Documentary on Caligula

[warsawabruce]

I found a decent documentary on Caligula.
It can kill some time while waiting for RS2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqciM...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozU5...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3mo...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ceG...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKK1_...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJY8Z...eature=related

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Some might call him a bit eccentric

[Medieval American]

I like this! +rep!

Caligula was 'barking mad' and totally lacked empathy for other people, including family members. Although he was mad, he was completely serious and spectacular at creating military stragety...

Thats the history I love!

[chaplain118]

Hmm, a lot of what this documentary presents seems to be very much in line with Tinto Brass' Caligula, especially in their depiction of Tiberius and their "explanation" of what happened to Caligula.

Caligula, contrary to what most people think, was a very popular ruler with the people. It was the Senate and the upper class that really hated him. It so happened that the Senate and the upper class were the ones that recorded the histories of the time. Factor in the issue that the only record of these earlier emperors came from Suetonius and Tacitus, who produced most of their work during the reign of Trajan and Hadrian, and you have on your hands a very unreliable source of information. Much of the opinions that were left to modern day regarding these early rulers were the opinions of the Senate and rarely of the people. By the time Trajan and Hadrian were in power, the Julio-Claudian dynasty had long since died and their successors became vocal in not only promoting their own reign but simultaneously denouncing these dynastic rulers to legitimize their own reigns. If you'll notice, the opinions of the historians were extremely negative to these earlier emperors. Had Augustus not published his "Res Gestae" in the middle of the forum romanum, there's a good chance that even HE would've been defamed by the annals of history.

Granted, Caligula was a nut toward the end of his short reign, but it's nowhere near as insane as the History channel depicts. Their mentioning of some of the "acts of evil" by Caligula and Tiberius were ripped straight from the Tinto Brass movie.

[ray243]

Hmm, a lot of what this documentary presents seems to be very much in line with Tinto Brass' Caligula, especially in their depiction of Tiberius and their "explanation" of what happened to Caligula.

Caligula, contrary to what most people think, was a very popular ruler with the people. It was the Senate and the upper class that really hated him. It so happened that the Senate and the upper class were the ones that recorded the histories of the time. Factor in the issue that the only record of these earlier emperors came from Suetonius and Tacitus, who produced most of their work during the reign of Trajan and Hadrian, and you have on your hands a very unreliable source of information. Much of the opinions that were left to modern day regarding these early rulers were the opinions of the Senate and rarely of the people. By the time Trajan and Hadrian were in power, the Julio-Claudian dynasty had long since died and their successors became vocal in not only promoting their own reign but simultaneously denouncing these dynastic rulers to legitimize their own reigns. If you'll notice, the opinions of the historians were extremely negative to these earlier emperors. Had Augustus not published his "Res Gestae" in the middle of the forum romanum, there's a good chance that even HE would've been defamed by the annals of history.

Granted, Caligula was a nut toward the end of his short reign, but it's nowhere near as insane as the History channel depicts. Their mentioning of some of the "acts of evil" by Caligula and Tiberius were ripped straight from the Tinto Brass movie.

Quite true. Which is why I usually avoid relying on ancient sources unless I am rather familiar with the author.

If anything, it is better to read a book over watching a documentary.

[Dog Fart]

Caligua is so misunderstood.
A true honest Roman he was!!!!

[Scipio praeditus]

You should see the number they did on J.C.
They did at least go so far as to say that he became a god after his death, I'll give them that.
But then they refrained from stating exactly what god he remains till this day (namely the one found in every church and mosque the world over). Although who can blame them, hardly anyone likes handling that hot iron nowadays.
He reached his goal, that much is for sure...

[ray243]

Caligua is so misunderstood.
A true honest Roman he was!!!!

What do you mean by a true Roman?

[Kallides]

What do you mean by a true Roman?

OH you know the usual! Killing people, drinking wine, having o*gy^s. That kind of stuff

[Chicken]

you missed stuffing their face with food out....

[ray243]

OH you know the usual! Killing people, drinking wine, having o*gy^s. That kind of stuff

...

[Kallides]

...

lol. Sorry could not help myself. lol

[Kallides]

OH! right my bad.

[Chicken]

hehe, no probs

[Arbitrary Crusader]

Let them hate us so long as they fear us!

[Chicken]

AH!, but I do NOT fear you........

or do I?