CALIGULA
1400 Days of Terror
PROGRAMME LENGTH
2 hours
SCREENING DETAILS
Monday 2nd Sept at 9.30am EST/ NZ
This extended program is a detailed modern version of the stories that have come from
the ancient sources about the reign of the “notorious” “mad” Emperor Caius.
We are provided with a very detailed overview of Caligula’s reign with comment on
and discussion of his actions and character. There is some attempt to balance the
obvious negative perspectives of the ancient sources with some common sense
analysis of the traditional version of his life and reign.
This would be an ideal introduction to a study of Caligula. It would also be a good
starting point for an examination of the historiography of the Julio-Claudians.
Denis Mootz
PREVIEW: Viewer discretion is advised: PREVIEW
STAYING FOCUSED.
This is the data collection stage of the activity.
The detailed questioning is designed to ensure that students decode the visual and aural materials
presented to them in the video.
The video programs can be stopped at the end of each section. This will allow students to share and
discuss answers.
Introduction.
Note the terms in which Caligula is described.
What is the source of these judgements?
Act 1.
Note the context into which Caligula was born.
Note details of the Roman Empire at the time. Implications?
How old was Caligula when he became Emperor?
Note the comments on his madness.
What incidents does Adrian Murdoch cite? Implications?
Note the incident cited by Amanda Ruggeri. Result?
Note the comments from Geoff Adams. Implications?
Note the comments from Darius Arya. Implications?
Note the means by which the truth is to be found.
Rome’s Great Hope.
How was Caligula received on his accession to the throne? Why?
Note his actions on arrival in Rome.
Note details of the Senate.
Why had things changed 68 years before? Result?
Why wasn’t Tiberius popular at the end of his reign? Implications? Result?
Note Caligula’s connection to Augustus.
Why had the Senate just been through a “terrible time”? Result? Implications?
Note Caligula’s upbringing and family background. Result?
Note details of the death of Caligula’s father’s death. Implications?
Note the persecution of Caligula’s family. Result?
Why did Tiberius “spare” Caligula? Implications?
The Training of an Emperor.
Note details of Tiberius’s new Imperial court on Capri. Implications? Result?
Why does Tiberius take Caligula “under his wing”?
Note the description of the “world on Capri”. Implications? Result?
What “part” does everyone remember?
What else must be remembered about Caligula’s time on Capri?
What does Caligula pretend?
Caligula Seizes Power
What does Caligula know about the Praetorian Guard? Result?
Note the role of Macro.
What was Caligula’s plan at this stage? Result? Implications?
How did Caligula “succeed” Tiberius? Result?
Note Macro’s role. Implications?
How does Caligula “wow” the Senate? Result?
What were the “hopes” for the new reign?
How was he prepared for his role as ruler of the Roman Empire? Implications?
Why was Rome rich at this time? Implications?
How did Caligula use this wealth?
The Power of Money
How does Caligula win over the Praetorian Guard? Result?
How does Caligula win over the people? Result?
Note details of the Basilica Julia.
Note Caligula’s distribution of coins to the people.
How does Caligula win over the Senate?
Note the treason trials under Tiberius. Result? Implications?
Note Caligula’s actions in regard to the treason trials. Result? Implications?
Note details of Tiberius Gemellus. Result? Implications?
Why did the Senate vote Caligula Pater Patriae? Result?
What happened at this stage? Result?
Note Macro’s actions? Implications? Result?
Don’t Mess with Caligula
What does Caligula realise about Gemellus? Result?
Note how Gemellus died. Result? Implications?
Note how Caligula deals with Macro. Result?
Note how Caligula dealt with “folks” who “made statements”. Implications?
What “appetite” was driving Caligula?
What limitations were there on Caligula’s actions?
Note the summary of the first six months of his reign. Implications?
Sex and Excess
How did Caligula secure his position? Result?
In what sense did Caligula take banqueting to a “whole new level”? Implications?
In what sense was he an “addict”?
Note the psychological explanation for why it was difficult for Caligula not to be extreme?
Note Caligula’s relationship with his sister Drusilla. Implications?
Note Henry Hurst’s comment. Implications?
Note the other “notion” that Caligula may have had in mind. Implications?
Blood Sport
What did Caligula appear to love more than sex? Result?
Note the usual gladiator contest.
How did Caligula change the ‘rules’ for gladiator contests? Result?
What other entertainment did Caligula provide? Implications? Result?
Who were the people usually killed or eaten in the arena?
Note Caligula’s love of the theatre. Implications? Result?
