Cilicia. Mallos. Caligula AD 37-41.
Bronze Æ

18 mm, 3,45 g

Laureate head left / ΜΑΛΛΩΤΩΝ, Nike standing left, holding rudder and palm branch; in right field, [ME EP].

Nearly Very Fine

RPC I, 4018; GRMK 213, no. 1.

Caligula, whose full name was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 37 to 41. He was born in AD 12 in Antium and was the third emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula initially ascended to the throne with widespread support and high hopes, as he was the son of the popular and respected general Germanicus. However, his early reign was marked by benevolent policies, including freeing political prisoners and ending some unpopular taxes. Unfortunately, Caligula's mental state deteriorated rapidly, leading to increasingly erratic and tyrannical behavior. He displayed signs of megalomania, claiming to be a god and demanding excessive worship. He engaged in extravagant spending, leading to financial strain on the empire. His rule was characterized by cruelty and persecution, with executions and banishments of perceived enemies. He had a tumultuous relationship with the Roman Senate and the ruling class. Caligula's behavior became increasingly unpredictable, and in AD 41, he was assassinated by a group of conspirators, including members of the Praetorian Guard and the Senate. His death brought an end to his tumultuous and controversial reign. Caligula's reign remains infamous in history, known for his excesses, cruelty, and abuse of power. His short and turbulent rule serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked authority and the potential consequences of an unstable leader in a position of great power.