Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor
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Kent State University / OhioLINK
2013
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1374749172 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent13747491722021-08-03T06:18:55Z Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor Bissler, Joseph S. Classical Studies Caligula Latin emperor Rome insanity Britain incest god Jupiter Claudius Agrippina Drusilla Augustus Germanicus Agrippa Suetonius Dio Cassius Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Nero Elagabalus worst historiography epigraphy BISSLER, JOSEPH STEPHEN, M.A., August 2013LATINCALIGULA UNMASKED: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF ROME’S MOST NOTORIOUS EMPEROR (116 PP.)Director of Thesis: Brian K. Harvey Several Roman emperors have come down to the present with negativity attached to their names and one well-known example is Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula. The primary literary sources narrate that Caligula was a loathsome and immoral emperor by pointing out specific instances in his life that demonstrate their claims. Although there are several instances that the authors discuss, I chose to investigate and analyze specifically these three in hopes of portraying the actual Caligula, not the monster: the supposed British invasion, the claims of incest with his three sisters (and especially Drusilla), and the claims of his divinity. My goal with each of these instances was to show that the literary sources (the aristocrats) filled their accounts and biographies of Caligula with distortions, lies, and/or exaggerations. Whenever possible, I utilized other primary sources (e.g., inscriptions, coins, artifacts, and archaeological remains) in order to show that their writings must not be taken completely at face value. After researching the three instances, I found the following about the emperor to be most accurate: Caligula never invaded Britain, but he intended to capture it in the future; his sisters were political tools and sources of affection, not incestuous play toys; he was not worshipped as a god in Rome but he was in the East (as was acceptable for all emperors). Today, the word “Caligula” immediately elicits wicked imagery and it is imperative, therefore, that all instances that portray Caligula negatively be understood most accurately so that the full range of Caligula’s character may be able to be shown, not just the monster. 2013-07-30 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1374749172 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1374749172 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Classical Studies Caligula Latin emperor Rome insanity Britain incest god Jupiter Claudius Agrippina Drusilla Augustus Germanicus Agrippa Suetonius Dio Cassius Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Nero Elagabalus worst historiography epigraphy |
| spellingShingle |
Classical Studies Caligula Latin emperor Rome insanity Britain incest god Jupiter Claudius Agrippina Drusilla Augustus Germanicus Agrippa Suetonius Dio Cassius Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Nero Elagabalus worst historiography epigraphy Bissler, Joseph S. Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| author |
Bissler, Joseph S. |
| author_facet |
Bissler, Joseph S. |
| author_sort |
Bissler, Joseph S. |
| title |
Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| title_short |
Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| title_full |
Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| title_fullStr |
Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Caligula Unmasked: an Investigation of the Historiography of Rome's Most Notorious Emperor |
| title_sort |
caligula unmasked: an investigation of the historiography of rome's most notorious emperor |
| publisher |
Kent State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2013 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1374749172 |
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