Though the reign of Gaius 'Caligula' Caesar began with much promise, some early actions foretold of more uncommon behavior to come. Soon after his ascension Caligula showed signs of future 'madness' and Suetonius gives evidence even through a certainly embellished story:
'he (Caligula) devised a novel and unheard of kind of pageant; for he bridged the gap between Baiae and the mole at Puteoli, a distance of about thirty-six hundred paces, by bringing together merchant ships from all sides and anchoring them in a double line, after which a mound of earth was heaped upon them and fashioned in the manner of the Appian Way. Over this bridge he rode back and forth for two successive days. attended by the entire praetorian guard and a company of his friends in Gallic chariots.'
According to Suetonius the entire reason for this grand display was that an astrologer once said, "Gaius (Caligula) had no more chance of becoming emperor than of riding about over the gulf of Baiae with horses."
Within 6 months of his rise to the highest power in Rome, Caligula fell very ill. The entire empire fretted over his well being, but the cause for concern was to prove to be misplaced. When Caligula recovered he returned as a changed man. The ancient sources blame the illness, which has been suggested in possible relation to epilepsy (perhaps passed down from Caesar) or even a genetic disorder from intensive familial inbreeding. However, while Caligula certainly could've been 'deranged' it's far more likely that his later behavior was a symptom of his environment than an actual disorder. He was simply the first 'emperor' to understand the absoluteness of his rule and the freedom to do with it as he pleased. A child reared in a world of violence, corruption and intrigue, one could hardly expect much more from the grown man.
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