Caligula's Rise and Fall

Caligula is Assassinated

41 BCE

Caligula was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard which was led by Cassius Chaerea. This occurred after the Emperor met with some actors before a performance. After he was killed the mob went and killed his wife and child.
Empathy:By killing Caligula, the senate believed that they could save Rome and restore it back to its glory, which included killing his bloodline. Source: Suetonius, Robert Graves, and J. B. Rives. The Twelve Caesars. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1957.

Conspiracy

40 BCE

The Praetorian Guard and the senate create a conspiracy against the Emperor. This was led by Cassius Chaera.
Empathy: The senate was not happy with Caligula because they believed that he was spending too much money and he was changing the senate so that he held all of the power. In order to save Rome, so they thought, they had to do what they thought was needed.

Caligula Declares Himself A God

40 BCE

Caligula declares himself a god and treats his subjects worse than previously. He has everyone refer to him as a divinity and requests his statute be placed in sacred temples. One in particular in Judea, which almost causes a revolt. Source: Suetonius, Robert Graves, and J. B. Rives. The Twelve Caesars. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1957.

Uneventful Military Campaigns

39 BCE

Caligula had no military accomplishments under his belt, and as an emperor that is frowned upon. In order to get some recognition from the military and the senate, he and his army go to the Rhine and Britain, but nothing occurred. Instead, he developed theatrical stories about victory for when he came home.
Empathy: the people of Rome do not trust an emperor who has not fought. Source: Suetonius, Robert Graves, and J. B. Rives. The Twelve Caesars. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1957.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

39 BCE

Caligula was known for his cruel punishments. An example of that would be that the emperor would make members of the senate run alongside his chariot through town. If they did not, they would be punished in unique ways. Source: Cassius Dio, T.E. Page, Litt.D., And W.H.D rouse, Litt.D., Dios Roman History, London: William Heinemann, New York: The Macmillan Co.

Caligula Abolishes Unnecessary Taxes

38 BCE

Caligula appeals to the people of the Roman Empire by abolishing unnecessary taxes, which upsets the senate. This leads to the start of the senate not being happy with the new emperor. Source: Wilkinson, Sam, Caligula (London: Routledge, 2005), 11.

Drusilla Passes Away

38 BCE

Caligula's sister, Drusilla, passes away due to a fever. This leaves the emperor grief-stricken and distraught. Many historians believe this is when the Emperor starts to show who he truly is. Source: Suetonius, Robert Graves, and J. B. Rives. The Twelve Caesars. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1957.

Germellus Dies

38 BCE

Tiberius' biological son Germellus suddenly dies and leaves the Roman Empire for Caligula. Sources such as Cassius Dio and Suetonius believe Caligula murdered Germellus to be the sole ruler. This is believed to have happened in late 37 A.D. or early 38 A.D. Note: Cassius Dio and Suetonius are historians of their time. They were not present during the reign of Caligula. All accounts by them were written after.

Co- Emperors

37 BCE

Caligula, Tiberius adopted son, and his biological son Germellus become co-Emperors of the Roman Empire. Article

Emperor Tiberius Dies

37 BCE

Emperor Tiberius passes away leaving the Roman Empire to his sons. Sources: Suetonius, Robert Graves, and J. B. Rives. The Twelve Caesars. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1957. Cassius Dio, T.E. Page, Litt.D., And W.H.D rouse, Litt.D., Dios Roman History, London: William Heinemann, New York: The Macmillan Co.

Caligula's Reign

Period: 37 BCE to 41 BCE

Want to get more information on the reign of Caligula? Linked below are a few resources. This information will give you an overview before beginning the timeline or give clarification afterward. Resources:
(Article)[https://www-jstor-org.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/stable/826949?seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents] (Podcast)[https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474]