Caligula And Corruption In Imperial Rome | Caligula With Mary Beard | Odyssey

Professor Mary Beard explores the life of Caligula. Many extraordinary stories surround the Roman emperor, but are they true? Was he really as evil and despotic as they say? Mary attempts to peel away some of the myths.
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[@terribarrett9381]

I never grow tired of Mary Beard!! She is wonderful and it's easy to see her love of ancient Rome. Her enthusiasm and pure joy is contagious. How I wish I could be a pupil in her classroom.

[@MRMK24]

Does anyone else just crave absolute History all the time?😂

[@ivinmcfee5500]

Yes

[@pup1008]

I used to, in the past.

[@CanadianCCP]

what the hell is absolute history?

[@georgiafan775]

You mean odyssey. Absolute history is another channel.

[@c2d2queenbee90]

I DO NOT WATCH TV. I CAN'T BE BOTHERED WASTING MY TIME OVER NONSENSE !!! NOT WASTING MY BRAIN CELLS. I RESEARCH CONSTANTLY. I DON'T WATCH LOCAL NEWS. HOGWASH. I HAVE MUCH 2 MUCH 2 LEARN !!! 😇🍭😜

[@ladygrinningsoul992]

I am obsessed by this woman! She presents history in a riveting and exiting way , she should be part of history classes in schools

[@johannesfourie4053]

She is so captivating! I wish she could put me to bed every night with a story such as this.

[@takyrica]

I dig her passion too! I’ve really learned a lot of context when reading the bible

[@frankperino4215]

I love ❤️ her!

[@alfredodistefanolaulhe2212]

She's a liberal.

[@zackwilkes979]

Yeah I agree lol..When there is a teacher who knows how to captivate the kids that he or she is teaching and make them interested in the stuff...man that's the whole idea 💡

[@jilleast5475]

Love her telling of history and how she brings her character's alive.

[@IanM-rl1pu]

On a common toilet wearing silver running shoes. Thats the first time I saw mary beard in one of her documentaries on rome. No illusions no pretence just an amazing love for classics history. Thanks for sharing.

[@gabriellebernard198]

Mary Beard completely captures you with her deep knowledge on interest in all things Roman

[@OceanSwimmer]

Always fascinated to hear history from Mary Beard! Would like to hear more from her about Roman Emperors!

[@0210rokvist]

Professor Mary Beard is the best

[@kindcounselor]

MRS. BEARD is a treasure on this earth.

[@rahimb9383]

Desperately want a documentary on Livia drusillas. would love to see some of the histories of the Claudi and the juilii. Before Augustus before Julius Caesar who were the dictators of the of the early Roman Empire that came from these founding families.. this History of the ruling families would be astonishing to know the history that led up to the Republic.love this channel. I can't get enough of history..

[@octogonSmuggler]

When I was taking an art history course in college, we talked about Nero but apparently Caligula wasn't appropriate enough for us to discuss. I'm still upset about it. He was insane on a fantastical level.

[@SaltyMinorcan]

Nero was no slacker in that respect. lol

[@LoneWombat2126]

Nero was just one giant ego trip.

[@linayer]

The problem is the story of Caligula has been told many times over and over.. Professor Mary Beard however is just fantastic, I would love to meet this smart lady, I have a million questions to ask..

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Two terrific happenings to cheer me today. 1)a new(to me) history channel and 2) oh wow it's Mary. Now I'm certain this will be good!

[@Suz-e-K]

Ha! A corgi as PM. Mary Beard is a treasure. I have learned so much from her about the Roman empire.

[@joeblow2069]

12 documentaries of ancient Rome in that playlist. That includes the almost 4 hour entire history of the Roman empire! In no other place can you get the equivalent to several college level courses in this subject so well presented. I majored in Political science and history in college in the late 70s to early 80s. Been a consistent reader of history all my life. Ancient history for me has been lacking so now I have this passion to learn much more. Only compliant about the channel is that it is lacking is ancient Greece. hopefully more of those documentaries are coming.

[@modernhaze3]

just discovered this channel interesting and intriguing content to listen while doing daily activities

[@graceamerican3558]

I listen to them as I am going to sleep at night.

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

@@timzulf I Strap Folks To A Saw Horse And Force Them To Listen - Clockwork Orange Style ...

