Caligula - Rome’s Mad Emperor

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  • čas přidán 11. 05. 2024
  • Check out my other channel TopTenz! / toptenznet
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    Credits:
    Host - Simon Whistler
    Author - Morris M.
    Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
    Executive Producer - Shell Harris
    Business inquiries to biographics.email@gmail.com
    Other Biographics Videos:
    Sun Tzu: The Art of War
    • Sun Tzu: The Art of War
    Adolf Hitler - The Rise of a Fanatical Führer
    • Adolf Hitler - The Ris...
    Source/Further reading:
    (Excellent, two part podcast on the Tiberius and Caligula years): thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/...
    thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/...
    (Suetonius, ancient Roman source): penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E...
    www.britannica.com/biography/...
    www.history.com/topics/ancien...
    www.biography.com/people/cali...
    www.telegraph.co.uk/history/1...
    (A dissenting opinion! Is Caligula actually not as bad as we thought?): www.bbc.com/news/magazine-234...

Komentáře • 2,7K

  • @Biographics
    @Biographics  Před 4 lety +141

    Have you checked out my latest channel Business Blaze? It's interesting business stories with a dose of ridiculousness thrown in. Check it out here: czcams.com/channels/YY5GWf7MHFJ6DZeHreoXgw.html

    • @JimChap
      @JimChap Před 4 lety +3

      Hey there, love your work. Such concentrated information presented in such an easily digestible way. Much respect from NZ, and keep it up!

    • @bumgarner4987
      @bumgarner4987 Před 4 lety +2

      Yes I’m subscribed to all of your channels... Simon if you had absolute power what would be one horrible thing you’re afraid you might do ?

    • @libertarian-xp3yi
      @libertarian-xp3yi Před 4 lety +2

      Why not do a video on Commodus he ran a close race with caligula and nero

    • @libertarian-xp3yi
      @libertarian-xp3yi Před 4 lety

      Simon you would have made a magnificent Orator in ancient Rome

    • @chantelles3641
      @chantelles3641 Před 4 lety

      @Biographics, please do the eulogy at my funeral! I'm not sick... so see you in 60 years?

  • @Marbo12f
    @Marbo12f Před 4 lety +2831

    Power doesn't corrupt.
    Power reveals.

    • @mattiOTX
      @mattiOTX Před 4 lety +32

      I have said the same.

    • @Marbo12f
      @Marbo12f Před 4 lety +145

      @ammar siddiqui If the only thing stopping someone from committing pederasty is the fact they're too weak to hold a child down, we wouldn't say going to the gym to buff up "corrupted" them into being a pedophile.
      Not cheating on a spouse because they're too ugly to find someone else doesn't make a person loyal. Not cursing out a boss because they don't want to be fired doesn't make a person nice. Not turning a country into an orgy of hedonistic terror isn't meritorious if you're beggar. And in the changing of any of these circumstances, we would not call it "corruption".
      The essence of who a person is, is revealed only when someone has the means to do that which they aught not to. Thusly, power does not "corrupt" an individual into doing terrible things, it merely lets people out of whatever cage held them back.
      Power doesn't corrupt.
      Power reveals.

    • @simonforrest2522
      @simonforrest2522 Před 4 lety +19

      Power corrupts if you are that way inclined

    • @shreihals9314
      @shreihals9314 Před 4 lety +5

      Fae-Ray Anthem both actualy

    • @lisamarie6411
      @lisamarie6411 Před 4 lety +6

      ammar siddiqui , have you seen Lord of The Rings? It’s like the Ring, it reveals their desires and that’s a telltale. Xo

  • @LibraBlue1962
    @LibraBlue1962 Před 5 lety +4247

    This is why he never had a salad named after him.

    • @bubblegumbitch2191
      @bubblegumbitch2191 Před 5 lety +44

      Cam Rubi what would Caesar say;)

    • @lindsey9958
      @lindsey9958 Před 4 lety +21

      I like your dog :)

    • @sugarnads
      @sugarnads Před 4 lety +65

      Gaius CAESAR....Just saying.

    • @dANbRnL
      @dANbRnL Před 4 lety +76

      No but he had a sexual position named after him, similar to a salad though, so consolation prize there.

    • @Schumanized
      @Schumanized Před 4 lety +5

      Cam Rubi 😂😂😂😂👍🏽

  • @sandtshark7822
    @sandtshark7822 Před 4 lety +1982

    Caligula: prepare for trouble
    Nero: and make it double

    • @TotalTech_
      @TotalTech_ Před 4 lety +138

      Tiberius: Meowth! Thats right

    • @jaycharles3121
      @jaycharles3121 Před 4 lety +24

      God must love stupid people, he sure makes alot of them.

    • @TotalTech_
      @TotalTech_ Před 4 lety +60

      @@jaycharles3121 Welcome to the club buddy. It's good to have you. Our numbers are growing

    • @ilkkarautio2449
      @ilkkarautio2449 Před 4 lety +9

      Nero has been demonized by our dear church. He was popular with the people and later emperors liked first half of his reign more than anyone elses. 🤔🤔

    • @swim_ad
      @swim_ad Před 4 lety

      @@TotalTech_ "go away! 'batin!"

  • @annastashaschultzekov8547
    @annastashaschultzekov8547 Před 3 lety +510

    If Caligula had died instead of dragging himself back to the land of the living he probably would have been on the list of the most popular emperors instead of on the list of the worst emperers!

    • @Memelord4dayz
      @Memelord4dayz Před 2 lety +11

      You spelled it right the first time and wrong the second time. I feel it tho

    • @yungsammysosa6201
      @yungsammysosa6201 Před 2 lety +13

      @@Memelord4dayz lmao in your attempt to correct them you spelled though wrong 😑 but I feel it tho

    • @Memelord4dayz
      @Memelord4dayz Před 2 lety +6

      @@yungsammysosa6201 it's a joke my mans lmao.

    • @gred9431
      @gred9431 Před 2 lety +3

      Worst? You mean based

    • @adamrandolph4003
      @adamrandolph4003 Před 2 lety +6

      I mean he definitely had brain damage right?

  • @BaconNCereal
    @BaconNCereal Před 5 lety +3863

    Imagine living through Tiberius then Caligula only to see Nero take the throne oof

    • @tobtobsaitama8428
      @tobtobsaitama8428 Před 5 lety +459

      zxzx imagine being Christian than getting blamed by Nero that you lit half of Rome on fire

    • @pinkmazohyst
      @pinkmazohyst Před 5 lety +159

      @@tobtobsaitama8428 Double oof

    • @audreymuzingo933
      @audreymuzingo933 Před 5 lety +185

      Well, we've had 2 Bush's and now Trump, so.....

    • @laszlokiss483
      @laszlokiss483 Před 5 lety +170

      @@audreymuzingo933 why doesn't Trump wear glasses ??? Because he already has 2020!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

    • @audreymuzingo933
      @audreymuzingo933 Před 5 lety +186

      @@laszlokiss483 Definitely don't quit your day job for comedy. Or fortune telling. LOL

  • @ricosuave6898
    @ricosuave6898 Před 5 lety +1888

    Caligula: "I'm the MAD Roman Emperor!"
    Nero: "Hold my wine"

    • @kristoffer2250
      @kristoffer2250 Před 5 lety +97

      Caligula the mad
      Nero the beast
      Think it's just fair

    • @andrewhunt7328
      @andrewhunt7328 Před 5 lety +33

      Aerys Targuyren would be jealous

    • @diarradunlap9337
      @diarradunlap9337 Před 5 lety +96

      Nero: "I'm even better at being terrible than Caligula!"
      Domitian: "Hold MY wine!"
      Commodus: "Amateurs!"

    • @wisedragon173
      @wisedragon173 Před 4 lety +38

      Like uncle, like nephew. Nero had his mother executed. He kicked his pregnant wife to death. Then felt sorry for killing her and castrated a young teen/boy called Sporus that looked like his dead wife and married him. Nero dressed Sporus up as his dead wife and paraded him round the City.

    • @devansmith691
      @devansmith691 Před 4 lety +4

      ...while I go torch Rome

  • @yellowjackboots2624
    @yellowjackboots2624 Před 3 lety +298

    "You've gone mad with power!"
    "Of course i have! Have you ever tried going mad without power? Waste of time, no-one listens."
    The Simpsons

  • @alexanderveritas
    @alexanderveritas Před 4 lety +548

    *Romans: Finally, now that tyrant Tiberius has died, we can all return to a somewhat more tranquil existence.*
    *Caligula: **_Sike fools thou has thought!_*

    • @GlassTopV.1
      @GlassTopV.1 Před 4 lety +3

      Banderas Vaduva 😂😂😂

    • @lolawinewinelola
      @lolawinewinelola Před 4 lety +10

      😭😭🤣🤣🤦

    • @benjackson91
      @benjackson91 Před 4 lety +6

      Tiberius in my op is actually a tragically misunderstood figure in history
      Read up about him and you’ll understand

    • @anastasiaisabella7354
      @anastasiaisabella7354 Před 3 lety +2

      😂😂😂

    • @LeglessWonder
      @LeglessWonder Před 3 lety +24

      *Caligula dies
      Romans: whew. Okay those 2 are gone. NOW we can get back to normal
      *NERO HAS ENTERED THE CHAT*

  • @TheLobstersoup
    @TheLobstersoup Před 5 lety +149

    It's ironic that Caligula's name was erased from Roman history, yet will remain to be known throughout all of human history.

  • @Michelo17
    @Michelo17 Před 5 lety +2131

    I heard that the horse he made counsel always voted “Nay” .......

  • @Icekid419
    @Icekid419 Před 4 lety +114

    “And he is giving you bread and circuses and a promise he is not going to kill you at random”
    Well done script writer well done

  • @seacatlol831
    @seacatlol831 Před 3 lety +64

    "Rome is just a city of necks waiting for me to cut" - caligula

  • @julioacceus253
    @julioacceus253 Před 5 lety +345

    HBO needs to up re-up Rome again with 5+ seasons.

  • @ianbaird1774
    @ianbaird1774 Před 5 lety +1054

    Power doesn’t corrupt. Power attracts the corruptible, absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible (Frank Herbert)

    • @LaineyBug2020
      @LaineyBug2020 Před 4 lety +3

      Bi-la kaifa

    • @SP-qo3pd
      @SP-qo3pd Před 4 lety +46

      if I were emperor, I'd have you barbecued. Think for yourself instead of using tired cliches.

    • @alexanderdelacruz9249
      @alexanderdelacruz9249 Před 4 lety +1

      S P 😂😂😂

    • @omar_elattar.6500
      @omar_elattar.6500 Před 4 lety +49

      “Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worst, and corrupts the best. Power is only given to those who are prepared to lower themselves to pick it up.”
      Wise words by Ragnar Lothbrok.

    • @ianbaird1774
      @ianbaird1774 Před 4 lety +3

      S P I was quoting someone else

  • @Aarzu
    @Aarzu Před 4 lety +232

    An interesting theory that I kind of like regarding Caligula is when he took ill, he apparently suffered a serious fever as well and when he recovered he had actually suffered brain damage. A sad effect of brain damage (which certainly could have been caused by poison as well) is that people who suffer it can undergo a personality change.

    • @ChrisZukowski88
      @ChrisZukowski88 Před 2 lety +39

      Henry the 8th suffered a head wound from jousting and became a tyrant right after the injury.

    • @Nierez
      @Nierez Před 2 lety +5

      Maybe, he thought they attempted to poison him.

    • @animec-dramaskpop6362
      @animec-dramaskpop6362 Před rokem +9

      Or people can just be naturally evil.

    • @alexlibby5087
      @alexlibby5087 Před rokem +17

      @@animec-dramaskpop6362 no one is born ‘evil’; break down tyrants to serial killers histories and you’ll find a genetic history of mental illnesses or inbreeding, repeated childhood trauma, and a whole bunch of them have some type of recorded brain injury.
      Its been fascinating for me to listen to channels like this and notice an equation forming to a violent, sadistic human

    • @animec-dramaskpop6362
      @animec-dramaskpop6362 Před rokem +3

      @@alexlibby5087 Ok, I guess I got some research to do.

  • @LeglessWonder
    @LeglessWonder Před 3 lety +128

    Fun story about his name. “Boot” has long been a term used by those in militaries, applied to new guys. Basically a way to call those who haven’t deployed yet a “rookie” or “noob”. “Slick” was also used in the early 20th century, referring to their slick sleeves not having any chevrons, not really important here tho lol. But as you said, as a child he would follow his dad (who was very well respected and loved by his men) on campaigns, and wear said uniform. So the men would like “hey little boot” and it stuck. I’ve always found this to be awesome, cause the same basic thing still happens today.

  • @thatdude1853
    @thatdude1853 Před 5 lety +1481

    Let's just get a whole series Roman Emperors.
    Edit: Oh my Caesar 600+ likes thanks.
    Edit 2: 800+ I clearly speak for the people Simon

    • @BroznikTSOC
      @BroznikTSOC Před 5 lety +47

      not something we inherently asked for, but still something we need

    • @CDNShuffle
      @CDNShuffle Před 5 lety +14

      read or listen (audio book) to the Twelve Caesars. It mentions jesus in it.

    • @thatdude1853
      @thatdude1853 Před 5 lety +4

      @@CDNShuffle I'll keep that in mind thanks!

    • @Duncan23
      @Duncan23 Před 5 lety +6

      If Roman emperors are your thing check out Totalus Rankium, it's a great podcast about all of them :)

    • @KevinReijnders93
      @KevinReijnders93 Před 5 lety +14

      There's also a netflix series, where each season handles a different emperor, called simply "Rome."

  • @RichardtheFilmGeek
    @RichardtheFilmGeek Před 5 lety +583

    Please, you *have* to do Nero next!

    • @saulthompson8495
      @saulthompson8495 Před 5 lety +10

      Nero would be cool

    • @mariakelly5
      @mariakelly5 Před 5 lety +8

      @@saulthompson8495 But they have to do Claudius before Nero.

    • @joshuaosullivan2761
      @joshuaosullivan2761 Před 5 lety +6

      I wanna know how he got the devil trigger(new to the series)

    • @DJShire_ATL
      @DJShire_ATL Před 5 lety +8

      Yeah the whole time I kept thinking “I thought Nero was the crazy one.”

    • @DavidGarcia-oi5nt
      @DavidGarcia-oi5nt Před 5 lety +4

      CHRISTIANS TO DA LIONZ

  • @rubenleejohnsen2037
    @rubenleejohnsen2037 Před 4 lety +265

    "Seducing his sister and making his horse consul"
    Sounds just like your average crusader kings 2 game.

    • @rainbowthesaurus6253
      @rainbowthesaurus6253 Před 3 lety +7

      Can you appoint horses in that game?

    • @lesliestewart2506
      @lesliestewart2506 Před 3 lety +5

      Welcome to the Public Service!

    • @parrot1442
      @parrot1442 Před 3 lety +5

      Im sorry you dont own Northern Ireland and cant form the Russo - Islamic - Hindu - Franco - Alemain - Khaganate

    • @gaiusjuliuspleaser
      @gaiusjuliuspleaser Před 2 lety

      Fun fact: If you make Glitterhoof a character, Incitatus (Caligula's horse) will eventually make an appearance in CK2.

  • @cyanide_lollipop3264
    @cyanide_lollipop3264 Před 4 lety +252

    I'm officially addicted to these bios. I love ancient history, and your delivery is excellent!! Thank you!!

    • @cyanide_lollipop3264
      @cyanide_lollipop3264 Před 3 lety +1

      @Dildo Shwaggins Good point-he'd be an amazing history teacher.

    • @darkstorm08
      @darkstorm08 Před 3 lety +3

      To be honest I've been on this page all day for these exact reasons...

    • @Malgarroth
      @Malgarroth Před rokem +1

      @@cyanide_lollipop3264 Yeah, if the history were accurate.

    • @Aemilius46
      @Aemilius46 Před 3 měsíci

      Same here!! I absolutely love Ancient History!!! 🤍🗡️🤎🛡️

  • @makuangree2228
    @makuangree2228 Před 5 lety +647

    "Seducing his sister and making his horse consul." Oh boy oh boy buckle up.

    • @lukastanojevic4502
      @lukastanojevic4502 Před 4 lety +82

      *heavy alabaman breathing*

    • @amistry605
      @amistry605 Před 4 lety +6

      @@lukastanojevic4502 bruhhh 😂😂😂

    • @wisedragon173
      @wisedragon173 Před 4 lety +63

      His nephew Nero was evil too. He had his mother executed and kicked his pregnant wife to death. Then he felt sorry for killing her and castrated a young teen/boy called Sporus that looked like his dead wife and married him. Nero dressed Sporus up as his dead wife and paraded him round the City.

    • @amistry605
      @amistry605 Před 4 lety +20

      @@wisedragon173 wtffff?! That literally sounds like you made it up! That's crazy tho!

    • @witchqueen1296
      @witchqueen1296 Před 4 lety +43

      @@amistry605 Unfortunately, he's correct.

  • @JJ3E
    @JJ3E Před 5 lety +208

    As far as Roman emperors go, I'm looking forward to the episode titled "Marcus Aurelius - The Philosopher King".

    • @felipe367
      @felipe367 Před 4 lety +5

      TriviaBot there is a colleague of mine that I call by that name 😝

    • @WillJM81280
      @WillJM81280 Před 4 lety +1

      A true OG stoic. I second that.

    • @radonrodan8332
      @radonrodan8332 Před 2 lety +1

      You had predicted the future,and correctly guessed the title of the video.

  • @ronaldp7573
    @ronaldp7573 Před 4 lety +273

    To contrast when absolute power does not corrupt absolutely. Consider a biography on Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

    • @TheDazzler420
      @TheDazzler420 Před 4 lety +27

      Augustus is the symbol of greatness and crucial genius even under high pressure and power

    • @robertwilloughby8050
      @robertwilloughby8050 Před 4 lety +6

      Problem. Marcus Aurelius was Commodus's father. Hm. Somebody dropped the ball there..... (but yes, he was a good man at least.)

    • @miguelpereira9859
      @miguelpereira9859 Před 3 lety +3

      @@nannerthepuss Ridley Scott is my favourite historian

    • @williamchadwick7948
      @williamchadwick7948 Před 3 lety

      And yet, for all his enlightenment, Marcus Aurelius still fed Christians to lions. Or didn't he?

