Caligula, a Study in Tyranny Trivia Quiz

Answer: To bring his mother's ashes to Rome for burial

Caligula's mother, Agrippina the Elder, had been banished to the isle of Pandataria by Tiberius. She died there, and when Caligula became emperor, he reverently brought her ashes back to Rome for burial in the Mausoleum of Augustus. It would hardly be the place for a pleasure excursion, nor to build a temple.

Answer: Macro

Macro became Praetorian Prefect after Sejanus was deposed by Tiberius. He and Caligula became close associates and Macro supported Caligula's claim to the throne. Cassius Chaerea comes along later in the reign of Caligula, so does Cornelius Sabinus. Unfortunately, the ingratitude of tyrants came into play with Caligula, and he put Macro to death along with his entire family.

Answer: Claudius

Caligula brought his reclusive uncle, Claudius, out of retirement and made him his joint consul. This was the first important political post that Claudius occupied. Both Augustus and Tiberius thought that Claudius was unfit for high office. Of course, there were many Romans unfit for high office, but they occupied these offices nevertheless. Lucius Vitellius was already a proconsul, so he did not serve in a consulship at this time. Gaetulicus was judged a traitor by Caligula and ordered to commit suicide. Petronius was governor of Syria a bit later.

Answer: Alexandria

The worst pogrom against the Jews occurred in Alexandria. When Caligula decided that he was a god, many Alexandrian Greeks were only too happy to worship him and they also attempted to place small statues in synagogues. The Jews, rightly despising idols, protested and terrible violence ensued in which thousands were killed or homeless.

Answer: Yes

Caligula was descended from both men, they were each his great grandfather on both sides of the family. Caligula's mother was Agrippina the Elder, daughter of Julia, blood daughter of Augustus. On Caligula's father's side, Germanicus was the son of Antonia the Minor, who in turn was the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia (sister of Augustus).

Answer: Alexandria

Alexandria had the largest population of Jews outside of Jerusalem. Athens and Antioch, although large cities, were not as large as Rome or Alexandria. It is estimated that there may have been 500,000 Jews residing in Alexandria. Jews had long been residents of Rome, but their numbers were not this high.

Answer: He created a brothel in the imperial palace

Honorable, virtuous Roman patricians were particularly horrified when Caligula created a brothel in the imperial palace and forced patrician (!) ladies to come and sell their favors. This turned many Senators against Caligula. The other answers, although they would have created consternation among many Senate members, were not as atrocious as dishonoring honorable wives.

Answer: None of these

None of these. Caligula barely took notice of Christians and Christianity, and no Christians were martyred during his reign. Caligula's real contest was with the Jews. Peter and Paul were put to death during the reign of Nero, and John, according to tradition, died a natural death, although according to tradition, he was exiled to the isle of Patmos during the reign of Diocletian.

Answer: The Temple of Castor and Pollux

Caligula built a ramp to the Temple of Castor and Pollux. It would have been more difficult to reach the other structures. No Roman emperor would have wanted to connect his palace with the Forum, which was a market place and "city center" in ancient Rome.

Answer: The Augustan Games

The conspirators elected to assassinate Caligula during the Augustan Games late in January AD 41. Caligula was planning to travel out of Rome and they wanted to finish the deed while he was still in the city. The Augustan Games, which commemorated the Emperor Augustus, lasted for several days and consisted of plays, poetry readings, and dancing.