After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Episode: Who Was Ancient Rome’s Darkest Emperor?

Host(s): Maddie Pelling & Anthony Delaney
Guest: Alex Meddings, Rome-based historian and travel writer
Release Date: September 22, 2025

Overview

This episode journeys into the shadowy legacy of Caligula, exploring whether he truly earns the label of "Rome's darkest emperor." Hosts Maddie and Anthony are joined by historian Alex Meddings to dissect the truth and myth of Caligula’s rule, infamous for tyrannical excess, cruelty, public spectacle, and madness. Via rich storytelling, debate, and notable ancient sources, the episode separates lurid rumor from historical fact, revealing a complex, chilling portrait of absolute power and its consequences for the Roman world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Caligula’s Traumatic Origins

• Early Life and Family Context
  • Born in 12 CE to Rome’s “golden couple” Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, Caligula’s formative years are marked by privilege and showmanship (paraded in legionary gear, earning the nickname “Caligula”—‘little boots’). (05:22)
  • His father’s death (possibly by poisoning, but also possibly disease) triggers a narrative of persecution that shapes Caligula’s psyche.
    • Quote (Alex): “Caligula very much believes that he was raised in a family that was heavily persecuted by the state, by the Emperor at the head.” (06:33)
  • The fall of his family through imprisonment and exile creates deep paranoia and mistrust toward the imperial system. (08:45)

Ascent to Power

• From House Arrest to Emperor
  • After years of close supervision on Capri under Emperor Tiberius, Caligula is groomed for power by the Praetorian Prefect, Macro, who exploits Caligula's bloodline connections to Augustus. (09:25)
  • Macro’s ambitions and manipulations are discussed; his possible role in Tiberius’ death is touched upon, but remains historically unproven. (11:01)
• Strength of Bloodlines
  • Macro’s support hinges on Caligula’s maternal connection to Augustus, a vital legitimacy factor in early imperial Rome. (12:59)

Caligula’s Initial Popularity

• The Golden Prince
  • On ascending the throne in 37 CE, Caligula initially charms the Roman public and Senate—canceling treason trials, granting amnesties, putting on grand spectacles, and posing as a humble son of the Senate. (14:16)
  • Quote (Alex): “He’s engaging in this double speak … the Emperor pretends not to be the emperor, but he pretends to be the first among equals … when in reality they don’t [have power].” (14:16)
• Public Image and Charisma
  • Ancient depictions of Caligula as gawky, pale, and intense are discussed—with Alex noting these are likely colored by later sources and political agendas. (18:59)
  • Maddie humorously admits: “This very tall and extremely pale version is like… exactly the kind of person I would have fancied when I was, like, 16.” (19:12)
  • Charisma and bloodline, rather than personal beauty, cement his status early on. (20:02)

Descent into Darkness

• Turning Point: Illness, Paranoia, and Betrayal
  • After a severe illness, Caligula’s regime turns violent; he eliminates rivals and perceived threats, including Macro and his young co-ruler Gemellus. (22:16)
    • Quote (Alex): “When Macro is killed, his restraining influence is removed and then the only people he has to turn to are his sisters.” (24:08)
  • Close (possibly scandalous) relationships with his sisters are discussed, with Alex debunking the infamous allegations of incest as likely political slander. (24:44)
• Caligula’s Perceived Divinity and Theatrics
  • He is accused of setting up his own image as divine, placing his statue in temples (notably in Jerusalem, not Rome) and dressing as gods—acts more shocking for their theatricality than true religious hubris. (27:03)
  • Cross-dressing, shocking the elite, and elaborate displays are highlighted as elements of his satirical, cynical “humor.” (28:00)

The Shells & "Madness": Military Campaigns and Public Spectacle

• The Infamous “Conquest” of the Sea
  • The infamous anecdote of Caligula ordering troops to collect seashells on the French coast—presented as either evidence of madness, a complicated joke, or possible handling of a threatened military mutiny. (29:37)
• Manipulation of the Senate & Psychological Torture
  • Caligula subverts the political charade, directly ridiculing the Senate’s impotence and inflicting psychological games:
    • Quote (Caligula via Alex): “I don’t care if you hate me as long as you fear me.” (32:18)
    • Quote (Alex): “He’ll have them [senators] bought, their underarmed guard, and then he’ll make them sit on a wooden bench in the dark, waiting for their throats to be cut. Only instead of that happening, Caligula will appear dressed up in performance dress… And he’ll perform a dance... It’s just messing with them.” (34:14)

Downfall and Assassination

• The End Comes Swiftly
  • Caligula’s reign, marked by mounting conspiracies and elite hatred, ends after only four years.
  • He is killed by Praetorian Prefect Cassius Chaerea and other conspirators in 41 CE, after a string of humiliations and insults, notably to Chaerea’s masculinity. (37:14)
    • Quote (Alex): “You would think with the reign of Caligula that the list of senators who was killed would be ... long… It's actually quite short. But those who were killed…were [truly] involved in conspiracy, or Caligula just suspects them.” (37:38)
    • Colorful retellings of the assassination mythos, including garbled details of his body’s supposed mutilation and public reaction: “Assassins suffer from the same social embarrassment.” (40:31)
  • Notably, the Roman “mob” protests his killing, showing he retained popular support among the plebeians. (41:00)

Aftermath & Longer-Term Legacy

• The Praetorian Kingmakers
  • Chaos follows his death; the Senate’s attempts to restore the Republic collapse. The Praetorian Guard swiftly installs Caligula’s uncle, Claudius, as Emperor, setting a precedent for military dominance over Roman succession. (43:43)
    • Quote (Alex): “We need a paymaster. We’re not disbanding, we’re on a stonking salary, we have great benefits and we need an emperor. So that’s going to be you.” (43:43)
• Comparison to Nero
  • The episode briefly contrasts Caligula with Nero, Rome’s other “dark emperor,” who surpasses even Caligula in family murders, performances, and persecution of Christians. (45:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caligula’s childhood and war camp nickname:
  • “His parents… are very much the kind of Potenbecks of the age, only with more military heft… Paraded in front of all the soldiers… [his] boots… are called caligulas. So this is where he gets the nickname.” — Alex (05:22)
• On the Senate’s fake humility:
  • “He marches into the Senate House and he says, fathers… I promise to let you guide and govern me. So he’s engaging in this doublespeak… the Senate really hold the power, when in reality they don’t.” — Alex (14:16)
• On psychological cruelty:
  • “Caligula did not need reasons to be cruel, only whims. And Rome watched in silence. If they were appalled, it only strengthened his resolve. ‘Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.’” — Anthony (02:26)
• On sources and myth:
  • “This is what Suetonius, I think, imagined in his more kind of fervent dreams… On the contrary, I think we have pretty good evidence it didn’t happen.” — Alex (26:03)
• On his theatrical death:
  • “The Praetorian Prefect is… pulling back the curtain… Crumpled under the weight of this enormously elaborate costume… is Caligula. He’s on the floor, he’s crumpled, he’s dead…” — Maddie (41:43)
• On power dynamics:
  • “There is always this idea that there is a head… more often than not there is this group of people just below that who are manipulating that, who are shaping that. In this particular case, that’s the Praetorian Guard.” — Anthony (44:57)
• On plebeian support:
  • “The people, interestingly, are quite angry about this [Caligula’s death], and they protested the games and then they take to the Roman Forum to say, what’s going on?” — Alex (41:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:26] – Anthony’s chilling scene-setting of Caligula’s cruelty and reign of terror
• [05:22] – Caligula’s childhood, family, and the origin of his nickname
• [09:25] – Ascent to house arrest, manipulation by Macro
• [12:59] – Macro’s motives and bloodline politics
• [14:16] – Caligula’s initial popularity and relationship with the Senate
• [18:59] – Physical depictions and charisma
• [22:16] – Turn to violence after illness, elimination of rivals
• [27:03] – Claims of divinity, cross-dressing, and performative acts
• [29:37] – The “seashells” episode and military context
• [32:18] – Direct confrontation with the Senate and psychological torture
• [37:14] – The assassination conspiracy and the comical demise of Caligula
• [41:00] – Public reaction, aftermath, and Praetorian Guard’s kingmaking
• [45:50] – Comparison with Nero and closing reflections on Rome’s darkest rulers

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation expertly balances dark, occasionally grisly history with wry humor, skepticism, and warmth. Maddie and Anthony keep things lively with asides and banter, while Alex offers both dramatic stories and scholarly caution about source reliability. The tone is irreverent yet always sharp and informative, ideal for exploring the myths and realities of ancient scandal.

For Further Exploration

• Suggested Further Topics: The reign of Nero, other notorious emperors, the myth-making of Suetonius and Roman political propaganda.
• Contact: Audience encouraged to email afterdark@historyhit.com with episode suggestions.

Summary by History Hit Podcast Summarizer — capturing the intrigue, horror, and enduring fascination of ancient Rome's most infamous emperor.