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CALIGULA

(Lat. Caligula)

Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus. Born 31 August 12 c.e. at Antium, ca. 40 km. (25 mi.) S of Rome, to Germanicus, nephew of Tiberius, he was nicknamed Caligula (“Bootkins”) by mutinous Rhine legionaries in 14. Although Tiberius had his mother and two brothers killed for conspiracy, the emperor befriended Gaius and named him his successor. Gaius succeeded Tiberius in 37 with support from the praetorian guard, the senate, and the people.

Caligula’s favor ended soon after. Beset by illness, he ruled despotically, instituting treason trials against senators and the praetorian guard and executing supporters and foes alike. His inclination toward extravagent spectacle and dress brought disfavor, as did confiscations and extortions. In 39 he dismissed the consuls and banished or executed members of his family for conspiracy. His campaigns in Britain and Germany failed. Upon return to Rome in 40, Caligula assumed trappings of the imperial cult popular in the east but disliked in Rome. He built a temple to himself on the Palatine and extorted large sums from citizens to be his priests, and he ordered that the Jerusalem temple be converted to an imperial shrine. After Caligula was assassinated on 24 January 41, his name was removed from official records and his statues destroyed.

Bibliography. A. A. Barrett, Caligula: The Corruption of Power (New Haven, 1990); C. Scarre, Chronicle of the Roman Emperors (London, 1995).

Scott Nash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CALIGULA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)