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Researchers from Yale University have suggested that the tyrant Caligula (12-41 AD) had a fondness for plants and was knowledgeable about their healing properties.
Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, commonly known as Caligula, was the third ruler of the Roman Empire, reigning from 37 to 41 AD. Records of his brief and tumultuous rule indicate that he led a rather extravagant lifestyle filled with outrageous acts, sadism, and sexual perversions.
A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts proposes that the dictator may have had a solid understanding of ancient pharmacology.
Trevor Luke, the lead author of the study from Yale’s Ancient Pharmacology Program, noted that Caligula has often been portrayed as insane. However, according to the findings of the research team, the emperor likely had a good grasp of the medicinal properties of plants.
The researchers specifically analyzed an incident from the emperor’s life recounted by the ancient Roman historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus in his work “The Twelve Caesars.”
This collection of biographies of Roman rulers, dated to the 2nd century, suggests that “Caligula was more knowledgeable about medicine than previously thought.”
The text describes an unnamed Roman senator suffering from an unknown ailment. He took a leave of absence and traveled to the Greek resort of Antikyra in hopes that his health would improve through treatment with hellebore. However, when the senator asked Caligula to extend his leave, the emperor executed him, stating that “for someone who has not benefited from hellebore all this time, bloodletting is necessary.”
The Yale researchers shed new light on this excerpt, emphasizing Caligula’s knowledge of medicinal plants and the significance of the Antikyra spa in the ancient world. Wealthy and influential Romans traveled there for treatment, as reported by the Independent.
“This is an example of ancient medical tourism. Roman officials would go there for healing, just as today’s influencers visit Rochester, Minnesota, to take advantage of the latest offerings at the Mayo Clinic,” Dr. Luke said.
Antikyra, located in the Corinthian Gulf in the region of Phocis (central Greece), was known for its unique treatment methods using hellebore, particularly for epilepsy and mental disorders. Texts mention two varieties of this plant—white hellebore for treating head ailments and black hellebore for cleansing the intestines.
The port city was famous for its special infusions made from this plant, which effectively relieved patients of melancholy, madness, epilepsy, and gout. Since the term “hellebore” was used to refer to various plants, studying the healing methods of the distant past has proven challenging.
Researchers speculate that Caligula frequently visited this resort town. Historical records suggest he likely suffered from epilepsy and insomnia.
“Perhaps Suetonius was mistaken, and Caligula did not order the execution of this man but simply prescribed an alternative treatment that he had read about or knew from personal experience,” Dr. Luke attempted to defend the tyrant.