    • @ronaldp7573
      @ronaldp7573 Před 3 lety

      @@williamchadwick7948 had he fed all of them to lions, Europe would still be united instead of having gone through the dark ages.

  • @margomazzeo1680
    @margomazzeo1680 Před 4 lety +102

    Near the end of Romes ancient era..they had a new emperor every 6 months..it was THAT unstable..ripe for the Visigoth invasion..And its ultimate fall..

    • @crystalraf
      @crystalraf Před 4 lety +18

      They were poisoning themselves with lead from the drinking water and their cooking pots. This caused brain damage and infertility. And doomed them.

    • @LuckyDT
      @LuckyDT Před 4 lety +1

      But Caligula reigned for four years no? And Nero after him?

    • @Aemilius46
      @Aemilius46 Před 3 měsíci

      Well to be fair Constantine The Great kept Rome going with Constantinople and the East!

  • @theimperialyank
    @theimperialyank Před 5 lety +582

    This is a really good Biographic but I was wondering if you could do the mysterious figure of Simon Whistler

    • @jlinkpro
      @jlinkpro Před 5 lety +5

      Yaassssss

    • @bernitaldown9136
      @bernitaldown9136 Před 5 lety +16

      That should be one for for series finale.

    • @BatEatsMoth
      @BatEatsMoth Před 5 lety +12

      I just want to know where his mother is.

    • @fred3467
      @fred3467 Před 5 lety +1

      That would make a great post! Simon is quite an enigma!

    • @BatEatsMoth
      @BatEatsMoth Před 5 lety +4

      @H P Only if you don't get the reference.

  • @ElRaveo
    @ElRaveo Před 5 lety +234

    "He was also something of a colossal DICK" - superb!

    • @mmmmm-ne6zn
      @mmmmm-ne6zn Před 4 lety

      😂😂😂😂

    • @thewhat531
      @thewhat531 Před 4 lety +7

      Wait till Biggus Dickus hears of this!

    • @dancingshiva7008
      @dancingshiva7008 Před 4 lety

      "Well, then I know a certain dick-tator who's sleeping with Mommy tonight" :)

  • @Merisu_Sheep
    @Merisu_Sheep Před 3 lety +58

    Says he only ruled for four years-
    Me: That was all in four years?

  • @danielandreisx
    @danielandreisx Před 4 lety +249

    14:15 Tell me that doesnt look like Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones.

    • @Karin_Allen
      @Karin_Allen Před 4 lety +31

      I've been thinking that about *every* bust of Caligula featured in this video. The similarity is really creepy.

    • @SalahEddineH
      @SalahEddineH Před 4 lety +11

      @@Karin_Allen THANK YOU! I was looking for this comment! So many of them look like Jeoffrey!

    • @WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs
      @WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs Před 4 lety +15

      Caligula _was_ Joffery Baratheon irl

    • @sugarnads
      @sugarnads Před 4 lety +2

      Other way round. Duh. The FICTITIOUS character was cast to look like caius caesar

    • @jesseling6672
      @jesseling6672 Před 4 lety +18

      @@Karin_Allen It's been repeatedly verified that most of the main GoT characters were based off actual historical figures so this is simply par for the course

  • @bryanfavreau5671
    @bryanfavreau5671 Před 5 lety +327

    Would love to see one on Cesare Borgia. I've heard he was the inspiration for The Prince. Also an amazing military leader. Not to mention son of one of the most wicked popes in history.

    • @brandtlucasbrandt
      @brandtlucasbrandt Před 5 lety +7

      One of the most based Popes in history.

    • @joeshmoe5169
      @joeshmoe5169 Před 5 lety +7

      Wasn't his dad Pope though? He was just a Cardinal.

    • @brandtlucasbrandt
      @brandtlucasbrandt Před 5 lety +8

      @@joeshmoe5169 he was a cardinal then he stopped and became a general.

    • @joeshmoe5169
      @joeshmoe5169 Před 5 lety +2

      @@brandtlucasbrandt Right, but my point is, is that he was never Pope. At least to my knowledge.

    • @alexanderbemis9065
      @alexanderbemis9065 Před 5 lety +11

      Bryan Favreau not just a wicked pope, but a wicked pope who wielded the Staff of Motherfucking Eden

  • @ubermensch117
    @ubermensch117 Před 5 lety +235

    You take a mortal man and put him in control watch him become a god watch people’s head a roll - Megadeth

  • @Maxx_XIII
    @Maxx_XIII Před 4 lety +180

    No one ever seems to mention one of the most disgusting things Caligula had ever done. I almost cried and threw up after hearing about it. A person insulted Caligula to his face in the street, so Caligula had his whole family rounded up. Caligula had the guy killed, then his wife, and then their children one after another from oldest to youngest. With the last child, a 12 year old girl, sobbing hysterically after being forced to watch what Caligula's guards did to her family, someone in the crowd asked to spare her because she was a virgin. Caligula reportedly smiled, then ordered one of his guards to brutally rape the girl, making her an "adult", then strangle her to death. I pray we never again have any President or ruler that is his level of sadistic.

    • @ernestoA.1999
      @ernestoA.1999 Před 2 lety +42

      this stories are completely myth folks

    • @magicman3163
      @magicman3163 Před rokem +59

      @@ernestoA.1999 The mongols would nail women to their boats so the Japanese can hear their screams before they attacked the mainland I don’t think a emperor being an asshole is much of a stretch

    • @tiberiuscave4617
      @tiberiuscave4617 Před rokem +49

      Yeah no ancient source recounts that. This tale is a complete modern fantasy.

    • @100cents5
      @100cents5 Před rokem +5

      i would do this too if i haad the power lmao

    • @bcreech17
      @bcreech17 Před rokem +34

      @@100cents5 yikes.

  • @BrianFillups
    @BrianFillups Před 4 lety +76

    I wish I had Simon as a teacher when I was in school. He makes learning so fun and interesting.

  • @laynelavarra1934
    @laynelavarra1934 Před 4 lety +172

    He’s like an ancient Roman version of Ramsey Snow from
    Game of Thrones. On another note, I definitely see the inspiration for the villain of Gladiator.

    • @randomuser6175
      @randomuser6175 Před 4 lety +20

      You dont need much of inspiration to portray Commodus. He was super fucked up too so reading his life would be enough

    • @Tayl0r_
      @Tayl0r_ Před 4 lety +5

      Nero was more like Ramsey tbh.

