Gaius accession and view of the sources

• Gaius is depicted by all accounts as a megalomaniacal tyrant, something that is complicated by the fact that Tacitus account of him is lost to us.
• Suetonius notes that 'thus far we have spoken of him as a prince, what remains to be said of him, bespeaks him rather than a monster than a man'.
• It is conspired that his brief but serious illness damaged his mental state.
• He manages the transfer of power well despite his shortcomings in political experience.
• He courts the favour of the people through his familiar connections and holding a series of games and festivals.
• Denarius celebrating Germanicus - he was keen to emphasise his Julian roots and his popular father Germanicus. This can be seen in the coin minted on his accension.
• His early actions are a clear attempt to gain the popularity of the plebs and his troops.
• His generosity was easily funded by the money that Tiberius had left in the Imperial treasury.
• The early period is used by the sources to show how quickly he became 'mad'.
• Dio:

  • Gaius is useless
  • not running the government the way he should
  • honours for Germanicus, Augustus and sisters
  • no honours for Tiberius
• Josephus:

  • hates Caligula
  • says Gaius hates everyone
  • mean to senate
• Seneca:

  • shame of the human race
  • disgrace to the empire
  • mind was ill balanced