Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was called Caligula 'little boots' because he wore small army boots when with his father, Germanicus, and the army. More below.
Public Domain
Bust of Caligula from the Getty Villa Museum in Malibu, California.
Known as "Caligula," Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born August 31, A.D. 12, died A.D. 41, and ruled as emperor A.D. 37-41. Caligula was the son of Augustus' adopted grandson Germanicus and his wife Agrippina, who was Augustus' granddaughter. When Tiberius died, on March 16, A.D. 37, his will named Caligula and his cousin Tiberius Gemellus heirs. Caligula had the will voided and became sole emperor. Initially he was very generous and popular, but that quickly changed. He was cruel, indulged in sexual aberrations that offended Rome, and was considered insane. The Praetorian Guard had him killed on January 24, A.D. 41.