1 00:00:15,098 --> 00:00:18,393 [ominous music playing] 2 00:00:24,983 --> 00:00:27,402 I can get the Senate to nullify the will. 3 00:00:27,819 --> 00:00:30,697 They'll claim he was of unsound mind when it was written. 4 00:00:31,990 --> 00:00:33,324 Well, what about Gemellus? 5 00:00:34,325 --> 00:00:35,410 He's a problem. 6 00:00:35,493 --> 00:00:38,038 As long as he's alive, he's a threat. 7 00:00:38,788 --> 00:00:41,249 Tiberius knows there won't be two heirs for long. 8 00:00:41,666 --> 00:00:43,710 This is another one of his power games. 9 00:00:45,336 --> 00:00:48,840 You have to move against Gemellus before he moves against you. 10 00:00:49,924 --> 00:00:51,551 [music intensifies] 11 00:02:29,774 --> 00:02:31,234 [suspenseful music builds] 12 00:02:31,317 --> 00:02:32,569 [Tiberius breathes heavily] 13 00:02:53,047 --> 00:02:54,465 [Tiberius groans] 14 00:03:02,599 --> 00:03:03,516 [muffled grunts] 15 00:03:21,201 --> 00:03:24,037 [theme music playing] 16 00:04:40,113 --> 00:04:41,656 [intense music playing] 17 00:04:51,666 --> 00:04:52,917 [narrator] For over a decade, 18 00:04:53,543 --> 00:04:56,170 the people of Rome have been without an emperor. 19 00:04:58,047 --> 00:05:00,925 After Tiberius went into hiding on Capri, 20 00:05:03,136 --> 00:05:05,221 it's the first time in Roman history that an emperor has abandoned his people. 21 00:05:08,766 --> 00:05:10,768 [crowd clamoring] 22 00:05:11,352 --> 00:05:14,397 And now, the city of Rome is beginning to unravel. 23 00:05:18,359 --> 00:05:20,862 Tiberius tries to govern by proxy, 24 00:05:20,945 --> 00:05:25,199 but of course, that leads to an even kind of messier situation, 25 00:05:25,283 --> 00:05:28,244 where you have lots of senators and aristocrats in Rome 26 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:31,497 who don't have the strong leadership of their emperor there. 27 00:05:31,581 --> 00:05:33,791 They don't really know what he wants them to do. 28 00:05:33,875 --> 00:05:36,669 And you have this whole series of treason trials 29 00:05:36,753 --> 00:05:39,756 and executions, and exiles, and it's all very, very messy. 30 00:05:42,091 --> 00:05:44,177 [narrator] With Rome on the brink of chaos, 31 00:05:45,428 --> 00:05:47,305 the Roman people have no idea 32 00:05:47,388 --> 00:05:51,059 that Tiberius' reign is about to come to an end. 33 00:06:05,323 --> 00:06:07,575 After six years secluded on Capri, 34 00:06:08,242 --> 00:06:10,995 Caligula has killed the emperor of Rome, 35 00:06:11,871 --> 00:06:14,290 and the man who destroyed his family. 36 00:06:15,750 --> 00:06:20,213 Caligula's life was filled with watching his closest family members 37 00:06:20,296 --> 00:06:24,342 become exiled and killed for speaking out against this man, Tiberius. 38 00:06:24,550 --> 00:06:28,221 Tiberius was never a popular emperor. 39 00:06:28,304 --> 00:06:30,598 He never really wanted the position. 40 00:06:30,681 --> 00:06:33,893 Caligula, however, absolutely wanted to be in charge, 41 00:06:33,976 --> 00:06:36,979 absolutely wanted to be in a position of power. 42 00:06:38,940 --> 00:06:40,400 [narrator] With Tiberius dead, 43 00:06:40,775 --> 00:06:43,694 Caligula prepares to take on the role of emperor, 44 00:06:45,738 --> 00:06:48,241 but there's still one person in his way. 45 00:06:55,164 --> 00:06:56,666 [Gemellus] If you're going to kill me, 46 00:06:57,041 --> 00:06:58,376 just get it over with. 47 00:07:01,921 --> 00:07:02,755 Leave us. 48 00:07:10,972 --> 00:07:12,890 I am not like your grandfather. 49 00:07:15,351 --> 00:07:16,727 I am not going to kill you. 50 00:07:19,147 --> 00:07:19,981 Then what? 51 00:07:21,524 --> 00:07:23,443 Are you going to send me into exile? 52 00:07:27,530 --> 00:07:29,240 I'm naming you next in line. 53 00:07:31,742 --> 00:07:33,369 As my sole heir. 54 00:07:35,288 --> 00:07:36,122 Why? 55 00:07:42,795 --> 00:07:43,921 Tiberius 56 00:07:44,881 --> 00:07:46,716 nearly destroyed our family. 57 00:07:48,468 --> 00:07:51,220 This is our chance to make things right. 58 00:07:56,350 --> 00:08:00,062 By adopting Gemellus, Caligula is basically saying, 59 00:08:00,146 --> 00:08:03,232 "You know what? This guy could be my competitor, but instead, 60 00:08:03,316 --> 00:08:04,692 I'm gonna be his adopted father, 61 00:08:04,775 --> 00:08:06,736 I'm gonna take care of him and be his protector." 62 00:08:10,740 --> 00:08:13,743 In retrospect, Gemellus would always be a threat, 63 00:08:14,535 --> 00:08:17,663 but Caligula wasn't going to rock the boat that early on. 64 00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:21,083 He wasn't going to go down the same route as Tiberius. 