Episode 26: The Recovery and Subsequent Madness of Caligula

Gaius recovers from his illness and begins a streak of vengeance and power consolidation. Flaccus, governor of Egypt, continues to navigate a troublesome political situation. Gaius's sister Agrippina gives birth to a boy, whereas Macro and Ennia's fortunes change.    SHOWNOTES On the soft rebukes of Gaius from Macro (Philo Embassy to Gaius, 7). Agrippina's husband saying, "That nothing but what was detestable and pernicious to the public, could ever be produced of him and Agrippina" (Suet Nero 6).  Augustus thought Claudius, Gaius’ uncle, was not a good judge of character and had a bad choice of friends (Suet, Claudius, 4.5). Whenever Macro approached, Gaius would say, "Don’t smile! Don’t look downcast! Here comes the monitor, the stickler for straight speaking. He has now taken it upon himself to tutor a fully grown man, an emperor no less—at the very moment when those who guided him since childhood have been dismissed and pushed aside." (Philo, Against Flaccus, 3.15). Macro left enough money to provide for the construction of an amphitheater in his hometown of Alba Fucens (in Abruzzo) which can still be seen today: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anfiteatro_di_Alba_Fucens_e_monte_Velino.jpg