Comparing Caligula And Nero

Both Caligula and Nero where similar emperors because the initial periods of their reign where fair and just as they introduced sweeping reforms to benefit the people of the Roman empire. Caligula came into power during relative political stability, and was "loved by the soldiers from the time he was a little boy. He made many friends amongst the troops and even went with them on long marches;” he was also incredibly popular because he was of Julio-Claudio blood. Nero came into power due to intrigues of his mother, Agrippina the Younger, who married Claudius and manipulated him into adopting Caligula and thus making him emperor. Nero came into power in a politically unstable period, while Caligula came into power in one of the most peaceful

Nero, much like Caligula also constructed a lavish palace for himself and his family. After Rome’s notable ‘great fire’ it can be established that Nero spent most of the empire’s money on rebuilding public buildings. He spent so much money on excesses that he nearly bankrupt the Roman treasury. He had to rely on confiscating private property to fund his activities. On the other hand, it has was noted by Bradly, “He immediately returned home and helped pay for reconstruction out of his own pocket”. That said, he was still an incompetent ruler. According to ancient historian Tacitus, “[Nero] executed wealthy aristocrats [and] confiscated their property and coinage to fund his excessive parties and lifestyle”. He also increased taxes from all the roman people which lead to famine in some regions of the empire. It is often said that Roman emperor Nero played the fiddle while the city of Rome burned, but in reality “he did all the could to save the city, including opening his personal palace gardens to the common people and paying from his own pocket to mitigate the situation”. Nevertheless, Nero regularly neglected his duties as emperor. He did not visit the armies allowing them to spin out of control. According to modern historian Ken Webb this was the main factor that ultimately led to Nero’s downfall; as the key to holding power in Rome

Nero ruled over Rome for 15 years and only after the first 5 years did he begin to display lunacy. Nero seen as the patron of Arts (in Rome) and throughout his reign it was noted that he “enjoyed singing and performing to some of his close friends, relatives and associates.” He was feared for his ‘violent and unpredictable fits of rage” in which he had killed his won mother, first wife and many wealthy aristocrats. Modern historian Ken Webb and ancient historian Tacitus agree that “with the mounting pressure he faced due to the financial situation, his behavior become even more erratic.” Nero started to do seemingly outrageous things to attempt to please the senate and the citizens of Rome, such as burning Christians publicly in the Roman Coliseum. He also began performing in public, an act that was seen to fit for an emperor. After one of these performances his second wife, Poppaea mentioned a mistake he had made, and this comment made him so angry that in his fit of rage he kicked her to death. After the first period of Caligula’s reign, he became very ill (this is what we determine to be the end of the first period of Caligula’s reign). Upon his recovery from the mystery illness he stared behaving outrageously. Ancient historian Suetonius stated that “Caligula came under the impression that he was a god. He dressed