Head of Caligula

myminifactory

This sculpture captures Caligula, Roman emperor from AD 37 to AD 41, with uncanny precision. As the son of Germanicus, a renowned Roman general, and Agrippina the Elder, granddaughter of Augustus, Caligula was born into Rome's ruling elite, specifically the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Two years after his birth, Tiberius, uncle and adoptive father to Germanicus, seized power from Augustus as emperor of Rome in AD 14. Initially known as Gaius Caesar, he earned the nickname "Caligula" from soldiers during his father's campaigns in Germania. After Germanicus' death in Antioch in AD 19, Agrippina returned to Rome with her six children, where she became embroiled in a bitter feud with Tiberius. This conflict ultimately led to the downfall of her family, leaving Caligula as its sole male survivor. Unfazed by the treacherous intrigues, Caligula accepted an invitation to join the emperor on Capri in AD 31, where Tiberius had retreated five years prior. Following Tiberius' death, Caligula succeeded his adoptive grandfather as emperor in AD 37.