The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius, Caligula

"…nursing a viper in Rome's bosom."

For this week, we look at Suetonius's The Twelve Caesars. Specifically, we will be looking at Book IV, the biography of Gaius Caligula. Most of what is known about Caligula comes from Suetonius, who gathered his information not only through the official documents held within Emperor Hadrian's archives but also through rumors, gossip, and first-hand accounts concerning the third Emperor of Rome. Caligula was the son of Germanicus, a wise and beloved military general who was nephew to the Emperor, Tiberius, and son of the fourth Emperor of Rome, Claudius. At one point, it was believed that Germanicus would become the Emperor one day, with Tiberius announcing as such. Unfortunately, Germanicus died in 19 AD. After the death of his father, Caligula was adopted by Tiberius.

After the death of his patron, Caligula becomes the third Emperor. Initially, citizens of Rome and the Senate think highly of the not-yet 25-year-old man, primarily due to the respect given for his father, Germanicus. However, what follows is the most outstanding example of why one man should not be granted ultimate power, an embodiment of irresponsibility, corruption, and greed. The lowlights of Caligula's exploits include:

·         Marrying his sister

·         Threatening to make his horse consul

·         He built a walkway from his palace to a temple so that he could be closer to his "brother," the Roman god Jupiter; Caligula believed himself to be a living deity

·         He would have busts of his head replace those on statues of different gods.

·         He tormented high-ranking senators by making them run for miles in front of his chariot.

·         He had brazened affairs with the wives of his allies

·         Led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, commanding his troops to "plunder the sea" by gathering shells in their helmets

These barely scrape the surface of Caligula's exploits, all under his cautious phrase to the Roman people:

"Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody."

Caligula was so disliked at the end of his reign that his Praetorian Guards killed him. Thankfully, his uncle Claudius took the helm after his nephew, bringing Rome back to its former glory.

As with Metamorphoses, I would encourage you to read this book in its entirety, as there are so many important lessons on leadership and the burden of command. However, if you just read Book IV, you will understand the fear of dictatorship prevalent in the Western world's history.