Note Caligula’s love of ‘horse’ racing. Result? Implications?
Note details of the Circus Maximus.
Note details of Caligula’s circus.
Note how Caligula’s efforts to build and decorate his circus are described.
Why was Caligula popular with the people?
Why is the Senate not happy with Caligula?
Note the death of Drusilla. Result?
Caligula V the Senate
How had Caligula horrified the Senate?
How was Caligula’s idea of ‘ruling’ different? Result?
Note the accusations that Caligula made against the Senate. Implications? Result?
How did the Senate respond? Implications? Result?
Note the discussion of Caligula’s “sense of humour” and its effect on Senators. Examples?
Note the story of Incitatus. Implications?
Who recorded these stories about Caligula? Implications?
Note the comparison between Caligula and a pharaoh. Implications?
An Heir Is Born
Who did Caligula marry? Result? Implications?
Why did Lepidus and others conspire against Caligula?
Who else could conspire against him? Implications? Result?
Conspiracies Everywhere
How did he “stay on the good side” of the people?
Why did he humiliate the Senate? Result?
Why did Caligula arrest the consuls? Result? Implications?
Note the description of relatives and rivals and comparison to the Mafia. Implications? Result?
Note the fate of Lepidus, Agrippina and Julia Livilla.
Note Agrippina’s “last laugh”.
Note who else was involved in this conspiracy. Result?
Note details of the Rhine frontier. Implications? Result?
What was Caligula’s real “dream”? Result?
Commander Caligula
Note Henry Hurst’s comments on the role of the Army. Implications? Result?
What was Caligula’s target? Why? Result?
What do the ancient sources tell us about this campaign? Implications?
What may be an alternative explanation? Implications?
Note the practice of decimation. Result? Implications?
What had Caligula achieved in the North? Result?
Note the description of a triumph.
Why does the Senate refuse his request for a triumph? Result?
The proof of Power
Note details of the ‘resort’ at the Baiae.
Note details of the bridge built by Caligula across the Bay of Naples. Result? Implications?
What alternative explanation is given for this display? Implications?
Floating Pleasures
Note details of Caligula’s project at Lake Nemi.
Why did he choose Lake Nemi?
Note the archaeological discovery made in the 1920s. Implications?
Note the fate of the great ships.
Note how the ships were appointed. Implications?
Note the reference to pharaoh. Implications?
Note the description of “vanity projects”.
Why did he have to step on a lot of people?
What do these displays of power communicate? Implications?
The Empire Strikes Back
How did Caligula deal with “opposition”?
Note the comment on violence as a deterrent. Implications?
Note the discussion of how to measure “cruelty”. Implications?
What was Caligula’s “motive” for these killings? Result?
Note the story of the palace brothel. Implications? Result?
Why were wives and children of Senators invited into the palace? Result?
Who could Caligula trust? Result? Implications?
Note details of the freedman Protogenes.
Note how the Senators demonstrated their loyalty to Caligula. Implications?
Note how Caligula had transformed the role of Emperor. Result? Implications?
What does Caligula’s ego demand?
Divine Power
What could happen after an Emperor died?
What did Caligula want?
Note the comment on Caligula’s experience in early life in Syria. Implications?
Note his “ingenious” plan. Result? Implications?
Why was this outrageous?
Why was it also good policy?
Note the comment on the future practices.
What “outrageous” step did he take? Result?
Why was there resistance in the eastern provinces? Result?
The Ultimate Insult
What announcement did Caligula make to the Senate in December 40 BCE? Implications?
Result?
Why was it “now or never” for the Senate? Result?
Why had Rome become a “dangerous” place?
Caligula Must Die
Who were involved in the conspiracy? Why? Implications? Result?
Day 1400
Note details of the events in the Cryptoporticus. Result?
How did the Senate respond to Caligula’s death?
Note the subsequent actions of the Praetorian Guard. Result? Implications?
Note the description of Claudius.
Note the comment on Claudius’s possible implication in Caligula’s death.
Note details of the damnatio memoriae against Caligula. Result?
Note the suggestion of Caligula’s legacy.
Note the final comments on his reign.
EXTENSIONS.
Useful, interesting, challenging, books, sources and websites will provide materials to supplement and
complement the History presented in the video program.
The data collected here should be used in the notemaking below.
