Did he really appoint his horse to Senate? Did he really commit incest with his sisters? Did he really try to erect a colossal sized statue of himself in the Temple of Jerusalem? Did he really set Pontius Pilate free?
This account of Caligula attempts to settle myth from reality while separating his cruelty with his dark humor. Rather than starting at his reign, this begins when Caligula is two years old. It recounts his father, Germanicus, and his successful campaigns under Tiberius. The reader experiences Germanicus’ heavy influence on the empire and on Caligula. Germanicus is the primary focus until approximately 18% (on a Kindle). Upon the death of Germanicus, the reader is thrown into familial conspiracies, senatorial plots, and marital affairs that saturate Caligula’s environment while growing up.
It isn’t until 27% (on a Kindle) that Caligula is deemed emperor. Caligula’s aqueducts, two new legions, rebuilding projects, and constructions are detailed. It is at 34% under the chapter “Enter that Monster” that Caligula is recorded to have changed in behavior after having suffered and survived influenza. His obsessions with the arts, sex, and entertainment are accounted for. It is with these obsessions combined with his lavish spending, paranoia, unpredictable violent outbursts, and the jealousy of others that lead to his demise.
The summation leads to the finale of Caligula’s mental health. Depression? Schizophrenia? Bipolar disorder? Hyperthyroidism? Wilson’s Disease? The author goes through various mental health conditions to support evidence on his claim concerning Caligula’s mental health.
Being only 287 pages on Kindle (or 272 pages hard copy), this is a crash course on Caligula. It is full of interesting facts and fascinating tidbits of history. The comparison between Trump and Caligula at the end was speculation and possessed too many opinions that should be left to the reader.
I recommend this as a good introduction to Caligula. Many thanks to Edelweiss and Turner Publishing for this copy in exchanged for my honest review.