Legend of a crazy leader: why the Emperor Caliga declared war on the sea

Subscribe not to miss the latest and most intrusive news from the world of science! According to the chronicle, about 40 years of our era, probably, during preparation for the British invasion, Emperor Caligul ordered his troops: to collect turtles from the coast. This order was to symbolize the conquest of the inaccessible ocean, and the shells were allegedly intended to transfer to Rome as evidence of their triumphant efforts.

The historical story about Caligula often depicts it as an emperor with unstable attitude, and this characteristic is often reproduced in such legends. Familiar with his merciless and sadistic rule, Caligula continues to remain the subject of debate about his idiosyncratic behavior. Examples include his self -proclaiming with the deity and the appointment of his own horse, incitate, to the respectable position of the consul.

His reign, extremely unpopular among the Roman population, ended with the murder of the Praetorian Guards faction in January 41 AD. Central in the story of the deeds of Caligula on the turtles occupies an idea of ​​his mental disorder. However, over time, this story has undergone new interpretations, which is even more complicated by a lack of sources of the time, which would confirm the allegations of the Literal War of Caligula with the sea.

Historians even suggest that the term translated as "seashells" is incorrectly interpreted. The main story belongs to Peru Svetonia, a Roman historian, whose life lasted from about 69 to 122 AD. His work "The Life of Twelve Caesar" is a collection of biographical essays of the first dozen of emperors of Rome, often based on rumors or legends.

In this collection, Svetonium describes in detail the incident: "Finally, as if organizing the solution of war, he lined up soldiers along the ocean coast, unfolding Balists and a variety of artillery. He was gestured. Chosen "Ocean Trofes" intended for Capitol and Palatine. " Researchers add that "turtles" are a false interpretation of the term "conchae".

This designation was also attributed to the British enemy vessels, captured in the La Channel, who were subsequently transported to Rome to participate in the triumphant process-a parade in honor of captured trophies, captives and other symbols of the conquest after the conflict was completed. These narratives continue to perpetuate the misconception of the historical heritage of Caligula, thereby echoing distorted memory of it in the modern environment.