Caligula

Name: Caligula
Brand: Unknown
SKU: 9780520287594
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A Biography

By Aloys Winterling

Summary

Caligula by Aloys Winterling delves into the life of one of Rome's most notorious emperors, examining the complexities and controversies surrounding him. Winterling offers a re-evaluation of Caligula's reign, portraying him as more cunning than mad, while exploring the political dynamics and personal challenges he faced. The biography aims to uncover the truth behind Caligula's infamous reputation by analysing historical sources and perspectives.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$47⁹⁹

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Caligula

$47⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by Roman history and the intricate workings of imperial power. The author offers a fresh perspective on a notorious emperor, blending research with an engaging narrative to explore the complexities of his rule. It's ideal for those interested in historical biographies that challenge conventional wisdom.

Caligula

The infamous emperor Caligula ruled Rome as a tyrant who ultimately became a monster. An exceptionally smart and cruelly witty man, Caligula made his contemporaries worship him as a god. He drank pearls dissolved in vinegar and ate food covered in gold leaf. This book deals with his life and work.

Description

The infamous emperor Caligula ruled Rome from A.D. 37 to 41 as a tyrant who ultimately became a monster. An exceptionally smart and cruelly witty man, Caligula made his contemporaries worship him as a god. He drank pearls dissolved in vinegar and ate food covered in gold leaf. He forced men and women of high rank to have sex with him, turned part of his palace into a brothel, and committed incest with his sisters. He wanted to make his horse a consul. Torture and executions were the order of the day. Both modern and ancient interpretations have concluded from this alleged evidence that Caligula was insane. But was he?

This biography tells a different story of the well-known emperor. In a deft account written for a general audience, Aloys Winterling opens a new perspective on the man and his times. Basing Caligula on a thorough new assessment of the ancient sources, he sets the emperor's story into the context of the political system and the changing relations between the senate and the emperor during Caligula's time and finds a new rationality explaining his notorious brutality.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Caligula by Aloys Winterling is reviewed as an innovative and persuasive biography that seeks to reassess the notorious Roman emperor's reputation. Reviewers note that the book provides a thoughtful exploration of Caligula's sanity, offering a compelling depiction of his reign as not a product of madness but rather a complex interplay with Roman politics and society. The portrayal of Caligula is both accessible and engaging, with an emphasis on his times and challenges, avoiding simple revisionist narratives while presenting fresh interpretations.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520287594

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 September 2015

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 6 b-w photographs, 1 line illustration

Contributors:

Translated by Deborah Lucas Schneider
Translated by Glenn W. Most
Translated by Paul Psoinos
Translated by Deborah Lucas Schneider
Translated by Deborah Lucas Schneider

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 272g

Pages: 240

Collections

Aloys Winterling Ancient & Classical History Biography & Memoir Education & Reference History & Military Non-Fiction Political Biographies Politics & Current Affairs

About the Author

Aloys Winterling holds a chair for Ancient History at Humboldt-University Berlin. He is the author of Aula Caesaris and Politics and Society in Imperial Rome, among other books.