# Little Boot (DD-215)

> Caligula, born Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus in AD 12, was Rome's third emperor. His nickname, meaning 'little boot', came from the miniature soldier's boots he wore as a child in his father's army camps. He became emperor in AD 37 and was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard in January AD 41. Ancient writers such as Suetonius and Cassius Dio describe extravagant spending, cruelty and claims to divinity; modern historians note that these sources were hostile to him. According to Suetonius, he planned to make his horse Incitatus a consul. The footage shows illustrations of Caligula and Rome, with the presenter.

- Department: People (also History)
- First published: 2024-04-22
- Last updated: 2024-04-22
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/little-boot/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-215-F01**: His nickname came from the boots he wore as a child. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Little boot))_
- **DD-215-F02**: He became emperor in AD 37. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (AD 37))_

## Write-up

Caligula's nickname means 'little boot' in Latin. He ruled Rome for less than four years before he was assassinated.

1. **Little boot**: His nickname came from the boots he wore as a child.
2. **AD 37**: He became emperor in AD 37.
3. **Assassination**: He was killed by Praetorian Guards in AD 41.
4. **Hostile sources**: Ancient accounts of him are hostile.
5. **Incitatus**: Suetonius says he planned to make his horse consul.

## Related case files

- [The Beast of Rome (DD-214)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-beast-of-rome/): I linked another Julio-Claudian emperor
- [Charlemagne (DD-217)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/charlemagne/): I linked the ruler who revived the Roman imperial title

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says Caligula made his horse a senator. The ancient sources say he planned to make his horse Incitatus a consul, and there is no record that he actually did.

## Video: Little Boot: Caligula's Nickname Means 'Little Boot' in Latin

- Duration: 39.7 s · Published: 2024-04-22
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C6E-tk9pdn3.mp4

### Transcript

Caligula's reign is one of the most infamous in Roman history. Ascending to power in AD 37, Caligula is often remembered for his eccentric and erratic behavior, which shocked and bewildered the Roman elite. From extravagant spending to declaring himself a god, his actions redefined excess in the Roman Empire. DID YOU KNOW? Caligula was so outlandish, in fact, that he once made his horse a senator, showcasing his peculiar sense of humor, or perhaps his disdain for the Senate. His reign, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on Roman history, illustrating both the extremes of imperial power, and the vulnerabilities of absolute authority. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What does 'Caligula' mean?**  
A: From his childhood boots. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Little boot) · Wikipedia: Caligula)_

**Q: When did he become emperor?**  
A: After Tiberius. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (AD 37) · Wikipedia: Caligula)_

**Q: How did his reign end?**  
A: In AD 41. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Assassination) · Wikipedia: Caligula)_

**Q: Why are accounts of him debated?**  
A: Suetonius and Cassius Dio. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Hostile sources) · Wikipedia: Caligula)_

**Q: What was his horse called?**  
A: Planned consul. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Incitatus) · Wikipedia: Incitatus)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Caligula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula)
- [Wikipedia: Incitatus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitatus)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Little Boot." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-215, last updated Apr 22, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/little-boot/