Caligula opened with popular reforms—amnesties, tax relief, transparency—but after a severe illness turned to theatrical provocations, fiscal exactions, and ritual self‑cult, alienating elites and Praetorians and prompting his assassination: coercive strategy over madness.
From Augustus to Constantine, the Praetorian Guard evolved from imperial protectors into kingmakers—policing Rome and wielding military force to decide succession.
Think you know ancient Rome? Think again. Discover the truth behind 7 popular Roman history myths—from thumbs-down gladiator signals and vomitoriums to Nero’s “fiddle” and lead poisoning. Uncover what really happened and why understanding the real Roman world matters more than ever.
