Gaius Sources Flashcards
Which prominent author do we not have the work of for Gaius’ reign?
Tacitus
Which authors do we have for Gaius’ reign?
Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Josephus and Seneca
Suetonius quote:
How the Roman people reacted to Gaius’ accession
“Gaius’ accession seemed to the Roman people… like the answer to their prayers”
Suetonius quote:
How Gaius’ accession was different to Augustus/Tiberius’
“The Senate… immediately and unanimously conferred absolute power upon him”
Suetonius quote:
How Gaius used entertainment and gifts to secure the plebs’ support
“He staged a great number of different theatrical shows… and would scatter vouchers among the audience”
Suetonius:
Why Gaius built a bridge of boats across the Gulf of Baiae
Because an astrologer had said Gaius was more likely to ride a horse across the sea and remain dry than become emperor
Suetonius quote:
How Gaius changed
“So much for Gaius the Emperor; the rest of history must deal with Gaius the Monster”
Suetonius quote:
Gaius’ attitude towards his own divinity
“He insisted on being treated as a god”
Suetonius:
What Gaius did to statues of Greek gods
He brought famous statues from Greece and replaced their heads with his
Suetonius:
Examples of Gaius’ cruelty
- Burned a writer alive for a double entendre
- Made parents attend their sons’ executions
- Had people sawn in half for criticising his shows
- Fed prisoners to the animals used in his shows
- Had people tortured whilst he was eating
Suetonius quote:
How Gaius felt about the people’s hatred of him
“Let them hate me, so long as they fear me”
Suetonius:
Gaius spending Tiberius’ money
Spent 2.7 billion of Tiberius’ sesterces in under a year
Suetonius quote:
How many people opposed Gaius
“One or two plots… were discoverd; others were still maturing” when he was killed
Suetonius:
Who killed Gaius
Two tribunes of the Praetorian Guard, Cassius Chaerea and Gaius Sabinus
Dio quote:
How Gaius changed
“At first he seemed very democratic… but in time he became very monarchical”
Dio:
How quickly Gaius assumed power
He took all of Augustus’ honours in one day except Father of the Fatherland but took that too soon after
Dio:
How Gaius treated his family at first
Made his grandmother Antonia the Augusta, included his sisters in all prayers and oaths made to him and brought his mother and brothers to the Mausoleum of Augustus
Dio quote:
How Gaius later treated him family
“He forced his grandmother to commit suicide… after taking them all as sexual partners, he banished two of [his sisters]… the third had already died”
Dio quote:
How Gaius’ attitude towards religion changed
“He forbade the setting up of any images of him… he eventually ordered that temples and sacrifices be granted to him as if to a god”
Dio:
Examples of Gaius’ contradictory behaviour
- He condemed Tiberius then praised him and punished people for doing either
- He stopped the treason trials then brought them back
- He was annoyed by flatterers but would punish those who spoke their mind but vice versa on other occasions
Dio quote:
Gaius being controlled by his impulses
“Was controlled by charioteers and gladiators, and was the slave of actors”
Dio:
Positive things Gaius did
- Published public funds
- Helped put out a fire and provided financial aid
- Expanded the Equestrain order
Dio quote:
Who supported Gaius
“He pleased the rabble… but he distressed the sensible people”
Dio quote:
How the Senate reacted to the return of the treason trials
“Made many speeched praising Gaius… they were most grateful to him for not having put them to death”
