History has shown that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Roman emperor Gaius "Caligula" represents a perfect example of this truism. Caligula's abuse of power resulted in his own death and the lives of many others.
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born August 31st, 12 A.D. at Antium1 as the third of six children of Germanicus and Agrippina. Germanicus was the adopted grandson of Augustus and was adopted by his paternal uncle Tiberius2. He commanded many campaigns for Tiberius and was respected and adored by the people for his lenient and benevolent ways. Caligula had anything but a normal childhood. He lived in an atmosphere of paranoia, suspicion, and murder. As a child, Gaius accompanied his father on military campaigns where he acquired the nickname "Caligula". …
