Caligula

"The short, sordid and violent life of the Roman emperor some have compared to Donald Trump."— Kirkus Review

"Was Caligula really mad, bad and dangerous to know? Discover whether he deserves his infamy – or not – in this engrossing character study of the famous emperor." –Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of The Confessions of a Young Nero and The Splendor Before the Dark

"A compelling page-turner. It reads like a political thriller. Which it is. It reads like a work of investigative journalism. Which it is. It reads like a myth-busting period history. Which it is... It takes narrative history to a virtuosic level, with a timeless story extremely well told." –Ralph Benko, US columnist

"There have been many biographies of Caligula, but none that have such spark and vivacity." –Manda Scott, author of the Boudica and Rome series and A Treachery of Spies, and former president of the Historical Writers Association of the UK

"A marvelous book… A lively, engaging volume that is a true pleasure to read." –Professor Lee Fratantuono, Ohio Wesleyan University, author of Caligula: An Unexpected General

“Caligula: The Mad Emperor of Rome is a compelling page-turner, a timeless story. It reads like a political thriller. Which it is. It reads like a work of investigative journalism. Which it is. It reads like a myth-busting period history. Which it is. The author, clearly familiar with, yet never pedantic about, all the primary sources, dispels many old libels masquerading for centuries as fake news. Meanwhile, he provides us with an abundance of documented stories so lurid as to dwarf the overhyped misdemeanors of today. Long ago I was tipped off to on an open secret: Colleen McCulloch's pulp masterpieces in Masters of Rome were so accurate as to be held in awe as a kind of quasi-history by the ‘Secret Fraternity of Latin Teachers.’ If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this historical fact of Caligula (the book, not the Emperor!). Caligula may herald the perfection of a new literary genre: "forensic history." It takes narrative history to a virtuosic level with a timeless story extraordinarily well-told." –Ralph Benko, columnist

"A marvelously readable popular biography. It's studded with atmospheric, well-crafted set pieces highlighting both the excesses of this emperor's reign and his imperial milieu." –Washington Independent Review of Books

"A marvelous book. Stephen Dando-Collins offers a fresh scholarly perspective on the notorious emperor Caligula that succeeds admirably in being of interest both to professional scholars of the early Roman Empire and to the general reader. This is a lively, engaging volume that is a true pleasure to read. Anyone interested in ancient Rome will want to acquire and enjoy this great new addition to the bibliography." –Dr. Lee Fratanuono, Professor of Classics, Ohio Wesleyan University, author of Caligula: An Unexpected General