Gaius Key Quotes

Question 1

“He claimed to be a god, and not merely that, but even greater than all the gods.”

Answer 1

Cassius Dio, Roman History (59.3.5)
Cassius Dio criticizes Caligula for his megalomania, noting his audacious claims to divinity. This reflects the emperor’s increasingly erratic behavior, including his demands for divine honors and the construction of statues of himself, emphasising how far his delusions of grandeur went.

Question 2

“So much for the emperor; the rest of this history must deal with the monster.”

Answer 2

Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars (Caligula, 22)
Suetonius vividly portrays Caligula as a ruler who degenerated into a tyrannical and cruel figure. This quote captures the historian’s harsh judgment of Caligula, suggesting that his reign was marked by a descent into madness and excess, rather than responsible leadership.

Question 3

“He seemed to think that he had complete and unchallengeable power to do anything, that no one had any rights against him.”

Answer 3

Seneca, On Anger (3.19.2)
Seneca’s philosophical critique of Caligula focuses on his despotic nature and lack of regard for law or moral boundaries. This quote captures the emperor’s perception of absolute power, highlighting the arbitrary and oppressive manner in which he ruled