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Caligula: The Abuse of Power
The Roman Empire has always exercised a considerable fascination. Among its numerous colourful personalities, no emperor, with the possible exception of Nero, has attracted more popular attention than Caligula, who has a reputation, whether deserved or not, as the quintessential mad and dangerous ruler. The first edition of this book established itself as the standard study of Caligula. It remains the only full length and detailed scholarly analysis in English of this emperor’s reign, and has been translated into a number of languages. But the study of Classical antiquity is not a static phenomenon, and scholars are engaged in a persistent quest to upgrade our knowledge and thinking about the ancient past. In the thirty years since publication of the original Caligula there have been considerable scholarly advances in what we know about this emperor specifically, and also about the general period in which he functioned, while newly discovered inscriptions and major archaeological projects have necessitated a rethinking of many of our earlier conclusions about early imperial history. This new edition constitutes a major revision and, in places, a major rewriting, of the original text. Maintaining the reader-friendly structure and organisation of its predecessor, it embodies the latest discoveries and the latest thinking, seeking to make more lucid and comprehensible those aspects of the reign that are particularly daunting to the non-specialist. Like the original, this revised Caligula is intended to satisfy the requirements of the scholarly community while appealing to a broad and general readership.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2015
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About the author
Anthony A. Barrett
21 books24 followersAnthony A. Barrett is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia and visiting professor at the University of Heidelberg.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 15, 2023
Amazon
An Excellent Thesis Undermined by the Content
4/10
Years prior Barrett wrote one of the first major books both academically and for a wide audience to posit that Caligula was not insane, but a cruel ruler. This work was entitled "Caligula: The Corruption of Power". Now decades later Barrett has revised his text with new critical studies available and some new primary evidence. This new edition is subtitled "The Abuse of Power". Ostensibly Barrett's thesis is now that Caligula was not corrupted by power, but simply abused his power. This is an excellent thesis as it furthers the original primary goal of dispelling the widespread belief that Caligula was literally insane. Unfortunately the book fails to ultimately provide evidence to support his thesis.
Barrett follows a formula throughout his book of describing what the primary sources described Caligula's actions or behaviors. Then Barrett analyzes the actions and offers various explanations or possible motivations for Caligula's irrational acts. The effect of which unfortunately undermines his own thesis. By offering so many explanations and motivations for Caligula's actions Caligula comes across as a reasonable ruler. Barrett analyzes and unintentionally justifies almost everything about Caligula that he loses his thesis. Barrett in the introduction and his conclusion makes it clear that Caligula was an awful ruler, but in the actual content of the book he offers few examples of genuine abuse of power. Because Barrett fails to prove his thesis the book ultimately lacks cohesion, and comes across as a drastic revision of the content while preserving the original thesis.
Barrett's secondary goal was to write a book that would be enjoyable to both academics and a mass audience in this regard he fails as well. Barret's book is written much more in the dry prose of an academic. Considering the price tag, this will not be a deal-breaker for the people who read the book. However, Barrett's writing makes getting through the book a laborious process.
Barrett's revision is mostly driven by the vastly superior "Caligula: A Biography" being recently published by Aloys Winterling. Barrett concurs with many of Winterling's observations and cites him several times while also disagreeing at other points. Winterling's book is a much friendlier book for non-academics and has a well-supported thesis. Barrett's book should not be a standard for understanding Rome's bizarre third Emperor. Although impassioned and well-researched, Barrett undermines his own arguments with his analysis and presentation of the evidence.
James Kelly
An Excellent Thesis Undermined by the Content
4/10
Years prior Barrett wrote one of the first major books both academically and for a wide audience to posit that Caligula was not insane, but a cruel ruler. This work was entitled "Caligula: The Corruption of Power". Now decades later Barrett has revised his text with new critical studies available and some new primary evidence. This new edition is subtitled "The Abuse of Power". Ostensibly Barrett's thesis is now that Caligula was not corrupted by power, but simply abused his power. This is an excellent thesis as it furthers the original primary goal of dispelling the widespread belief that Caligula was literally insane. Unfortunately the book fails to ultimately provide evidence to support his thesis.
Barrett follows a formula throughout his book of describing what the primary sources described Caligula's actions or behaviors. Then Barrett analyzes the actions and offers various explanations or possible motivations for Caligula's irrational acts. The effect of which unfortunately undermines his own thesis. By offering so many explanations and motivations for Caligula's actions Caligula comes across as a reasonable ruler. Barrett analyzes and unintentionally justifies almost everything about Caligula that he loses his thesis. Barrett in the introduction and his conclusion makes it clear that Caligula was an awful ruler, but in the actual content of the book he offers few examples of genuine abuse of power. Because Barrett fails to prove his thesis the book ultimately lacks cohesion, and comes across as a drastic revision of the content while preserving the original thesis.
Barrett's secondary goal was to write a book that would be enjoyable to both academics and a mass audience in this regard he fails as well. Barret's book is written much more in the dry prose of an academic. Considering the price tag, this will not be a deal-breaker for the people who read the book. However, Barrett's writing makes getting through the book a laborious process.
Barrett's revision is mostly driven by the vastly superior "Caligula: A Biography" being recently published by Aloys Winterling. Barrett concurs with many of Winterling's observations and cites him several times while also disagreeing at other points. Winterling's book is a much friendlier book for non-academics and has a well-supported thesis. Barrett's book should not be a standard for understanding Rome's bizarre third Emperor. Although impassioned and well-researched, Barrett undermines his own arguments with his analysis and presentation of the evidence.
James Kelly
August 1, 2019
The scholarly view of Caligula is definitely more sensible and skeptical than the popular versions. Professor Barrett's update to this authoritative work is measured, even-handed, thorough, but definitely not the Caligula of popular imagination.
February 2, 2020
Better than Levick, but definitely no walk in the park..
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews