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Birth
Gaius Caesar Germanicus is born in Antium, Latium.
His mother was Agrippina. Gaius had 2 older brothers. -
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The 'Caligula' Nickname
Gaius was given the nickname 'Caligula' by soldiers in the armies that his father commanded. It translates to, "little boots." -
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Death of Germanicus
Caligula's father, Germanicus, was a commander in the Roman army. When he died, Caligula was adopted by his uncle Tiberius -
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Death of Agrippina
Agrippina the elder, Caligula's mother, died supposedly of starvation -
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Caligula succeeds Tiberius
With the death of Tiberius, the Praetorian guard chose Caligula to succeed Tiberius as emperor. Caligula was given preference over Tiberius's grandson Tiberius Gemellus who was believed to be the heir of Tiberius. -
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Executes head of Praetorian Guard
Caligula orders the execution of the head of the Praetorian Guard, as well as the execution of the previous heir of Tiberius, Gemellus. This is a flex of his power -
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Army in Gaul
Caligula leads an army into Gaul to take wealth from the people there. He supposedly takes the army all the way to the English channel to carry out an invasion of Britain, but changes his mind and returns to Rome. -
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Assassination of Caligula
Caligula is killed at the age of 29 by the leaders of the Praetorian Guard, they also kill his wife and daughter. During the invasion of the house, they find Claudius hiding in fear, and declare him the new emperor as they believe they can control him.
