Caligula: The corruption of power

Few figures from history remain as infamous or notorious as Caligula. Suetonius and Dio ensured that the most salacious events of his short life were recorded. Barrett’s account, first published in 1989, examines these colourful sources in the light of archaeological and numismatic evidence and asks whether the emperor deserves his reputation. He concludes that, although other emperors were often little better, Caligula’s actions speak for themselves. This is supported by the catalogue of Caligula’s victims that concludes this shrewd rconstruction of a life that continues to fascinate.