2007-03-02 12:30:15 · 6 answers · asked by hezpod 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
the Praetorian Guard led by Cassius Chaerea
2007-03-02 12:38:50 · answer #1 · answered by sunil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On January 24, 41, Chaerea and other guardsmen accosted Caligula while he was addressing an acting troupe of young men during a series of games and dramatics held for the Divine Augustus. Chaerea requested the watchword from Caligula; Josephus records that it was another slight against Chaerea, though Suetonius states that it was simply "Jupiter". Suetonius records two versions; in the first, Chaerea struck Caligula from behind while he was addressing the boys, and in the second, Chaerea responded to the watchword with "So be it!" and attacked. After the first blow, Caligula cried for help, prompting the other assassins to strike as well; Suetonius records a total of 30 wounds, some through the genitals, and Josephus credits the Praetorian Aquila with having delivered the killing blow. Another assassin sought out and stabbed Caligula's wife Caesonia and killed their infant daughter, Julia Drusilla, by smashing her head against a wall. By the time Caligula's loyal German guard responded, the Emperor was already dead. The German guard, stricken with grief and rage, responded with a rampaging attack on the assassins, conspirators, innocent senators and bystanders alike.
2007-03-02 20:39:47 · answer #2 · answered by Kalistrat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Caligula's actions as Emperor were described as being especially harsh to the Senate, the nobility and the equestrian order. According to Josephus, these actions led to at least three failed conspiracies against Caligula that were thwarted by the Praetorian Guard. Eventually, a successful murder was planned by officers within the Praetorian Guard itself led by Cassius Chaerea. The plot is described as having been planned by three men, but many in the Senate, army and equestrian order were said to have been informed of it.
According to Josephus, Chaerea had political motivations for the assassination. Suetonius, on the other hand, claims Caligula called Chaerea derogatory names.
According to Suetonius and Josephus, Caligula's praetorian prefect Cassius Chaerea had received a wound, presumably to his groin, in his service to the previous Emperors.Caligula had often mocked Chaerea for this wound, setting the watchword for the day as "Priapus" (a Roman god of fertility typically depicted with a large erection) or "Venus" whenever Chaerea was on duty. According to Josephus, the reason for the choice of watchword and its association with Chaerea's injury had become "famous over the city".
On January 24, 41, Chaerea and other guardsmen accosted Caligula while he was addressing an acting troupe of young men during a series of games and dramatics held for the Divine Augustus. Chaerea requested the watchword from Caligula; Josephus records that it was another slight against Chaerea, though Suetonius states that it was simply "Jupiter". Suetonius records two versions; in the first, Chaerea struck Caligula from behind while he was addressing the boys, and in the second, Chaerea responded to the watchword with "So be it!" and attacked. After the first blow, Caligula cried for help, prompting the other assassins to strike as well; Suetonius records a total of 30 wounds, some through the genitals, and Josephus credits the Praetorian Aquila with having delivered the killing blow. Another assassin sought out and stabbed Caligula's wife Caesonia and killed their infant daughter, Julia Drusilla, by smashing her head against a wall. By the time Caligula's loyal German guard responded, the Emperor was already dead. The German guard, stricken with grief and rage, responded with a rampaging attack on the assassins, conspirators, innocent senators and bystanders alike.
The Senate attempted to use Caligula's death as an opportunity to restore the Republic. Chaerea attempted to convince the military to support the Senate. The military, though, remained loyal to the office of the Emperor. The grieving Roman people assembled and demanded that Caligula's murderers be brought to justice, while Caligula's uncle Claudius was spirited out of the city to a nearby Praetorian camp.Claudius became Emperor after procuring the support of the Praetorian guard and ordered the execution of Chaerea and any other known conspirators involved in the death of Caligula.
2007-03-02 20:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by deejay220989 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Caligula was killed by his six German bodyguards.
2007-03-02 20:34:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He was assasinated by several of his guards.
2007-03-02 20:39:12 · answer #5 · answered by wickedly_sinful_one 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
technically, insanity killed him, but his bodyguards plotted to kill him.
2007-03-03 13:23:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