[@0141longhorn]

@@timzulf mm

[@AN-999]

@@kneedeepinbluebells5538 a man of culture! Clockwork Orange is next level! Not for the plebs!

[@LeontiusInvictus]

This was excellent, Mary Beard is brilliant!

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

Beard ? "Brilliant" ? ? Easy On The Superlative's Cowboy - You Need To Get Out More ... Sir Isaac Newton Was Brilliant. As For Mary - Meh, I Reckon She's Got That Quirky Nerd Thing Going On Okay

[@Count.Saruman]

@@kneedeepinbluebells5538 First off, obssessive snobbery shall get no-one anywhere. 'Brilliant' is hardly a superlative. Newton, for example, was an era-defining genius to the uttermost, and nobody has claimed Beard is that. Yet, for what work she does, for her skill in reconstruction and her ability as a raconteur, she does deserve the adjective. Get off your high horse lest you stick your nose into outer space where it can't inhale.

[@jacobblackard2574]

@@Count.Saruman I agree someone needs to push him off his high horse

[@jeanettenorman7052]

Love the way this Classical Historian makes Ancient Rome live for me.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

All while ignoriong only some pertenent facts.

[@AnaLuizaHella]

I'm glad I found this channel and Mary Beard! She is amazing!

[@valerieobrien5521]

From what this lady historian is telling us he sounds like a sex pest.

[@cynthiaflorencio3498]

THANK YOU for sharing this for free!! LOVE IT

[@carolmurray187]

Love Mary Beard and her genuine love of history.

[@estefaniabarrionuevo4640]

00:00 - Introduction 02:34 - Childhood 06:55 - The murder of his father (7 years old) 10:10 - Moving to Capri island (19 years old) 17:25 - Designation as emperor (24 years old) 24:00 - Myth 1: life of luxuries and excesses 30:33 - Myth 2: paranoia and conspiracies 35:54 - Myth 3: making his horse a consul 37:50 - Myth 4: sexual depravities and perversions 41:40 - Myth 5: presenting himself as a god 45:42 - Archaeological evidence in Lake Nemi 51:16 - His own murder (28 years old) 54:31 - Post-mortem defamation and the rise of Claudius 56:25 - Conclusions

[@shellyreena2192]

Just discovered this as well. Love the intelligent articulate information :)

[@19george73]

i love this story , prof mary is an amazing presenter of history, she is fantastico!!!!!!!!

[@frankperino4215]

Mary is a captivating teacher!

[@sh3940]

Mary you are awesome, thank you for this!

[@jacklyv]

Mary beard is a treasure hwrself!! Absolutely brilliant documentary!!!👏👏👏

[@KubieQ]

Emperor Claudius was a historian documenting geek. Need to compare history to what he wrote about his family. He wanted people to know what was really going on.

[@mildredfippen5396]

I think Claudius deserves way more credit than he is given.

[@voodootrucker1896]

Uncle Clau Clau Claudius knew the truth 📚

[@gregputman]

​@@mildredfippen5396I personally think the guy's way overrated. The only reason he became emperor in the first place is that he was the last guy left in the family. It's not like he worked his way up the ladder so to speak. The only reason people like him is because he was disabled. The guy had a lot of people murdered and was very paranoid. He probably relied on his advisors too much. I think they're the ones that ran the empire. All you have to do is look at the way he ran his personal life.

[@lorrainemoynehan6791]

Mary Beard is a legend

[@sasnad3]

Am I a legend too?

[@blueyoshi8231]

Wouldn't you love to just spend an evening with her....and the red headed Egyptologist Joanne.

[@tedrobinson5713]

@@sasnad3 we should make a Statue of her and advocate the pope to make her a Saint

[@sasnad3]

@@tedrobinson5713 I can make pretty good statues. Get some funding

[@nekogaming5300]

@@sasnad3 who cares

[@alfredawomi2340]

Very good and Informative Channel, great work guys do release more and regularly, TQ!

[@kaloarepo288]

I still think that probably the bat shit craziest of all the Roman emperors was Heliogabalus -the child of the sun -he outdid even Caligula.

[@1916jamesconnolly]

More perverted and totally imcompetent than cruel. Very short reign.

