Caligula's Effect On The Economic State Of Rome

The military campaigns of the Caesars made Rome one of the largest empires of the ancient world. Suetonius conveys through his writings that being a good military leader and a good Caesar were synonymous. Augustus, who Suetonius thought an excellent leader, reunited the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire ( 51) and greatly expanded Romes territory (53). Augustus “showed not only skill as a commander, but courage as a soldier” in the eyes of his contemporaries (47). On the other hand, both Caligula and Nero, considered poor leaders by Suetonius, had very limited military success and aspirations. Only once did Caligula initiate a military exploit, and it was rife with his madness. His campaign into Germany was on a whim and all he accomplished was receiving the surrender of a

An Emperor that greatly impacted the Roman economy was Nero, who ruled from 54 A.D. to 68 A.D. When complaints arose that the poor were overly taxed, Nero attempted to repeal all indirect taxes. The Senate convinced him that this action would bankrupt the public treasury. In result, Nero cut taxes from 4.5% to 2.5% (Bluejayblog) Government taxes were also ordered to become public. In order to lower the cost of food imports, Nero declared that merchant ships were tax-exempt. After Rome burned in 64, Nero enacted a public relief effort to restore Rome. For a few construction projects, he created the large Domus Aurea and attempted to have a canal dug at the Isthmus of Corinth. However, these projects had cost vast amounts of money which quickly drained the economy. Eventually during Nero’s reign, he had devalued Roman Currency for the first time in Roman History. Weight reduced of the denarius from 1/84 per Roman pound to 1/96 per Roman pound (3.90 grams to 3.4 grams) (Comparette). Weight of the aureus dropped from

For a long period of time, Rome seemed like an unstoppable empire. It conquered the majority of the land surrounding it, including Greece, Turkey, Iraq, and many of its other neighboring countries. It seemed as though Rome would conquer the entire world, as it was the center of it, until it began to decline in 476 C.E. The very aspects that made it so successful were the ones that caused its collapse. Various political, religious, and economic reasons caused its downfall. The fact that the entire economy of Rome collapsed and money became worthless was a major reason for the empire’s collapse. In addition, the loss of a common religion and lack of efficient ruling in relation to its vast territory affected the empire. The Roman

Two of the more memorable emperors to the Romans were Augustus Caesar (27 BC to 14 AD), and Caligula (37 AD to 41 AD). Although only having ruled the empire by a separation of 23 years and belonging to the same family (through marriage and adoption), their empires couldn’t have been more different. It is possible to determine the impact of an emperor’s rule based on their many vices and virtues, as well as the choices that they make in relation to them. The author Suetonius expressed in his writings the many vices and virtues that put into perspective the kind of leaders that these emperors appeared as to their polis. As we explore the concept of vices and virtues, as well as what kind of ideals these two rulers represented, we will begin to be presented with a clearer picture of what an ideal emperor would have looked like. A vice can be described as an immoral or wicked behavior; while a virtue can be described as a behavior showing high moral standards. Suetonius and the Roman people had a high interpretation of the concept of virtue and vice, as well as their role in the ruler’s life.

Many anthropologists and historians have speculated about the different causes and effects of the fall of the Roman Empire. Some have even stated that Rome did not fall but instead, was merely transformed. However, there were many causes that did end this prodigious empire. Many seemingly small decisions made by powerful emperors over the course of just over a century lead to its destruction. In this paper it will be established that the Roman emperors, in an effort to save their political power, made adjustments to warfare/treaty practices and made political changes which over time lead to the inevitable collapse of the realm, this caused a drastic regression in the living standards of the Roman citizens, implying that the Empire did indeed collapse and not transform.

