued with the greatest power. Perhaps the true explanation of his proceedings is that he was insane. Caligula had several wives, but he left no children behind him. The medal which is here given contains on the reverse the names of his three sisters— Agrippina (afterwards the wife of her uncle the Emperor Claudius), Drusilla, and Julia, who is called Livia or Livilla by Suetonius. (Dion Cassius, pp. 694, 717-763, H. Stephens, 1592.)