Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Episode Summary: "History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Caligula"
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Kate Lister
Guest: Alexander Meddings as Emperor Caligula
Introduction
In this episode of Betwixt The Sheets, host Kate Lister delves into the infamous reign of Emperor Caligula, exploring whether his notorious reputation as a "fuckboy" is historically justified or a product of biased sources. Joined by Roman historian Alexander Meddings, Kate navigates through Caligula's ascent to power, his personal life, and the scandalous actions that have cemented his legacy in history.
Caligula's Origin and Rise to Power
Caligula, originally named Gaius Julius Caesar, was Rome’s third emperor, reigning from 37 to 41 AD. He hailed from the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the same lineage as Augustus and Nero. His upbringing was tumultuous; as the third son of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, he was often mocked with the nickname "Caligula," meaning "little boots," given by the legions during his father's campaigns in Germany ([08:07] Caligula: “...that's how he gets his nickname, Caligula.”).
After the untimely death of his father Germanicus in 19 AD, likely orchestrated by Emperor Tiberius, Rome plunged into public mourning. This period saw extreme reactions, including "abandoning babies to die" and temporary truces with enemies out of sheer grief ([09:28] Kate Lister: “...abandoning babies to die and enemies going, look, all right, we feel quite sad about this too. That seems extreme.”).
Caligula was later adopted and raised by Tiberius on Capri, where he witnessed the ruthless nature of imperial politics. This environment forced him to suppress his true feelings and adapt to survive, fostering a hardened personality ([13:19] Caligula: “...when he has no family left apart from his grandmother, Caligula is summoned to Capri...”).
Early Reign: Popularity and Initial Reforms
Upon Tiberius' death in 37 AD, Caligula was swiftly proclaimed emperor at the age of 25 and received a hero's welcome in Rome. His early reign was marked by popular reforms:
- Lowering Taxes: Caligula eased the financial burdens on citizens, gaining their favor.
- Public Accounts: He made government spending transparent to the populace.
- Revival of Arts: Reintroducing literature and hosting lavish games and spectacles ([17:19] Caligula: “...his reign starts really well... he rides through the streets of Rome in a chariot...”).
These actions initially painted him as a benevolent and charismatic leader, beloved by the masses.
Caligula's Personal Life and Scandals
Despite his early successes, Caligula's personal life quickly overshadowed his political achievements. His relationships and sexual exploits became the focal point of historical accounts:
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Marriages: Caligula had four wives, often marrying and divorcing swiftly. His second wife, Livia Orestilla, was abducted from her wedding and divorced the next day when she refused to love him. Similarly, his subsequent marriages were marked by superficiality and manipulation ([35:37] Kate Lister: "Wow. So two for two, two for two.").
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Incestuous Relationships: While historical evidence suggests Caligula had a close bond with his sister Drusilla, accusations of incest with all his sisters are likely fabrications by later historians like Suetonius, aiming to tarnish his legacy ([24:24] Caligula: “...the incest accusation... I think we can be very confident of that.”).
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Sexual Exploits: Caligula was known for his uninhibited sexual behavior, engaging with both men and women. Notable incidents include publicly kissing actors and engaging in acts that defied Roman social norms ([49:36] Kate Lister: “What a lust shit.”).
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Public Humiliations: Caligula often used sexual humiliation as a tool against the Senate, such as forcing senators’ wives to sleep with him, thereby asserting his dominance and mocking their status ([29:09] Caligula: “...shag their wives in front of them.”).
Conflict with the Senate and Assertion of Power
Caligula's relationship with the Senate was tumultuous and marked by contempt. He frequently mocked the Senate, including the infamous episode where he made his horse a senator, symbolizing his disdain for their competence ([28:27] Caligula: “...giving his horse the trappings of a consul...”).
His authoritarian rule extended beyond ridicule:
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Arbitrary Decisions: Caligula would make arbitrary decisions, such as closing the granaries, causing famine ([27:48] Caligula: “...arbitrarily closing the granaries.”).
