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Gaius - Revision Booklet
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A revision booklet, detailing the reign of Gaius, including: his accession, his relationship to the Senate, his relationship to the plebeian class, and his religious behaviour.
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GaiusRevision Worksheet
Josephus
× He was a contemporary author, who once visited Gaius.
However, Josephus was mostly writing during the Flavian
dynasty, and he was encouraged to be as critical of the
Julio-Claudian era as possible, in order to make a
favourable comparison.
× Josephus was occasionally hostile to Rome, due to his
prevalent belief in Judaism.
Opinion on Gaius:
× Gaius was antipathic toward the Jewish community;
consequently, Josephus is critical of his claim to divinity,
perceiving him as mad, sacrilegious, and offensive.
× However, Josephus does also praise him. Following his
death, he is credited with being “an outstanding public
speaker,” with a “profound understanding of Greek, as
well as his native Latin,” and “natural talent.” Josephus
also mentioned that he managed to “[achieve] great
distinction among his contemporaries.
Seneca the Younger
× He was another contemporary author, writing around 55
to 59 AD, whilst in exile.
Opinion on Gaius:
× Seneca was exceedingly critical of Gaius. It could be
argued that he was attempting to gain favour with
Claudius, and reintroduce himself to Roman society.
× He famously attempted to conclude the vicious nature
that Gaius enacted toward the Roman people, claiming
that Gaius wished “the whole Roman people had one
single neck.”
Suetonius
× He was born after this period, during the Flavian dynasty. However, his position as a secretary, under both Trajan
and Hadrian, would have granted him access to information.
× Suetonius enjoyed scandal: the downfall of Gaius was a perfect opportunity for him to exaggerate the truth.
Opinion on Gaius:
× He provided particular attention toward the reign of Gaius. His account is praising of him, during his accession,
and his ability to give entertainment to the people. However, Suetonius does also indulge a description of his
more outlandish behaviour, and undoubtedly hyperbolised his attempt to become a god.
, His accession
Author Source Quotation Evaluation
Reference
Suetonius Gaius, 13-14. “Gaius’s accession seemed to the Roman Unreliable: Suetonius would not
people – like the answer to their prayer. . . have been there for his accession,
the entire population of Rome [showed] having not yet been born. He might
extravagant joy that he was now emperor.” also have exaggerated the welcome
that Gaius received, in order to
“On his arrival in the city, the Senate (and a create a powerful contrast with the
mob of people who had forced their way into latter part of his leadership.
the Senate House) immediately and
unanimously conferred absolute power upon Reliable: Gaius was the son of a
him.” beloved military figure: Germanicus.
This, combined with the dislike for
Tiberius, does imply that he would
have initially been well-loved.
Dio Roman History, “Thus, in a single day he took all the honours Unreliable: Dio was a senator;
59:3.1-5.5. Augustus had been slow to accept, and then therefore, he was critical of
only one by one as they had been voted to deferring absolute power to a single
him during his long reign. . . With the figure.
exception of the title ‘Father of the
Fatherland’ he deferred none of them, and it Reliable: This account is supported
was not long before he assumed that one by Suetonius, who claimed that the
too.” Senate “immediately and
unanimously conferred absolute
power upon him.”
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