    • @MissCaraMint
      @MissCaraMint Před 4 lety

      @Klaus Toth Arguably Commodus was worse than Caligula.

    • @MissCaraMint
      @MissCaraMint Před 4 lety

      @Klaus Toth I've actually read I Claudius. It's great, though it indulges all the worst rumours about Livia. Still she makes a great baddie doesn't she. Been meaning to watch the series for a while now. I found it on Amazon Prime recently so maybe soon. I found I Claudius originally through The History of Rome Podcast, so maybe that's a thing you might be interested in. This guy Mike Duncan goes from the very beginning and founding of Rome, all the way up to the last emperor of the Western Empire. He references his sources really well actually, and it paints this really clear narrative of how Rome changed throughout the ages. Cheers, and regards from Norway.

    • @MissCaraMint
      @MissCaraMint Před 4 lety

      @Klaus Toth Ah so you must have read all about Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers. Fascinating stuff that, I don't blame you. Cleopatra was interesting as well. She gambled on the freedom of her country and lost, but she really had no choice but to take that gamble if she wanted Egypt to remain free of Roman subjugation and perhaps even create a new golden age for Egypt. She certainly was a much better politician than Antony. I need to read more about her. Any suggestions?

  • @samanthakoval5795
    @samanthakoval5795 Před 5 lety +90

    I love that you add a little humour. I needed some, that man is as dark as they get.

  • @jeanpaulsinatra
    @jeanpaulsinatra Před 4 lety +63

    "like if the Kennedys, the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers and the Queen of England..."
    Boy howdy you just created a new conspiracy theory

    • @victoriawilson3536
      @victoriawilson3536 Před 4 lety

      isnt that already true od that group....running the globe

    • @TheMouseAvenger
      @TheMouseAvenger Před 4 lety +3

      +Victoria Wilson
      There is no Illuminati or group of evil elites. That's just a bunch of crazy conspiracy nonsense. :-)

  • @mikshinee87
    @mikshinee87 Před 3 lety +9

    John Hurt played Caligula in "I, Claudius" and it was so good. I will never forget the Venus scene.

  • @Pikazilla
    @Pikazilla Před 5 lety +113

    Claudius was found hiding behind a curtain, and they made paintings of this

    • @sugarnads
      @sugarnads Před 4 lety

      Fred Smith howwwwever, he WAS an imperial secretary with direct access to the records.

  • @VitruviusXXV
    @VitruviusXXV Před 4 lety +30

    If Caligula was Rome's worst emperor, Nero ran him a close second.

  • @argeltal9090
    @argeltal9090 Před 4 lety +7

    As someone with a passion for history, i must say your videos are well researched, easy to follow for people with little history knowledge and most importantly very interesting to watch. You just gained another subscriber.

  • @wandering-wisp
    @wandering-wisp Před 4 lety +15

    I have to say the story telling is exceptional in this one. It's lively, modern and entertaining. Keep up the good work and most importantly keep 'em coming ♡

  • @yourmaninlondoncollecting5749

    Good you put In a bit more details regarding Caligula than the typical stuff. Great job for a short Bio 🙂👍

  • @0ghma_
    @0ghma_ Před 5 lety +22

    I like how you’re splicing in some comedic bits, while not letting them overtake the informative nature of the video. Cheers from across the pond, and please keep up the good work!

    • @osco4311
      @osco4311 Před 2 lety

      Definitely better than Wendover/Half as Interesting

  • @DavidStruveDesigns
    @DavidStruveDesigns Před 2 lety +82

    I've always wondered if Caligula's "sudden" change in personality was down to brain damage from whatever happened to him, rather than this madness and behaviour always being who he was from the start just hidden out of some kind of self-preservation so early in his rule. Be it poison or perhaps even a stroke, it seems to suggest at the very least that his brain might have suffered from a lack of oxygen with brain cells dying (his complaint about constant headaches was likely a sign of this damage). Sure he had a really nasty side of him before the event, but that side clearly wasn't entirely dominant else his positive reforms before he became ill likely wouldn't have happened. Brain damage could have damaged the areas of his brain responsible for his more controlled, level and logical side, leaving that nasty side as the new dominant part of his personality. Not to mention some of the downright bizarre things he did that clearly point to a form of madness taking hold - again something traumatic brain damage is known to cause. Add to that the rumours of him being poisoned which likely reached his ears and added paranoia to the list of symptoms and you end up with exactly the person he turned out to be.
    If this is the case, then from the moment whatever took place to cause his illness onwards I would consider him more of a mentally ill victim rather than some sort of intentional evil that had just been biding its time to emerge. Sadly because the world at that time didn't seem to really recognize or care about mentally ill people, nor did it consider them "victims" - and because the only way for a Roman Emperor to be replaced was through their DEATH, he was left still in power when he really should have been removed from the throne and either locked up or sent someone quiet and remote (but cared for financially) to live out the rest of his life in exile/peace. Instead, Rome and history got ... well ... Caligula.

    • @-_YouMayFind_-
      @-_YouMayFind_- Před rokem +2

      We will never know.

    • @Jearbearjenkins
      @Jearbearjenkins Před rokem +3

      Interesting although his positive reforms likely could have been a mask to gain enough public support to be able to act out on his deprived nature. Like with Nero who did something relatively similar. He pushed the envelope too far and got a god complex. Although I believe your idea could be true too. Probably is more likely what happened

    • @DavidStruveDesigns
      @DavidStruveDesigns Před rokem

      @@Jearbearjenkins That is a possibility too, yes. There are examples of people doing "good things" simply to gain further power and a stronger hold on those around them, in order to then suddenly reverse direction and undo all the good they did before. Very much like world leaders who put their support behind social reforms that seem to benefit their country, simply to increase their odds of being democratically elected into a leadership role - only to then go and demolish the very democracy that brought them to power in the first place and turn into a tyrant dictator. Putin has done exactly this and so too did Hitler - which people tend to forget. Hitler didn't gain power by overthrowing the government of the time, he utilised democracy in the country to be fairly elected. And he won that election through promises of positive change, and supporting reforms that were actually _good_ ... only to then go dictator and tyrant on the same people who voted him into office, as well as the wider world.
      The only reason I don't tend to include Caligula in this, is _because_ of the fact he had a documented illness that ended up causing blinding headaches and a sudden switch in personality - which we know today _is_ potentially an outward symptom of something bad happening within the brain. Without these health issues attached I would 100% say he was more akin to Hitler or Putin or any other world leader who did the "ol' switcheroo" once they got in power.

