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Of all the Roman experors none, with the possible exception of Nero, surpasses Caligula's reputation for infamy. But was Caligula really the mad despot and depraved monster of popular legend or the victim of hostile ancient historians?
In this first major reassessment of Caligula's life, reign and violent death for over fifty years, Anthony Barrett draws on the archaeological and numismatic evidence to supplement the later written record. While Caligula's unpredictable behaviour clearly caused distress among the nobility, public reaction to his assassination was anger, not relief: his self-indulgence had been generally enjoyed after Tiberian austerity and most of his named victims had been executed not capriciously, but for involvement in plots against him. Moreover, Caligula's short reign (AD 37-41) is not historically insignificant. He formulated the plans for the conquest of Britain; his reign saw the first serious outbreak of anti-semitism in the Roman world; most important of all, because of a complaisant Senate, he became the first emperor to enjoy almost unlimited powers. The manner of his accession established a pattern that was to be repeated over the next four centuries.
In Professor Barrett's view, the mystery of Caligula's reign is not why he descended into autocracy, but how any intelligent Roman could have imagined a different outcome. To make an inexperienced young man, brought up by aged and repressive guardians, master of the world was to court disaster. The autocracy of Caligula and of subsequent emperors was one of the Romans' own making.
In this first major reassessment of Caligula's life, reign and violent death for over fifty years, Anthony Barrett draws on the archaeological and numismatic evidence to supplement the later written record. While Caligula's unpredictable behaviour clearly caused distress among the nobility, public reaction to his assassination was anger, not relief: his self-indulgence had been generally enjoyed after Tiberian austerity and most of his named victims had been executed not capriciously, but for involvement in plots against him. Moreover, Caligula's short reign (AD 37-41) is not historically insignificant. He formulated the plans for the conquest of Britain; his reign saw the first serious outbreak of anti-semitism in the Roman world; most important of all, because of a complaisant Senate, he became the first emperor to enjoy almost unlimited powers. The manner of his accession established a pattern that was to be repeated over the next four centuries.
In Professor Barrett's view, the mystery of Caligula's reign is not why he descended into autocracy, but how any intelligent Roman could have imagined a different outcome. To make an inexperienced young man, brought up by aged and repressive guardians, master of the world was to court disaster. The autocracy of Caligula and of subsequent emperors was one of the Romans' own making.
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About the Author:
Having studied at the Universities of Oxford, Durham and Toronto, Anthony Barrett is currently Professor of Classics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He has written extensively in the field of classical antiquity.
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- PublisherRoutledge
- Publication date1993
- ISBN 10 0713474033
- ISBN 13 9780713474039
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages360
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Caligula: The Corruption of Power (Roman Imperial Biographies)
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B. T. Batsford Ltd., London
(1993)
ISBN 10: 0713474033
ISBN 13: 9780713474039
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Photographic (illustrator). First Edition. List of illustrations, outline of significant events, foreword by author, to appendices, notes and references, bibliography and index. Between pages 166 and 167 there are eight pages of black and white photographs; and, there are some figures and maps throughout. Photographic paperback binding with white coloured titles to the front panel and back strip. In this book the author looks at one of the most infamous of Roman Emperors  Caligula. Quoting the rear panel blurb " . In this study of Caligula's life, reign and violent death, and the draws on the archaeological and numismatic evidence to supplement the later written record. In Professor Barrett's view, the mystery of Caligula's reign is not why he descended into autocracy, but how any intelligent Roman could have expected a different outcome  to grant total power to inexperienced and arrogant young man was a recipe for disaster." Rubbing of the book edges and panels with fading of the back strip, the top centimetre of the front panel and 3 cm of the right hand edge of the rear panel. First Paperback Edition. Size: Trade Paperback. [4], V - XXVI, 334 pages, Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Illustrator: Photographic. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Biography & Autobiography; Rome; Ancient (BC); History. ISBN: 0713474033. ISBN/EAN: 9780713474039. Inventory No: 0290652. Seller Inventory # 0290652
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Caligula: The Corruption of Power
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(1989)
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ISBN 13: 9780713474039
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Very good copy. xxv, 315pp. Seller Inventory # 041613
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Caligula: The Corruption of Power (Roman Imperial Biographies)
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