2005-11-09 Highly readable and informative

This is a very accessible book for the general reader. It strips away the myths that have grown up about the life and character of Caligula to reveal a recognisable human being in a recognisable setting of power politics. The author makes use of all ancient sources, sets them alongside each other, explains the context in which they were written, then tells the story *behind* them in a way which is both effective and informative. The result is an excellent insight into the way the early imperial Roman political world really worked and how Caligula fell victim to it. Recommended.