All surviving sources, except Pliny the Elder, characterize Caligula as insane. However it is not known whether they are speaking figuratively or literally. Additionally, given Caligula's unpopularity among the surviving sources, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. Recent sources are divided in attempting to ascribe a medical reason for Caligula's behavior, citing as possibilities encephalitis, epilepsy or meningitis. The question of whether or not Caligula was insane remains unanswered.
Philo of Alexandria, Josephus and Seneca also state Caligula was insane, but describe this madness as a personality trait that came through experience.[42][129][130] Seneca states that Caligula became arrogant, angry and insulting once becoming emperor and uses his personality flaws as examples his readers can learn from.[131] According to Josephus, power made Caligula incredibly conceited and led him to think he was a god.[42] Philo of Alexandria reports that Caligula became ruthless after nearly dying of his illness in 39.[132] Juvenal reports he was given a magic potion that drove him insane.
Suetonius said that Caligula suffered from "falling sickness," or Epilepsy, when he was young.[133] Modern historians have theorized that Caligula lived with a daily fear of seizures.[134] Despite swimming being a part of imperial education, Caligula could not swim.[135] Epileptics are encouraged not to swim because light reflecting off water can induce seizures.[136] Additionally, Caligula reportedly talked to the full moon.[69] Epilepsy was also long associated with the moon.[137]
Some modern historians think that Caligula suffered from hyperthyroidism.[138] This diagnosis is mainly attributed to Caligula's irritability and his "stare" as described by Pliny the Elder.
Veronica Rodriguez on 12 Nov 09Josephus was an jewish aristocratt. and he wrote two books. He was also an expiriencer of the eruption in Pompii. Well he was an eye wittness.
Alberto Torres on 15 Nov 09he fought in the jewish revolution. he was captured as a war prisoner. he worte a diary
laverne roache on 16 Nov 09HE WAS A GREAT PERSON TO WRITE THINGS.
Michelle Barrueto on 17 Nov 09Josephus was the man who was the aristocrat for Constantine. He was a jew. He had experiance. He also is the one who told Constantine to be cristian... i believe so?
emily caba on 18 Nov 09josephus was a aristocrat
chris corporan on 18 Nov 09josephus was an aristocrat
Gabriela Morales on 20 Nov 09Yeah Josephus was an aristocrat and a Jew but he was not the one to tell Constantine to be christian. That would be Dia.Dia was a Jewish scribe that convinced Constantine to become christian. :)
yes against romans
josephus speeked greese and lots of people did back then because lets say an roman person go to egypt the roman might not know what the egytian speek so the roman talks to him in greek because the average egyptianspekk greek too
it's true because although you may not no one countries languge they might know another one that you know as well
Josephus (AD 37 - c. 100),[2] also known as Yosef Ben Matityahu (Joseph, son of Matthias) and, after he became a Roman citizen, as Titus Flavius Josephus,[3] was a first-century Jewish historian and apologist of priestly and royal ancestry who survived and recorded the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.[4] His works give an important insight into first-century Judaism.
josephus was a fighter of the jewish side.
Josephus was a aristocrat