  • @CptMoroni35
    @CptMoroni35 Před 4 lety +25

    “Shut up and take our throne.” Love it! 🤣

  • @Donald_Shaw
    @Donald_Shaw Před 5 lety +81

    That was excellent, Simon. Thanks so much to you and your team of researchers.

  • @JLenny
    @JLenny Před 4 lety +16

    You're a great presenter. I'm glad you have enough videos to keep me occupied at work every day

  • @jillianmolin8442
    @jillianmolin8442 Před 4 lety +1

    This is a fantastic channel. The first historical channel that provides context and is easy to follow. What a great speaker/orator you are! Thank you so much

  • @andreww.2018
    @andreww.2018 Před 4 lety +29

    Him: “Rome was like ‘shut up and take our thrown’”
    Me:....heh.... * pushes thumbs up *

  • @sandymckenna9727
    @sandymckenna9727 Před 5 lety +21

    Grandios Video! Love it. Caligulas Story is so intriguing 😁

  • @staceyj8325
    @staceyj8325 Před 5 lety +50

    I'm a new subscriber, I would like to say that you give an incredible and visual history lesson. I will be watching all the videos you have, you are very talented.

    • @davidpetersen1
      @davidpetersen1 Před 4 lety +2

      ikr.. totally agree with you.. he's very, very good. the whole package is superb.

  • @odysseusrex5908
    @odysseusrex5908 Před 4 lety +76

    I have always thought that the character of King Joffrey in Game of Thrones may have been modeled after Caligula. In looking at the statues of him in this video, it seems to me that the actor Jack Gleeson bears a considerable resemblance to him.

    • @injectedwolf914
      @injectedwolf914 Před rokem +7

      Caligua was inspired for mad king while Nero was inspired for Joeffery.

    • @odysseusrex5908
      @odysseusrex5908 Před rokem +1

      @@injectedwolf914 I don't see the resemblance between Joffrey and Nero.

    • @injectedwolf914
      @injectedwolf914 Před rokem +10

      @@odysseusrex5908 both have psychopathic symptoms and had god complex. Both of them died pretty young too. While Mad King and Caligua both had some brain diseases which changed them personally.

    • @bcreech17
      @bcreech17 Před rokem +2

      @@injectedwolf914 Obvious suspension-of-disbelief aside, we really don’t/can’t know if Caligula actually had a pathogenic illness that influenced and affected his behavior.

    • @thefirstguillotine
      @thefirstguillotine Před rokem

      TRUE ASF

  • @joshadrale4415
    @joshadrale4415 Před 4 lety +63

    Julius Caesar; "I am a badass general."
    Augustus Caesar; "Lol, hold my acquisitions"
    Tiberus; "Hold their food."
    Caligua; "Hold my horse and sister."
    Nero; "Hold my ablaze Rome and Christians." ....100 destruction

    • @themusicmaster1077
      @themusicmaster1077 Před 4 lety +5

      JOSH ADRALE What about Claudius

    • @hadbetterdays8118
      @hadbetterdays8118 Před 4 lety

      What would Ivan the terrible say

    • @LuckyDT
      @LuckyDT Před 4 lety +2

      Boy...this sure is a clever and humorous comment.

    • @shadowlynx1958
      @shadowlynx1958 Před 3 lety +3

      Why does everyone seem to be forgetting Claudius? Like, there WAS an emperor between Caligula and Nero.

  • @mariakelly5
    @mariakelly5 Před 5 lety +28

    Terrific video. If you want to see John Hurt's amazing performance as Caligula, I highly recommend the classic BBC miniseries, I, Claudius.

    • @darksideka
      @darksideka Před 4 lety

      Played a bit too much of a limp wristed sissy for me, not how i understood the depictions of the supposed Mad Emperor, Not to demean John Hurt, nor limp wristed sissy's

  • @paulmay2990
    @paulmay2990 Před 4 lety +41

    I remember watching “I Claudius” on PBS as a kid. Caligula was creepy.

    • @shadowlynx1958
      @shadowlynx1958 Před 3 lety +6

      His great grandmother Livia taught him well.

    • @mliterature
      @mliterature Před 3 lety +3

      I didn't watch I Claudius until I was an adult but I loved the drama! Caligula was the creepiest! So memorable.

    • @mikshinee87
      @mikshinee87 Před 3 lety +2

      But he made such a pretty Venus. You're all jealous.

  • @loughkb
    @loughkb Před 3 lety +3

    Sounds like that close brush with death put him in a "well, you only live once, might as well do whatever the hell I want before it's over." mood.

  • @redjirachi1
    @redjirachi1 Před 4 lety +48

    Caligula: Suggests a horse as senator as a joke, and to insult the senators
    History: Thinks Caligula was serious
    Senators: Got the joke, didn't like it, eventually kill the guy

    • @TheMouseAvenger
      @TheMouseAvenger Před 4 lety +6

      Well, given his mental state at the time, it's not necessarily an impossibility that he really WAS serious...

  • @Achillez098
    @Achillez098 Před 5 lety +60

    You sounded like you were having a lot of fun in this episode xD
    Can't say I blame you, this guy gives Joffrey Lannister a run for his money

    • @jessaguilar4747
      @jessaguilar4747 Před 5 lety +11

      Wasn’t Joffrey based on Caligula?

    • @fredbarker9201
      @fredbarker9201 Před 5 lety +7

      Jess Aguilar yeah kinda. If you want to know about the true inspiration behind Joffrey read about King Richard II of England. Lots of similarities.

    • @pyromania1018
      @pyromania1018 Před 4 lety +1

      Uh, his official surname is Baratheon.

    • @Tayl0r_
      @Tayl0r_ Před 4 lety +1

      Jackson Rushing [laughs in incest]

    • @steveolotu8540
      @steveolotu8540 Před 2 lety

      He certainly looks like Joeffrey. Probably no conincidence by the GoT casting?

  • @kali3665
    @kali3665 Před 5 lety +18

    Claudius next. Most people only know Claudius from his depiction by Sir Derek Jacobi, which is still the best, but I'm sure probably isn't too historically accurate. Thank you for Caligula!

    • @MetalMouse67
      @MetalMouse67 Před 5 lety +1

      Kali Loved that series though.

    • @Gwaithmir
      @Gwaithmir Před 4 lety

      It's too bad that Claudius' memoirs are no longer extant.

  • @markyoung01maccom
    @markyoung01maccom Před 4 lety +1

    Your podcast and CZcams channels have become my favourites. Great work, keep it up!

  • @vladtheimpaler9577
    @vladtheimpaler9577 Před 3 lety +11

    Its truly a miracle that the Empire did not go back to a republic after experiencing 3 perverse and tyrannical emperors one after another. By the time of Nero's death and subsequent year of four emperors I thought people might question the effectiveness of system that gives god-like power to a single man.

  • @petermacdonough9077
    @petermacdonough9077 Před 5 lety +10

    YES!!! Thank you for making one of Caligula!! He’s one of my favorite Emperors of all time and I really love studying about him!!! ❤️❤️❤️👑

    • @agnosticdeity4687
      @agnosticdeity4687 Před 4 lety +9

      And by favourite, you mean most interesting...
      Please tell me you mean most interesting...

  • @sevearka
    @sevearka Před 5 lety +20

    A bio about Tycho Brahe, or a followup of this doing Nero would be interesting :) Great video btw!

    • @Galaar
      @Galaar Před 5 lety

      Either of those would be great to see.

  • @jamesnichols2315
    @jamesnichols2315 Před 3 lety +3

    love you man glad you are still around happy to see you are growing too you fill most my time with this madness i love it thank you for your teachings and keep them comeing

  • @casper3105
    @casper3105 Před 4 lety +38

    was it a requirement in Ancient Rome that in order for someone to be qualified as an Emperor they must be an absolute Lunatic?

    • @victoriawilson3536
      @victoriawilson3536 Před 4 lety +6

      think its a necessity with all our world leaders now

    • @josephlavine1629
      @josephlavine1629 Před 3 lety +3

      Victoria Wilson I hate the fact that I can’t say you’re wrong

  • @Kenxclout
    @Kenxclout Před 5 lety +127

    Fun fact he banned goat jokes in Rome

    • @JohnSmith-kz8yo
      @JohnSmith-kz8yo Před 5 lety +3

      I wonder why? lol

    • @tomtom21194
      @tomtom21194 Před 5 lety +24

      Baah ewe have to be kidding

    • @catherineu5118
      @catherineu5118 Před 5 lety +7

      He was tired of people getting his goat

    • @agnosticdeity4687
      @agnosticdeity4687 Před 4 lety +2

      @@tomtom21194 Shame I can't like, and unlike at the same time ;-) …..
      Liked.

    • @thewhat531
      @thewhat531 Před 4 lety +1

      Well he wasn't known as Caligula the wall-builder, now was he...

  • @MfundoNdala
    @MfundoNdala Před 5 lety +46

    y'all are on fire with these uploads

  • @jenniferdnoseworthy2348
    @jenniferdnoseworthy2348 Před 4 lety +1

    That was totally enjoyable, thanks so much! Great speaking voice and awesome storytelling 😃 the expressive eyebrows are pretty cool too lol.

  • @faisal5367
    @faisal5367 Před rokem +3

    I'm pretty sure this caligula boi is the source of inspiration for that joffrey dude in GOT.

  • @karlomisura2207
    @karlomisura2207 Před 5 lety +35

    I think it would be cool if you did a Biographics on Josip Broz Tito, as he was an interesting figure during the time of the cold war, he also had a very interesting life before he became the leader of Yugoslavia. 11/10 would subscribe again.

  • @catystrophia9619
    @catystrophia9619 Před 5 lety +54

    Thank you for this! Caligula is such an interesting figure.

    • @josemanuelvarelapuig5064
      @josemanuelvarelapuig5064 Před 4 lety

      i have a question . is this caligula the same person as julius ceaser or another guy?

    • @catystrophia9619
      @catystrophia9619 Před 4 lety +1

      @@josemanuelvarelapuig5064 Different guy!

    • @josemanuelvarelapuig5064
      @josemanuelvarelapuig5064 Před 4 lety

      Thanks dude! I was just wondering since both are named gaius julius ceaser

    • @cheesecakelasagna
      @cheesecakelasagna Před 4 lety

      @@josemanuelvarelapuig5064 it was a common thing to name/rename leaders to past famous leaders. So yeah, reading academic texts can get very confusing.

  • @georgeporter9815
    @georgeporter9815 Před 4 lety +89

    The coloured bust of Caligula resembles Piers Morgan. Apparently assholery can cross genetic lines

  • @k10batmama
    @k10batmama Před rokem +1

    I am addicted to your shows. Please keep them coming. We love the interesting people you pick and i love the true crime or creepy ones you cover!

  • @joenapieralski7506
    @joenapieralski7506 Před 5 lety +3

    Been waiting on this one for sometime now. Good on you thanks

  • @enochsun9714
    @enochsun9714 Před 4 lety +49

    You can tell that Simon enjoyed making this one! Excellent work as always 👌

  • @misterinternational1739
    @misterinternational1739 Před 4 lety +9

    I really like how Roman first, middle and last names often rhyme

  • @TracyAllenVideos
    @TracyAllenVideos Před 3 lety

    I really enjoyed how you shared this story. Your camera is freaking awesome! I almost felt like you could come off of my TV and just be right here in my place 😆

  • @TheStrayHALOMAN
    @TheStrayHALOMAN Před 5 lety +8

    You're getting goofier as time goes on, and I love it!

  • @ohm6009
    @ohm6009 Před 5 lety +18

    Not that my opinion matters, but after watching at least 90% of your videos, I think this is Simons best one, just witty funny and accurate. Loved it 👍

  • @mifty9898
    @mifty9898 Před 4 lety +2

    I love your understatement and sarcasm. You would be a facinating instructor.

  • @rons3634
    @rons3634 Před 4 lety

    I cannot express how enjoyable the subject matter and the presentation are in these videos. Bravo!

  • @sophiebailey4891
    @sophiebailey4891 Před 5 lety +11

    Oh my gooooddddness I am so here for this!!

  • @juliecramer7768
    @juliecramer7768 Před 4 lety +10

    When you said Caligula’s idea of fun was even more terrifying than Tiberius’, I groaned.

  • @JaneDoe-vi5yc
    @JaneDoe-vi5yc Před 4 lety +5

    I love these biographies. Simon, you do a great job in your delivery. You speak at the perfect pace and you enunciate clearly. I really find it refreshing when you pepper your sentences with the odd, soft curse word. "Lame ass" this, or "He was a colossal dick," etc. All this plus education, too! You CAN have it all.

  • @petejames1326
    @petejames1326 Před 2 lety +1

    according to PLUTARCH, Tiberius called caligula "as devious as a SNAKE" when he was living with tiberius on the isle of capri.

  • @justintyree6242
    @justintyree6242 Před 5 lety +10

    Thank you Simon, nine years ago I was in a car wreck a ejected 75 feet for my car, I've had four brain surgeries, and I will graduate next semester from West Virginia Tech in history and government. But all your videos have reminded me of the memories I lost, and I agree oh, you need to do more about Roman emperors, and let people know that six six six, was designed to describe emperor Nero! That I did remember

  • @jhh1451
    @jhh1451 Před 5 lety +105

    Once read an Article about him claiming that the Trauma of living with Tiberius made him schizophrenic thats why he sometimes was good and than so randomly evil at other Times. The illness may also have worsened his conditon

    • @frank124c
      @frank124c Před 4 lety +10

      Could it be that his fever when he was sick damaged his brain?

    • @katiemaier8392
      @katiemaier8392 Před 4 lety +22

      Frank Frank Sounds more likely. I’ve never heard of an event inciting schizophrenia, I’ve only known it to be something someone is born with. I may be wrong, but I do know that schizophrenia can be worsened by traumatic events. It’s more likely that his sickness damaged his brain and further unhinged his cruel, masochistic side.

    • @DeadPixel1105
      @DeadPixel1105 Před 4 lety +8

      A person doesn't "catch" schizophrenia. It's a genetic illness that a person is born with and typically runs in the family.

    • @jhh1451
      @jhh1451 Před 4 lety +6

      @@DeadPixel1105 yea i wrote it in a Bad way. I ment that he likely was Born with the disease but it never "Broke out" until the traumatic experiences. I know of cause that just like with depression you Cant just catch it.

    • @lmao2302
      @lmao2302 Před 4 lety +3

      @@DeadPixel1105 I mean his family in general had a cruel streak. I wouldn't be surprised if it was running in the family.

  • @bkjacksontruecrimehorrorsu1944

    Very informative and actually made the history amusing to listen to. Subscribed 😊

  • @louisacosentino9543
    @louisacosentino9543 Před 4 lety

    I really enjoy these videos! Keep them coming! They're so very concise and interesting.👍

  • @metzyahrosenstein4827
    @metzyahrosenstein4827 Před 4 lety +9

    "Ya'll better get ready Neptune, we pullin up" -Caligula shortly before his death

  • @LocalHeretic-ck1kd
    @LocalHeretic-ck1kd Před 5 lety +21

    "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

  • @Ben-rz9cf
    @Ben-rz9cf Před 4 lety +26

    This seems like something that would be an amazing HBO show

    • @markabraham9233
      @markabraham9233 Před 3 lety +2

      Watch the video, about caligula ,penthouses x rated un cut version ,the movie flopped but it is epic porn,almost gives you,the idea,what it was really like.

    • @mikshinee87
      @mikshinee87 Před 3 lety

      Well it was an amazing BBC show.

    • @user-nu9vc4be1e
      @user-nu9vc4be1e Před 3 lety

      @@markabraham9233 what do you mean by penthouse ?

    • @shadowthehedgehog3113
      @shadowthehedgehog3113 Před 2 lety

      Theres a Netflix documentary/drama about the Roman Empire and season 3 is all about Caligula. Although they take some liberties with the story-tbf, there is a ALOT about Caligula's life that could be embellished so why not.

  • @cathalkelly8796
    @cathalkelly8796 Před 4 lety

    This channel is super addictive. From James Joyce to Ed Gein, Diogenes to Elizabeth Bathory. You never know who'll you'll stumble upon. However I gotta say the Roman Emperors are by far my favourite. You couldn't make this stuff up! Brilliant stuff!

  • @romelnegut2005
    @romelnegut2005 Před 5 lety +7

    That "short discussion" between Caligula and those senators will absolutely brilliant and I fricking love it.

  • @marcguimaraes
    @marcguimaraes Před 5 lety +7

    Glad you are back to BC and AD. 👍👍

    • @TheDoctor1225
      @TheDoctor1225 Před 5 lety

      I didn't see this before I posted my statement up top, but I'm on board with you on that one.

  • @safetyman4967
    @safetyman4967 Před 4 lety +23

    "Rasputin, bring hither the the skindiving with the bottom cut out and unleash the rampant wilderbeast!" -Caligula (Red Dwarf season 4 finale Meltdown)

    • @blemishednicely8402
      @blemishednicely8402 Před 4 lety

      "Silence, scum! Rasputin, bring forth the bucket of soapy frogs & lower his trousers!!!"

  • @jemgonzalez
    @jemgonzalez Před rokem

    Wow! A wonderful presentation. Great details, compellng speakng, and an excellent production.

  • @garrettallen7427
    @garrettallen7427 Před 5 lety +8

    Can you guys do Alexis deTocqueville ? He was a famous enlightenment philosopher who wrote “Democracy in America”, which is a book based on the questions of “why has America not had a revolution yet, while France has had several, despite both having enlightenment ideals based in there revolutions”. It is said that in his book he predicted a great power struggle between America and the Russians a hundred years before the Cold War even happened in his book. He is also not really well known in France, his own homeland.

  • @todddougherty9492
    @todddougherty9492 Před 5 lety +10

    F’in outstanding!!!!!!! That was award winning presentation, in my humble opinion. 👍👍

    • @catherineu5118
      @catherineu5118 Před 5 lety

      I agree, however I am uncomfortable with the level of baldness in my face

  • @rogersledz6793
    @rogersledz6793 Před rokem

    Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me get through the pandemic!