Aloys winterling caligula a biography on martin

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The emperor Gaius Caligula continues to haunt the imagination of scholars and members of the general public alike, as evidenced by a number of biographies which have attempted to assess his reign and character.¹ Advances have been made in understanding Caligula’s actions in the context of the political upheavals of his reign.

In this new biography, originally published in Germany in 2003, Winterling seeks to explain why the ancient accounts of Caligula express such intense hatred towards him.

Winterling begins by examining Caligula’s family background and early years.

Winterling emphasises the importance of Augustus’ intention to establish sole rule through his professed restoration of the Republic.

Aloys winterling caligula a biography on martin luther

This innovation produced two problems that would trouble his successors. First, Augustus’ delicate manoeuvring to preserve the Republican façade would prove difficult for later emperors to emulate. It would cause Caligula considerable consternation.

Second, the imperial fami