Gaius was born on August 31, 12 AD to Germanicus; Augustus' adopted grandson, and Agrippina Senior, Augustus' granddaughter. Gaius was the third of six children, the youngest son, and accompanied his parents on many military campaigns. As a baby his parents would dress him up in a miniature soldier costume and show him to the armies on their campaigns. Gaius received his nickname Caligula from the half boots or sandals that went with the costume called caligilas. The armies affectionately called him "little boots" or Caligula. (Bibliography # 1,6).

When Gaius as youth he developed an unhealthy relationship with his sisters Agrippina Jr, Drusilla and Julia Livilla. Gaius's two brothers and his mother were killed after they were accused of plotting against Tiberius. Gaius's father, Germanicus, died under what is recorde

· (7) Wood, S. "Diva Drusilla Panthea and the sisters of Caligula." AJA 99(1995): 457-82

Even though Caligula was recorded as insane he was very important. Caligula's reign highlighted the inherent weakness in the Augustan Principate. It was now, because of Caligula, openly revealed for was it was, a crude monarchy in which only the self-discipline of the official acted as a restraint on their behavior. And that the only way of retiring the unruly princeps was murder marked yet another important revelation: "Roman emperors could not relinquish their powers without relinquishing their lives"-Balsdon. (Bibliography # 2).

During Gaius' reign he had Mauretania annexed and reorganized into two provinces, Herod Agrippa appointed to a kingdom in Palestine and many severe riots between Jews and Greeks took place. He Gauls dress up as Germans at his triumph and had his Roman troops collect seashells as "spoils for the sea". (Bibliography # 2).

Just as other conspiracies there were suspicions that the plot was broader than sources had said in the beginning. The conspiracy might have even had the support of the next emperor Claudius, but there isn't evidence that proves these theories. (Bibliography # 2).

· (5) Barrett, A.A. Caligula: The Corruption of power. New Haven,1989

Some common words found in the essay are:
Principate Caligula, Gaius Tiberius's, Augustus Gaius, Senior Augustus', AD Gaius, Praetorian Guard, Cassius Chaerea, Cn Lentulus, AD Tiberius', Greeks Gauls, bibliography #, # 2, bibliography # 2, ad gaius, 37 ad, ad tiberius' death, herod agrippa, # 1-3, cn lentulus, 24 gaius, # 24, bibliography # 1-3, # 24 gaius, 12 ad, bibliography # 24,
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