Caligula. The corruption of power

Anthony Barrett0415214858, 9780415214858

Of all Roman emperors none, with the possible exception of Nero, surpasses Caligula’s reputation for infamy. But was Caligula really the mad despot and depraved monster of popular legend or the victim of hostile ancient historians? In this study of Caligula’s life, reign and violent death, Anthony A. Barrett draws on the archaeological and numismatic evidence to supplement the later written record. In Professor Barrett’s view, the mystery of Caligula’s reign is not why he descended into autocracy, but how any intelligent Roman could have expected a different outcome – to grant total power to an inexperienced and arrogant young man was a recipe for disaster. This book, scholarly and accessible, offers a careful reconstruction of Caligula’s life and times, and a shrewd assessment of his historical importance.

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Table of contents :
Book Cover……Page 1
Title……Page 4
Contents……Page 5
List of Illustrations……Page 7
Outline of Significant Events……Page 13
Foreword……Page 16
Family Background……Page 28
Struggle for the Succession……Page 44
Private Pursuits……Page 69
The New Emperor……Page 77
Signs of Strain……Page 100
Conspiracy……Page 118
North Africa……Page 142
Britain and Germany……Page 152
Divine Honours……Page 167
Assassination……Page 181
Aftermath……Page 207
Caligula and the Jews……Page 217
Caligula the Builder……Page 227
Fit to Rule?……Page 248
Caligula’s named victims……Page 277
Coins, Inscriptions and Sculpture……Page 279
Notes and References……Page 290
Bibliography……Page 351
Index……Page 364