Caligula's real name was Gaius. He earned the nickname, "Caligula" ( "Little Boots") at age 2, when he appeared in front of the army in a miniature version of the full military outfit including army boots, or "caliga". He hated his nickname, and during his reign he punished anyone whom he caught using it. Caligula was intelligent and began his reign capably, yet demonstrated no lasting desire to govern in the role of an “Augustan” administrator. He began adopting mannerisms and showy preogatives of an eastern style monarch. He treat he power as a child might a toy and showed an oppressive face to the Senate. He once joked that his favorite horse be elected Consul for the year. One of Caligula's undoing however was his behavior towards the Praetorian Guard. On January 24 AD 41 Caligula was assainated by a man whom he had tormented for many years with his jokes, his wife and son unfortunately suffered the same common fate. Another bad emperor who brought about his own downfall.

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