• PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    20
    ·
    9 months ago

    Explanation: The tyrannical Roman Emperor Caligula was not known as Caligula during his reign. ‘Caligula’ means ‘Little boots’ or ‘Little sandals’, from the military footwear of Roman legionaries - when Caligula was a young boy, his father, Germanicus, took him with him on campaigns, dressed up in a miniature soldier’s outfit. The troops loved him, and took to calling him Caligula - a nickname which he did not appreciate when he was older!

      • PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        9 months ago

        Honestly, anyone anymore knows him only as Caligula, and his actual name doesn’t have any distinguishing features (Gaius is extremely common, Caesar and Augustus are borderline titles even at this early point, and Germanicus is more associated with his father).