Bronze As of Caligula, Rome - Latium
Title
Bronze As of Caligula, Rome - Latium
Subject
Coinage--Rome
Description
Obv. bust of Caligula l.; around C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT; border of dots
Rev. Vesta seated l. holding patera and sceptre; above VESTA; on either side S/C; border of dots
Weight: 10.6g
Diameter: 29.2mm
Caligula earned his name when his father, Germanicus, took him to the frontier on the Rhine at age 2 and the soldiers nicknamed him “little boots” (Caligula) due to his tiny military uniform. In 19 CE, Germanicus died of an illness which was suspected to be a poisoning. His great-uncle Tiberius became emperor, and in 30 CE, Tiberius summoned Caligula to keep an eye on him, and Caligula became close with the prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Macro. Though Tiberius favored his young grandson Gemellus as the next emperor, in 35 he named Caligula and Gemellus joint heirs. In 37, Tiberius died and Gemellus was pushed aside in favor of Caligula by Macro and his father-in-law Silenus. Later that year, Caligula fell seriously ill. Macro and Silenus prepared Gemellus to take the throne, but Caligula eventually recovered and felt betrayed by his friends. He poisoned Gemellus in retribution, pretended to appoint Macro governor of Egypt, but was arrested at the port and forced to commit suicide. Silenus committed suicide, realizing that he was next. After this point, his reign was marked by brutality and paranoia. He enjoyed watching torture and blood sport. After unsuccessful military endeavors and debauchery, the captain of his Praetorian Guard murdered Caligula and his wife and daughter.
Rev. Vesta seated l. holding patera and sceptre; above VESTA; on either side S/C; border of dots
Weight: 10.6g
Diameter: 29.2mm
Caligula earned his name when his father, Germanicus, took him to the frontier on the Rhine at age 2 and the soldiers nicknamed him “little boots” (Caligula) due to his tiny military uniform. In 19 CE, Germanicus died of an illness which was suspected to be a poisoning. His great-uncle Tiberius became emperor, and in 30 CE, Tiberius summoned Caligula to keep an eye on him, and Caligula became close with the prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Macro. Though Tiberius favored his young grandson Gemellus as the next emperor, in 35 he named Caligula and Gemellus joint heirs. In 37, Tiberius died and Gemellus was pushed aside in favor of Caligula by Macro and his father-in-law Silenus. Later that year, Caligula fell seriously ill. Macro and Silenus prepared Gemellus to take the throne, but Caligula eventually recovered and felt betrayed by his friends. He poisoned Gemellus in retribution, pretended to appoint Macro governor of Egypt, but was arrested at the port and forced to commit suicide. Silenus committed suicide, realizing that he was next. After this point, his reign was marked by brutality and paranoia. He enjoyed watching torture and blood sport. After unsuccessful military endeavors and debauchery, the captain of his Praetorian Guard murdered Caligula and his wife and daughter.
Date
37-38 CE
Geolocation
Collection
Citation
“Bronze As of Caligula, Rome - Latium,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed August 28, 2026, https://omeka.conncoll.edu/items/show/2019.