Some useful Internet sites:
Sources: http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caligula_sources.html
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Caligula*.html
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Tiberius*.html
The Principate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio-Claudian_dynasty
http://www.roman-emperors.org/auggie.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romanempire/g/Principate.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperor_(Principate)
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/augustus2.html
Tiberius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius
http://www.livius.org/ti-tn/tiberius/tiberius.html
http://www.roman-emperors.org/tiberius.htm
Germanicus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanicus
http://www.nndb.com/people/449/000096161/
Gemellus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius_Gemellus
http://www.roman-emperors.org/gemell.htm
Caligula: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula
http://www.livius.org/caa-can/caligula/caligula.html
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caligula.html
http://www.roman-emperors.org/gaius.htm
http://listverse.com/2013/04/29/9-reasons-caligula-and-nero-were-saner-than-you-think/
http://www.biography.com/people/caligula-9235253
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/caligula.shtml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/10191974/Caligula-Mad-bad-and-maybe-a-little-misunderstood.html
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/uc_caligula.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitatus
Caesonia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesonia
Macro: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quintus_Naevius_Sutorius_Macro
The Roman Senate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Senate
(Don’t buy…read) http://www.oxbridgenotes.co.uk/notes/roman-imperial-history-notes/samples/senatorsunder-principate-essay
http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472112309-ch1.pdf
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/638300?uid=3737536&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102576844587
http://www.research-degree-thesis.com/showinfo-105-949216-0.html
Cassius Chaerea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassius_Chaerea
http://ancientstandard.com/2011/07/25/cassius-chaerea-the-man-who-killed-caligula/
http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/1992/03.02.23.html
Praetorian Guard: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praetorian_Guard
http://www.unrv.com/military/praetorian-guard.php
http://www.livius.org/pp-pr/prefect/praetorian_prefect.html
Claudius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudius
http://www.roman-emperors.org/claudius.htm
NOTEMAKING.
This is the collation stage of the activity. Students need to organise the field of information and begin to
explore its context.
Directions and /or Inquiry questions are provided for notemaking / summary exercises that
will follow the viewing of the video.
The materials / data for the summaries have been collected above.
The activity could be done in teams, groups, or by individuals, or as a class with teacher direction.
1. Draw up a timeline / chronological chart of the events described and discussed in this program.
2. Note details of the institution known as the Principate.
3. Note details of the reigns of the first of the Princeps.
4. Note details of the role of the Senate during the Principate.
5. Note details of the reign of Caius (Caligula).
6. Note details of the events that are interpreted to give a negative image to his reign.
7. Note details of the events that are interpreted to give a negative image to his character.
8. Note details of the alternative versions or reasons that are suggested for some of events and
judgements.
9. Note details of the death of Caligula and his family.
10. Note details of the accession of Claudius.
ISSUES & INQUIRY.
Key issues and inquiry questions that have been raised by the video are addressed at this stage for
discussion and research.
1. Caligula is condemned by historians for his excesses, for wasting the wealth of the Empire.
Tiberius is condemned for his “stinginess”. We are told the Empire was wealthy at Tiberius’s
death. However all we are told about Tiberius’s reign is how “bad” it was. Does this sound like
balanced “reporting”? How would a “good” Emperor be “measured”?
2. If Tiberius retired to Capri to be away from “prying” eyes, how do we then know so much detail
about his excesses and his alleged sexual perversions?
3. What powers had the Senate lost since the Principate was established? What did this mean for
Senators?
4. What role did Claudius play in the death of Caligula?
PROBLEMS of EVIDENCE.
Questions of reliability and validity of the perspectives, evidence and sources presented in the video
program need to be considered, tested and researched.
1. Many of the images used to accompany the early narrative where sexual excess is described are
not contemporary. Some are from the famous brothel in Pompeii and from other ancient sites
such as Bath. What is the impact of these images? Why do you think these particular images
were chosen?
2. What are the sources of the “stories” we are told about Caligula and his excesses?
When were they written? Who wrote them? Which class did these ‘historians” come from?
Are there possible alternative explanations for some of the bizarre and perverse events of
Caligula’s reign?
3. We are told many times that Caligula “knew” or “realized” or “understood” certain things.
Can an historian know what Caligula, or anyone else in the past, was thinking?
4. Who murdered Caligula and why?
COMMUNICATING.
The key issues and inquiry questions are potential topics for debate, essay writing, reports, historical
recount and explanation.
1. Write a REPORT on the Principate.
2. Prepare notes (both sides) for a DEBATE of the proposition that
Caligula’s reign was a disaster for Rome and its Empire.
3. Why is the surviving record so hostile to Caligula and the Julio-Claudians?
4. What evidence suggests that the traditional view of the reign of Caligula may require revision?