Royalty · Politics · AD 12–AD 41
Born: 31 August AD 12 · Died: 24 January AD 41 · Age at death: 28
Caligula died aged 28. He was born on 31 August AD 12 and died on 24 January AD 41.
Roman emperor whose brief reign became a byword for cruelty and madness until he was assassinated by his own guard in 41 AD
Did you know?His name was a childhood nickname meaning little boot, given to him by soldiers in his father's legions.
Caligula's reign began with joy and ended in horror. He was the son of the popular general Germanicus. As a child in army camps he wore tiny soldier's boots, earning his nickname, which means "little boots". Rome welcomed him as emperor in AD 37. After a serious illness, he became erratic and cruel. Stories of his madness may be exaggerated by hostile writers. He was murdered by his own guards after four years.
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (31 August AD 12 – 24 January AD 41), also called Gaius or Caligula, was the third Roman emperor, ruling from AD 37 until his assassination in AD 41.
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Profile
Roman emperor, AD 12–41
Caligula was born in Antium on 31 August AD 12.
He was the son of the general Germanicus.
He became emperor in AD 37.
He was killed by the Praetorian Guard on 24 January AD 41.
Career highlights
Did you know?The story that he wanted to make his horse a consul comes from ancient gossip.
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