My fellow senators, if I may begin by bringing attention to the issue at hand. We speak of Catiline and his crimes, and what should be done to defend Rome from his devious plots of insurrection. I have heard several of his followers speak before me, and they seem to disregard the accusations against the very man that leads them. His proposals are not the matter we are currently discussing. How can you speak of highly of reforms without voicing defense of the man who proposed them? He, who has been accused of attempted assassination upon our presiding magistrate? Even worse, he denies his involvement in the face of his failure. Unlike the brave Gaius Mucius Scaevola, Catiline will not show honor by thrusting his hand into the fire and facing these accusations as a true Roman should. Instead, he proves himself to be a coward by hiding in claims that the assassination was never attempted; or, at least, not by him.

Their violent natures could not be contained to act just upon the Senate. Both men were cruel to equestrian class and to the general people of the empire. Caligula had some equestrians “disfigured with marks of

Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was the son of a Roman aristocrat whose family had regularly held the highest offices of state for the past century. Tiberius achieved much in his life and was a man of high distinction in political circles. He was a man with a prominent background- coming from very powerful families. It seemed also, that many had high expectations of him, and his potential was not seen to its full extent. To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion. Today I will be critically analysing and assessing the significance of three key areas which have been the crux of historical debate for centuries. Today I will be touching on Tiberius' family background, education, and early career to 134BC, the aims

The Roman Empire was known for being the most powerful nation in the world for over 2,000 years. Otherwise known as the eternal city, Rome quickly became the largest empire after being a city-state. However, for several reasons and over a long period of time, the empire began a period of decline. At the end of this period was obviously the fall of the Roman Empire. There are many aspects that contributed to the failure of the Empire, and different people argue that different reasons were most important to the collapse of this superpower. Social, economical, and political reasons are held responsible for the crash of the empire. The real cause of the crash was due to military over spending, inflation, and unemployment throughout the

Julius Caesar’s development into a professional politician, and his eventual demise, was instrumental in the fall of the Republic, because of the Senate’s dislike of his populist base, proposals, and personal ambition. Likewise Caesar was a very conniving politician, “Caesar's very first enactment after becoming consul was, that the proceedings, both of the senate and of the people should day by day be compiled and published.” As consul, he was able to appear as a beneficiary to the people, yet deep down was in it for himself. In his Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, Caesar never takes fault, but deflects blame to his soldiers or second-in-commands for their campaign

Caligula’s universal condemnation has been seen throughout the writings of ancient historians over time, due to his evil representation and ‘monster’ like behaviour. The impact Caligula had over Rome is not remembered for the better, for his legacy shows the impact that he left behind was the horror and twisted ways of his reign. However he did have little impact that remains beneficial to Rome, for the first six months of his reign was nothing compared to how he left it. Firstly Caligula was considered a welcome breath of fresh air when he took to the throne. In the first six months of his reign people celebrated him, many believed he would take in his father’s footsteps. Secondly after the first six months of his reign Caligula fell seriously

Julius Caesar also was not enthousiastic about beind the flamen dialis, but he could not say no to the job. Why not? It was because he was not old enough to go against the decision. Thus, he became the flamen dialis of Rome. His marriage plans with Cossutia were canceled because she was not worthy of a flamen dialis and he was engaged to the daughter of Cinna, Cornelia, who he learned to love eventually.

Caligula was a man, a monster, and a legend that nearly destroyed Rome in his rule, yet built some of its most beautiful monuments. The life of the man was an interested yet twisted story of a once noble man descending into insanity

Rome’s financial problems however did not come onto them suddenly. In fact, the emperors of the Rome were slowly but surely leading their land to its own demise. Long and expensive military campaigns

Mainly the provinces collected the taxes and provide the fiscal treasury, provide daily consumer goods and also the pottery from Germany to the Roman government. In addition to this, the invasion of the Dacia helped to accumulate the gold and silver in the Roman government. On the other hand, the Roman government build the road and harbors, provide public assistance program for the children of the poor families, etc. However, the huge division of money was spent by the Roman government in the public works, entertainment, and the armed forces. We can say that it was like give and take situation, the taxes, gold, and silver was collected by the Roman government from the provinces and invest some amount for the development of the provinces to build the buildings, run the public assistance program, and so