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Why did Caligula go mad?

Updated: 8/23/2023
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12y ago

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Your question is a debatable one and it more than likely will never be answered definitely. Some claim that he was mad while others claim very strongly that he was not mad. The truth is that we simply do not know. (there were no psychiatrists or drugs for mental illness in Caligula's time) What we do know, though, is that he was very self-centered and immature. Those characteristics combined with massive wealth and power would certainly give one the impression that he was mad, due to the way he used his power. At the present time, a new biography has been written and there are new evaluations of him occasionally turning up.

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10y ago
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9y ago

Rome had always had its fair share of bad emperors. Caligula, Nero, Commodus are such examples. In a time when Left-handed people were considered unlucky, Emperor Caligula often appeared in public dressed in women's clothing. His favorite horse, Incitatus, lived in a marble stable, with an ivory manger. Caligula also tried to make him a consul the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and the most important job in the government. All classical accounts of Gaius 'Caligula' agree that he possessed elements of madness, cruelty, viciousness, extravagance and megalomania. He is described as a coarse and cruel despot with an extraordinary passion for sadism and a fierce energy. He could get extremely excited and angry. Caligula was tall, spindly, pale and prematurely bald. He was so sensitive about his lack of hair that it was a capital crime for anyone to look down from a high place as Caligula passed by. Sometimes he ordered those with a fine head of hair to be shaved. He made up for lack of hair on his head by an abundance of body-hair. About this too he could be equally sensitive; even the mention of "hairy goats" in conversation was dangerous. He used to grimace, which he practiced in front of a mirror, and he was an impressive orator. His great-uncle, the Emperor Tiberius, once said: 'There was never a better slave not a worse master than Caligula.

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14y ago

because he wanted to be mean!

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Which Roman Emperor made his horse a general?

No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.


Who are Caligula Nero and Commodus?

The emperors Nero and Caligula were both known for their extravagance. Caligula is said to have been mad and is noted for his wild parties and his abuse of authority. Nero, in addition to being a big spender, is remembered for killing his mother and his prosecution of the Christians.


What relationship was Claudius to Caligula?

Claudius was Caligula's uncle. He was the brother of Caligula's father, Germanicus.


Are Caligula and Nero brothers?

No, Caligula was Nero's uncle.


What Roman emperor was named little boots?

The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".The emperor Gaius, or as we know him, Caligula. The name Caligula is a derivative of the word for the Roman military boot, the "caliga".

Related questions

Which Roman Emperor made his horse a general?

No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.No Roman emperor appointed his horse a senator, consul or to any other office. That is just a malicious rumor about the emperor Caligula. Caligula was frustrated with the slow actions of the senate and made a remark that he could appoint his horse a consul and get faster results. The gossipers took this and ran with it as a reason to think that Caligula was mad and a reason to justify his assassination.


Who are Caligula Nero and Commodus?

The emperors Nero and Caligula were both known for their extravagance. Caligula is said to have been mad and is noted for his wild parties and his abuse of authority. Nero, in addition to being a big spender, is remembered for killing his mother and his prosecution of the Christians.


Was Caligula the third emperor?

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How do you use the word dissolute in a sentence?

the mad Roman emperor Caligula led an extravagant dissolute life.


What relationship was Claudius to Caligula?

Claudius was Caligula's uncle. He was the brother of Caligula's father, Germanicus.


What actors and actresses appeared in Caligula - 2003?

The cast of Caligula - 2003 includes: Jerry Anton as Caligula


Are Caligula and Nero brothers?

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Was Caligula's a successful leader why?

Caligula was not a successful leader


When was Caligula in power?

Caligula ruled from 37 to 41 AD.


Who reigns after Caligula?

Claudius ruled after Caligula. Caligula was murdered by the imperial guard (the Praetorian Guard) who then proclaimed Claudius as emperor.


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