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Caligula for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: kə'lɪɡjələ

What does Caligula really mean?

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Hey there! So, "Caligula" is a word that refers to the nickname of the Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. He was given the name "Caligula" because when he was a little boy, he used to wear tiny soldier's boots, called "caligae", which means little boots in Latin. As a result, people started calling him "Caligula", which means "little boots" or "booties" in Latin.

But, as a Roman Emperor, "Caligula" is also used to describe someone who is really tyrannical and cruel. When we say someone is being a "Caligula", we mean that they are behaving in a really awful and unhinged way, just like the Roman Emperor Caligula did.

So, in short, "Caligula" can mean the little boots that the Roman Emperor used to wear, or it can also mean a tyrannical and cruel ruler. It's a word that draws upon history to convey some pretty strong and not so nice characteristics. But when we use it today, we're usually talking about the behavior of someone in a really negative way, like they're acting really out of control and harsh. Cool, right?

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Miller on 2023-11-13 19:55:59

Caligula In a sentece

Learn how to use Caligula inside a sentece

  • Caligula was a Roman emperor who ruled from 37 AD to 41 AD.
  • The movie 'Caligula' is about the life of the Roman emperor and his controversial reign.
  • In ancient Rome, Caligula was known for his tyrannical and unpredictable behavior.
  • Many historians debate whether the stories about Caligula's cruelty and madness are true or exaggerated.
  • Caligula's reign is often studied as an example of how absolute power can corrupt a ruler.

Caligula Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Caligula Instances

Words that the original word is an example of.