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Public Executions: He ordered the execution of individuals who dared to criticize him, including punishing a drama composer over a minor joke ([27:48] Kate Lister: “That's petty to an extreme degree.”).
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Divine Status: Caligula demanded to be worshipped as a living god, further blurring the lines between imperial authority and divine right ([32:35] Caligula: “...the emperor especially because the emperor's a God.”).
Downfall and Assassination
Caligula's reign, though initially promising, became increasingly despotic and erratic. His oppressive actions and blatant abuse of power led to widespread discontent among the elite and the Praetorian Guard.
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Conspiracies: Multiple assassination attempts were made against him, often led by disgruntled members of his own guard. His constant mockery and humiliation of the Praetorian Guard, especially Cassius Caerrea, fueled resentment ([43:25] Caligula: “That's the story we've got.”).
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Assassination: In January 41 AD, during a performance at a temporary theater near the Palatine Hill, Caligula was assassinated by Cassius Caerrea and fellow guardsmen. The gruesome details of his death—ranging from jaw mutilation to genital mutilation and even cannibalism, as recounted by sources like Suetonius—underscore the intense loathing he inspired ([45:55] Caligula: “It's massive overkill.”).
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Aftermath: Following his assassination, Caligula's wife was killed, and his young daughter was brutally murdered to eliminate any chance of succession. The Senate briefly considered restoring the Republic but ultimately endorsed Claudius, Caligula's uncle, as the next emperor ([47:36] Kate Lister: “...you can see how that is...”).
Historical Interpretation and Legacy
Kate Lister and Alexander Meddings discuss the reliability of historical sources, particularly Suetonius, who wrote under Emperor Hadrian and had personal vendettas. They argue that many of the scandalous stories about Caligula may be exaggerated or fabricated to delegitimize his reign and the Julio-Claudian line.
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Suetonius' Bias: As a contemporary of earlier emperors, Suetonius may have had motivations to portray Caligula negatively to align with later imperial narratives ([25:04] Caligula: “...they would be the ones writing the history.”).
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Caligula's Reputation: While sexual excess undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his legacy, the extent of his alleged atrocities remains debated among historians. It's posited that even without his scandalous personal life, his authoritarian and erratic rule might have led to his downfall ([48:42] Caligula: “...shagging anybody with a pulse...”).
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Comparison with Other Emperors: Interestingly, some of Caligula's actions are mirrored in other emperors like Augustus, suggesting that extreme behaviors were not uncommon as tools of political maneuvering ([50:40] Caligula: “...talking about trade deals.”).
Conclusion
Emperor Caligula remains one of history's most notorious figures, often depicted as the epitome of lustful and despotic leadership. This episode of Betwixt The Sheets challenges listeners to scrutinize the sources of his infamy, emphasizing the blend of political necessity and personal excess that defined his short-lived but impactful reign. While his "fuckboy" persona is undoubtedly a significant aspect of his legacy, the complexities of his rule suggest a figure shaped as much by the political intrigues of Rome as by his personal desires.
Notable Quotes:
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Caligula on His Nickname: “[...] that's how he gets his nickname, Caligula.” ([08:07])
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Kate on Public Mourning: “[...] abandoning babies to die and enemies going, look, all right, we feel quite sad about this too. That seems extreme.” ([09:28])
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Caligula on Senate: “...shag their wives in front of them.” ([29:09])
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Caligula on Horse as Senator: “...giving his horse the trappings of a consul...” ([28:27])
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Caligula on Assassination: “It's massive overkill.” ([46:17])
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Kate on Suetonius' Account: “Calm down, Suetonius.” ([47:27])
Further Episodes Teased:
- My Most Favorite Royal Mistress, Nell Gwyn
- An Examination of What It Meant to Be Ugly Throughout History
For more information or to share your thoughts, email us@betwixthistoryhit.com.
This episode was edited by Tom Delaghi, produced by Sophie G., and the senior producer was Charlotte Long. Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound.