26.  Such was the merited death of Calig’ula, in the 29th year of his age, after a short reign of not four years.  His character may be summed up in the words of Sen’eca; namely, “Nature seemed to have brought him forth, to show what mischief could be effected by the greatest vices supported by the greatest authority.”

Questions for Examination.

1.  Of what enormities was Caligula guilty?

2.  How did he heighten his cruelties?

3.  On what did he chiefly value himself?

4.  What monstrous wish did he express?

5.  What was the consequence of such atrocities?

6.  What preparations did he make?

7.  How did his disposition display itself on this occasion?

8.  How did he sometimes travel?

9.  What exploits did he perform?

10.  Did he not make a show of some great enterprise?

11.  How did it end?

12.  Of what farther follies was he guilty?

13.  By whom was he assassinated, and by what provocations was his fate hastened?

14.  Were others made privy to the design?

15.  Relate this incident.

16.  Did Quintilia confirm the accusation?

17.  What rendered this resolution more remarkable?

18.  What was the result?

19.  Was the crisis much longer deferred?

20.  Was this resolution put in practice?

21.  Was Caligula at all apprehensive of what was in agitation?

22.  Was the secret inviolably kept?

23.  How was the design nearly frustrated?

24.  What induced Caligula to alter his intention?

25.  Relate the manner of his death.

26.  Repeat the summary of his character as given by Seneca.

SECTION VI.

U.C. 794.—­A.D. 42.

                                 Old as I am,
  And withered as you see these war-worn limbs,
  Trust me, they shall support the mightiest load
  Injustice dares impose.—­Mason’s Caractacus.

1.  As soon as the death of Calig’ula was made public it produced the greatest confusion.  The conspirators, who only aimed at destroying a tyrant, without attending to the appointment of a successor, had all sought safety by retiring to private places. 2.  Some soldiers happening to wander about the palace, discovered Clau’dius, Calig’ula’s uncle, lurking in a secret place where he had hid himself.  Of this person, who had hitherto been despised for his imbecility, they resolved to make an emperor:  and accordingly they carried him upon their shoulders to the camp, where they proclaimed him at a time when he expected nothing but death.

3.  Clau’dius was now fifty years old.  The complicated diseases of his infancy had, in some measure, affected all the faculties of his mind as well as body, and he seemed, both in public and domestic life, incapable of conducting himself with propriety.[21]