# Caligula — Dialogues character guide > Caligula in Dialogues by Seneca. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Gaius Caesar **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Who they are Roman emperor, known for his cruelty and erratic behavior. ## Relationships ### [Rufus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/rufus) _friendship_ Caligula and Rufus share a close bond, with Rufus often acting as a confidant and supporter. ### [Drusus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/drusus) _family_ Caligula and Drusus are brothers, their relationship marked by rivalry and familial tension. ### [Asinius Pollio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/asinius_pollio) _professional_ Asinius Pollio serves as a historian and advisor to Caligula, offering counsel and critique. ### [Augustus Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/augustus_caesar) _family_ Augustus Caesar is Caligula's great-grandfather, a revered ancestor whose legacy looms over Caligula. ### [Lucius Cinna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/lucius_cinna) _rivalry_ Caligula and Lucius Cinna are political rivals, with Cinna plotting against Caligula's rule. ### [Zeno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/zeno) _psychological_ Caligula is fascinated by Zeno's Stoic philosophy, often engaging him in intense debates to test his own beliefs. ### [Pompey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/pompey) _rivalry_ Caligula and Pompey are historical rivals, with Caligula often comparing himself unfavorably to Pompey's military glory. ### [Philip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/philip) _psychological_ Caligula is obsessed with Philip of Macedon, seeing him as a model of ruthless power and conquest. ### [Brutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/brutus) _rivalry_ Brutus and Caligula are ideological enemies, with Brutus representing republican virtue against Caligula's tyranny. ### [Jupiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/jupiter) _psychological_ Caligula claims to be Jupiter incarnate, a delusional obsession that drives his tyrannical behavior. ### [Julius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/julius_caesar) _family_ Caligula is a descendant of Julius Caesar, whom he idolizes and seeks to surpass in power. ### [Zeno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/zeno) _psychological_ Caligula is fascinated by Zeno's Stoic philosophy, often engaging him in intense debates to test his own beliefs. ## In the story ### [On the False Greatness of Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned for his mad challenge to Jupiter during a thunderstorm, exemplifying anger's false grandeur. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiii) Commemended for burning letters addressed to Pompey to avoid knowing who opposed him, demonstrating merciful restraint and preferring to put anger out of his power. ### [Chapter XXXIII: On the Pretense of Forgiveness and the Burden of Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxiii) Offended by the appearance of Pastor's son, he orders the son's execution and then forces the father to dine with him, testing his composure. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xviii) Flogged and tortured senators and knights for amusement, showing monstrous cruelty without judicial cause. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xix) Described as a monster who beat senators with rods, tortured them with engines, executed men at night, and silenced their dying cries by stuffing sponges or rags into their mouths, then killed their fathers to 'free them from sorrow.' ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxi) Destroyed a beautiful villa at Herculaneum because his mother was once imprisoned there, making it notorious. ### [On the True Measure of Wealth and the Folly of Luxury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/x) Cited as an example of unlimited vice combined with unlimited power, having dined at a cost of ten million sesterces, a sum derived from the tribute of three provinces. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the emperor during whose reign the loss occurred, highlighting the political context. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/vii) Referenced as the emperor to whom Marcia owes gratitude and service; his tireless work for the state is contrasted with personal grief. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as the late sovereign whose frenzy caused suffering, in contrast to the current emperor's mercy. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv) Grandson of Augustus, lost his brother Lucius and bore both mental and physical afflictions with piety and fortitude. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvii) Criticized for his disgraceful mourning of his sister Drusilla, including gambling and erratic behavior. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xviii) Recalled for his reckless rule and the near-famine caused by his actions. ### [On the Shortness of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as the emperor who relieved Turannius of his duties, prompting the old man's dramatic mourning. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the host who opened Caesar's house to Pompeius, leading to Pompeius's downfall. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiv) The tyrant who ordered Julius Kanus's execution; Seneca compares him to Phalaris and notes his cruel reliability in carrying out death sentences. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xviii) Depicted as a cruel and insulting emperor whose mockery of others, including Asiaticus Valerius and Chaerea, ultimately led to his assassination. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi) Referenced as the Caesar whose friend saved a man from proscription, illustrating the arrogance of the preserver. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xii) Spares Pompeius Pennus but humiliates him by offering his left foot to be kissed, displaying arrogance and trampling on liberty. ### [On Receiving Benefits from the Unworthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as the tyrant who put Julius Graecinus to death for being a better man than suited a tyrant. ### [Book IV: The Intrinsic Value of Benefits and Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-iv) Referred to as Caius Caesar, the most bloodthirsty of mankind, whose rule is justified by the merits of his father Germanicus and earlier ancestors. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxi) Cited as a bloodthirsty ruler whose empire was given in honor of his ancestors, including Germanicus. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi) Offers Demetrius two hundred thousand sesterces, attempting to honor or corrupt him. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in notes on the bridge at Baiae and as 'Gaius Caesar' in the context of executioner's hook. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/caligula - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters