Caligula (“Little Boots”), Gaius
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Caligula (“Little Boots”), Gaius: Roman Emperor (rAD 37-41). The son of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, he succeeded Tiberius on the throne. Little good has been recorded of Gaius Caligula in surviving historical records and he is considered one of the worst of the Roman emperors. How much of this reputation is deserved is difficult to determine. Despite being the son of two of the noblest figures in Roman history, much of his upbringing was in the debauched court of his grand uncle Tiberius. He may also have suffered brain damage from a serious illness early in his reign. Whatever the case, he was hated enough to be the victim of a conspiracy led by members of his own Praetorian Guard and was assassinated in Rome at the age of 29. He was succeeded by his uncle Claudius.
Gaius’s nickname Caligula (Little Boot) derives from the Latin word caliga, the name of a type of military boot. He received this epithet as a young boy when he accompanied his father on military duties clad in a child-sized military costume.