[@cloudftw113]

He was also a 14 year old dominated by his crazy mother. The little weirdo never really stood a chance.

[@littlebigjohn69]

love history and love historic romans and love marys take on it.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Mary Beard is such a great host. Looking lovely in the blue trench and modern necklace, BTW!

[@Mi_Pi]

The storytelling is so good, I subbed.

[@jmccallion2394]

The choreography of terror! What a brill, descriptive title!!!

[@williamwallace9427]

I absolutely love her documentaries

[@mike-myke22]

A wonderful historian and presenter. ❤

[@rogeredwarrddeshon5000]

The depiction of Caligula by Jay Robinson in 'The Robe' was fantastic in its maniacal evil.

[@innonhara7040]

Enjoyed reading Caligula Carnage Expunged. He was a real tyrant. Great storytelling !

[@darleneadamski6749]

Wish I could go back in time. Man I love history ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Cogniche]

And I love woman who love history ;)

[@darleneadamski6749]

@@Cogniche is that right? I definitely am a history nerd. Absolutely 💯💯💯☺️ Hope you’re well. Be safe and stay warm!!

[@Grenadier311]

@@darleneadamski6749 A woman who doesn't pour scorn and derision on a forward fellow nerd is one perhaps worth courting. Be healthy.

[@darleneadamski6749]

@@Grenadier311 thank you. 🙏🏻

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

@@Grenadier311 Oh ferchrisfucinSAKES Grenade Boy ! Quit Wasting Time With These Silly Broad's - Get Out To A Nice Crowded Bar, Chat Up A REAL LIFE, Albeit Lonely Barfly. You May Find She Contain's Multitudes ... Open Mind

[@juliusdelacruz7549]

very nice and engaging documentary

[@SaltyMinorcan]

In my delusions of grander, I am this lady. What a wonderful life to speak ancient Latin and travel round investigating this era of history. Matter of fact, I think I'll give myslf a British accent as well!

[@andrewjoyce9038]

English accent

[@Dan16673]

​@@andrewjoyce9038so she isnt british? Lol

[@andrewjoyce9038]

@@Dan16673 there's no such thing as British accent

[@Dan16673]

@@andrewjoyce9038 of course there is. All locations have an accent in a language

[@rymic72]

This presentation wouldn’t sound terribly appealing in a Scouse or Glaswegian or West Belfast ‘British’ accent.

[@uncledan7500]

This is fantastic!

[@singed8853]

This was a very enjoyable documentary.

[@graceamerican3558]

Very interesting. Thank you. Caligula really knew how to spend some money. Dang.

[@Indusxstan]

Mary Beard is not only erudite but such an articulate scholar 😱! I will never forget the real Caligula or the atmosphere pervading Ancient Rome again‼️

[@opietaylor5579]

Not to mention she is the SEXIEST woman EVER!!!!!

[@joeamapani297]

This is Amazing

[@simonstergaard]

Amazing docu... I demand moaaar!

[@LabradoodleTofuBoy]

I love history. This is why we should never destroy history regardless.

[@cherijoseph7819]

Regardless of what?

[@batman-telephoneman5479]

It was said that Caligula was in fact normal for a time, a good emperor as well. But then he fell ill but as he recovered he grew mad. What role if any did his illness play in his insanity? Could it have been Meningitis? Some form of encephalopathic disease?

[@undinia]

Syphilis, poisoning, inbreeding ( increasing any familial risk of mental illness), all possibilities.

[@carolmurray187]

Maybe his childhood had some thing to do with it too! Brilliant stuff as always from Mary Beard.

[@view1st]

Could be a smear campaign launched by his successor.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

This is the TV we need.

[@armyofninjas9055]

49:56 - This is almost certainly the inspiration for the Death Stick in Harry Potter.

[@smyk1990]

If my history teachers at school would be half like Mrs Beard, I would have loved this subject, instead of hating it

[@sanjaybhatikar]

Beautiful!

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Excellent in the telling.

[@alexshapley8331]

Fantastic!

[@leeneufeld4140]

Was he the most evil? How do you choose from such a rich selection?

[@LuisAldamiz]

Thedosius was the worst.

[@Darrylizer1]

Nero was worse as was Caracalla

[@marcotylerwilliams4090]

I'd put my money on Tiberius.

