Born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus in A.D. 12, Caligula rose to power in A.D. 37 as the third Roman emperor. Nicknamed “Caligula,” meaning “little boots,” after the miniature soldier ...

One of these was led by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. Then Augustus got a lucky break. In 46 BC, Caesar won the civil war and was named dictator of Rome. To secure his position, he needed an heir.

Tiberius sent his young, charismatic nephew, Germanicus, to sort the situation out. Sure enough, Germanicus hit the spot, rallying the troops before leading them to victory against the Germanic ...

In 37 A.D., the Roman Senate annuls Tiberius’ will and proclaimed Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, aka Caligula (Little Boots), emperor.

Powell, author of Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Germanicus, and many other works in Roman ... later the Emperor Augustus (63 BC-AD 14), the adopted son of Julius Caesar, while ...