[@Darrylizer1]

@@marcotylerwilliams4090 I think you are correct!

[@julianalinzey7594]

Look at the USA…. We have gone that way… our politicians have…. Pedophiles galore!

[@harrybruijs2614]

The senate did often a damnatio mori of emperors who didn’t advocate a policy that singulary enriched them. The same with Tiberius, Commodus, Carracala they were all to strict in holding the string of the purse.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Tthank you.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Mary Beard tells it so well.

[@patriklehto6446]

Watching This Now Thistime Doc.

[@Ilebuda]

It is quite amazing that he managed to get major buildings, ships etc in just 3.5 years. Nowadays at least in EU they cannot even get a project started in that time.

[@cherijoseph7819]

Having slaves helped.

[@mauricepowers8079]

No zoning approvals needed...engineering was basic(large MARBLE LEGO BLOCKS)...cheap labor...no building codes...funding by DECREE...

[@danielmalinen6337]

Caligula has been considered insane for a few reasons. By nature, Caligula was unstable, volatile, short-tempered and paranoid after his disease. Caligula is also said to have declared war against Poseidon (maybe true), nominated his horse to proconsul (maybe not true), erected a golden statue in the Jewish temple (maybe not true), and driven the empire into bankruptcy by wasting the moneys to two super-sized ships (really true). Caligula may not have been insane, but spoiled and megalomaniacal.

[@shawndoubleday9157]

Wow it sounds like Joe Biden

[@Grenadier311]

@@shawndoubleday9157 Partisan fool.

[@Grenadier311]

He was bat shit crazy by all accounts. Given his traumatic upbringing, I'm not surprised.

[@kaloarepo288]

I have seen a documentary about those 2 ships -Italian archaeologists drained the lake where they lay and they were restored and put in a museum -alas the retreating Germans towards the end of World War II destroyed that museum and the ships -however there is a smaller scale replica of one of the ships there now -the lake of Nemi.

[@voodootrucker1896]

and so a God he became, to rival the mind of Jove, be he god or man, all must tremble at the hand of Caligua

[@JgleJne]

Mary Beard 💜 Nothing else to say 😊

[@larryrice2551]

~ Very Interesting!!! ~

[@justsayain9794]

With complete respect, if I had her telling me bedtime stories as a child I probably would be knee deep in a excavation site somewhere right now.

[@a.j.carter8975]

❤ fascinating.

[@traceyolsen308]

Wouldn't there have been cults at the time resembling Esoteric Buddhism and Tantric Hinduism where it's acceptable and a valid goal to merge with a God or become one? Presumably also similar traditions in Egypt? How unusual would Caligula's ideas and actions have been considering the time and the familiarity the Romans already had with these religious trends? + very enjoyable documentary showing lots of beautiful scenery and Art. Thank You.

[@mckster56]

This lady is so excellent. I enjoy these programs

[@alfredodistefanolaulhe2212]

The romans never called Caligula to Caligula, when you read Tacitus, Flavius Josephus or Suetonius, they always call him Gaius or at most, Gaius Caesar, but never Caligula.

[@JohnDoe-qz5pj]

Caligula was a master troll that the Roman senate couldn't abide by.

[@AT-wj5sw]

Exactly. He wasn’t insane, he just wanted to piss off those old corrupt senators

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

@@AT-wj5sw Actually, he was clinically insane. But that was due to lead poisoning. Lead was used to line pots which were used to make wine, and Caligula was a HUGE drinker.

[@zacharyharris438]

@@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft not an alcoholic though......lol, had no effect on him. Also, he was clinically diagnosed? Wow....i had no idea.....

[@yasuke9317]

Where did you receive your History degree?

[@koatam]

@@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft Didn't he once almost die from an intense fever? Could have cooked his brain.

[@sofukinfisticated]

i cant wait to get old

[@urbanlumberjack]

Love this host she’s great

[@jenrutherford6690]

It's interesting that Caligula is despised amongst other reasons for committing incest . Yet the Pharoahs of Egypt were mandated to marry sisters and brothers.

[@robertjordan7482]

Interesting.

[@opietaylor5579]

I didn’t think the assassins ate him, a couple different sources said he stuck his hand in the wound and licked the blood off his hand

[@hoghs1]

6:23 gotta be the inspiration for Joffrey

[@medusagorgon8432]

Well this is a treat.😁

[@davidnotonstinnett]

My theory is Caligula is the victim of senate meddling. He thought the senate was at best worthless and at worst they were a threat to the power of the imperial dynasty. For their part, the senate probably viewed amused as a humiliated body robbed of its power. Many were true believers in the Roman Republican tradition. They thought Caligula, being basically a child, was a meek enough leader that they could strike and then replace with a leader more controllable, in Claudius, who proved himself a more capable leader than they imagined. The senate had him killed and then smeared him. I prefer this explanation because it explains the tyranny of people like Nero and Caligula beyond “oh they were just evil tyrants”. The Senate assassinated Caesar and even Augustus made sure nor to make himself king or to take power all at once. It would be foolish to think the senate would just be pacified in 50 years.

[@rabiaadam]

I wish i could time travel and see the boats and temple. Wonderful people romans were❤

[@redrose97]

If you want to know about the Romans,Mary Beard is the best, number one

[@snakeoo7ca]

Mary Beard has a great book called SPQR

[@ilkkarautio2449]

I dont think that he would mind his name, just think about it: what are those boots meant for? Walking over your dead enemies.

[@voodootrucker1896]

and so a God he became, to rival the mind of Jove

[@armyofninjas9055]

These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.

[@jakubkuzminski5670]

Super film

[@Grenadier311]

I'm amazed and aghast at the number of people defending and even admiring this man.

[@glitchmaster360_4]

YES

[@Mikefantasia22]

I dont know about anyone else but I nearly jumped outa my seat with excitement when I saw Mary Beard. I love her documentaries. Disappointing though because I thought this was new. Do.you just repost other creators content or do you somehow have a relation to this ? I wana say this was a BBC doc

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

Are You KIDDING Me ! Seriously ? For Real Mikey ? " ... jumped outta your seat ... " You Really Need To Get Out More Often: Go To The Zoo, Or Find And Join A 4-H Club; Meet Some Nice New People Already !

[@Mikefantasia22]

@@kneedeepinbluebells5538 to see some new unknown youtube channel gets what's considered one of the best documentary makers on the subject would be exciting. Unfortunately it seems this channel just uploads old BBC documentaries.

[@marcusclarke5628]

@@kneedeepinbluebells5538 you feel like a clever man posting that?

[@janmeyer3129]

I am so grateful for these old BBC documentaries.

[@kylestehura4241]

To me Caligula wasn’t “evil”, sure he did a lot of bad things, but it seems like he was more of a victim of Tiberius and grief and depression from losing his parents, brother and sister.

[@Tipi_Dan]

"There's no such thing as a bad cowpoke, only a sick one." ("Gunslinger": Katie Lee; The Limeliters)

[@pearlsthrowawaychannel]

altogether a fascinating & well-made doc but that transmisogynistic reaction to the sleeping statue was very disturbing.

[@TheZombieman87]

How is it transmisogynistic?

[@rookhoatzin]

They left him in bits on the palace floor but all they got was more of the same... And still it goes on, more of the same. Humanity still plays the same games, the cycle repeats.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

Yeh. We need to stop rewarding people who have clearly psychopathic tendencies with leadership roles.

[@TheRealTrueNorth]

The host is excellent.

[@drazenbicanic3590]

Cassius Hereus, the hero after Var's defeat, gathered the survivors and organized the defense of the bridges on the Rhine. Even younger, he defeated a German gladiator who mocked the Romans.

[@donquique1]

Mary beard is awesome.

[@F40PH-2CAT]

Yes.

[@michaelmightens1291]

oh love mary beard

[@coleman318]

Hello I could use one more channel

[@robertmaynard4265]

This is the kind of history that would make a difference in our schools

[@serchsource8744]

if you live a life like DAMOCLES, you better eat, drink, and be merry!

[@Tina-di4lx]

20 AD. Cool

[@denisenilsson1366]

I believe that the reason Tiberius kept Caligula on Capri. . .what is the old saying, "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer"?

[@julianalinzey7594]

He was a child when he was put on the island!

[@denisenilsson1366]

@@julianalinzey7594 He was still a threat to Tiberius. Indeed, his very existence was a threat to Tiberius.