65 00:08:21,459 --> 00:08:22,668 He was being a good guy. 66 00:08:22,752 --> 00:08:25,713 It was the most sensible thing that he could've done at the time. 67 00:08:36,807 --> 00:08:38,893 [narrator] Macro returns to Rome, 68 00:08:43,022 --> 00:08:45,399 using his connections to convince the Senate 69 00:08:47,527 --> 00:08:49,570 to throw out Tiberius' will. 70 00:08:51,113 --> 00:08:54,283 Macro managed to persuade one of the consuls, 71 00:08:54,367 --> 00:08:59,038 heaven knows how, to render the will null and void. 72 00:08:59,121 --> 00:09:05,503 [Anthony Everitt] Only then was it possible to ignore the co-heir plan. 73 00:09:12,426 --> 00:09:13,803 [narrator] With the Senate decided, 74 00:09:14,554 --> 00:09:17,598 Macro has secured Caligula's claim to the throne. 75 00:09:19,809 --> 00:09:21,811 [loud cheering] 76 00:09:22,436 --> 00:09:24,397 And the people of Rome get word 77 00:09:25,356 --> 00:09:27,441 that a new emperor has been chosen. 78 00:09:27,817 --> 00:09:29,360 [crowd cheering] 79 00:09:36,409 --> 00:09:37,868 [intense music playing] 80 00:09:48,337 --> 00:09:50,131 When Caligula comes into power, 81 00:09:50,214 --> 00:09:54,051 he's inheriting a kind of messy situation. 82 00:09:55,428 --> 00:09:57,054 [Amanda Ruggeri] You have to keep in mind 83 00:09:57,138 --> 00:10:00,141 you only had had two emperors before Caligula. 84 00:10:00,224 --> 00:10:04,520 Augustus, who was really the first model for what an emperor could be, 85 00:10:05,229 --> 00:10:07,940 and then Tiberius, who kind of showed a lot of people 86 00:10:08,024 --> 00:10:10,109 how you might not want to be ruler. 87 00:10:12,445 --> 00:10:16,616 When Tiberius was initially reported as having been deceased, 88 00:10:17,199 --> 00:10:19,910 the crowds in Rome cheered and celebrated. 89 00:10:19,994 --> 00:10:22,204 The Roman people just hated the guy. 90 00:10:22,747 --> 00:10:26,751 So the idea that Caligula had killed Tiberius 91 00:10:26,834 --> 00:10:29,962 only made him more popular among the Roman people. 92 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:37,511 Caligula had something going for him. 93 00:10:37,595 --> 00:10:40,014 He was the son of this golden boy, 94 00:10:40,097 --> 00:10:43,809 the son of Germanicus, and so he was very popular. 95 00:10:43,893 --> 00:10:47,521 Nobody knew anything about him, but he was seen to be the herald 96 00:10:47,605 --> 00:10:50,983 of a new, wonderful age. 97 00:10:51,067 --> 00:10:52,610 A new age was dawning. 98 00:10:55,529 --> 00:10:57,657 [narrator] In March of 37 A.D., 99 00:10:58,449 --> 00:11:00,493 the man who left Rome as a prisoner 100 00:11:01,619 --> 00:11:03,704 returns as its emperor. 101 00:11:21,639 --> 00:11:22,973 With Macro's help, 102 00:11:23,391 --> 00:11:26,394 Caligula has ushered in a new era for Rome, 103 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,481 but a holdover from Tiberius' reign of terror 104 00:11:31,565 --> 00:11:33,192 could change everything. 105 00:11:44,286 --> 00:11:47,456 [Macro] Tiberius kept detailed records on the senators. 106 00:11:49,542 --> 00:11:51,460 Information he could use as blackmail. 107 00:11:52,837 --> 00:11:56,257 Including how they each voted at the treason trials. 108 00:12:01,220 --> 00:12:02,263 In there, 109 00:12:03,222 --> 00:12:06,809 you'll find the hearings of your mother and brothers. 110 00:12:09,812 --> 00:12:11,272 [Macro] I'll leave them with you. 111 00:12:14,942 --> 00:12:16,527 [narrator] Still new to the throne, 112 00:12:16,986 --> 00:12:19,321 Caligula has yet to address the Senate, 113 00:12:22,533 --> 00:12:26,370 but now he knows who among them sent his mother to her death. 114 00:12:29,957 --> 00:12:35,045 Caligula, like any new Roman emperor, had to get support wherever he could. 115 00:12:35,713 --> 00:12:37,590 But the Senate, that was always a tough one. 116 00:12:37,673 --> 00:12:39,467 Elite opinion really did matter in Rome 117 00:12:39,550 --> 00:12:41,469 and could make or break an emperor. 118 00:12:41,552 --> 00:12:45,890 But the Senate encompassed the very people who had persecuted his own family. 119 00:12:45,973 --> 00:12:47,767 [breathing rapidly] 120 00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:51,437 [narrator] After leaving for Capri, 121 00:12:51,896 --> 00:12:54,565 Tiberius handed over control to the Senate, 122 00:12:55,608 --> 00:12:57,359 and for the past ten years, 123 00:12:57,818 --> 00:13:00,070 they've run Rome completely ungoverned, 124 00:13:00,821 --> 00:13:02,364 wielding enormous power. 125 00:13:04,950 --> 00:13:08,704 But Caligula wants to show the Senate that he's a new kind of emperor, 126 00:13:10,623 --> 00:13:12,792 and now he has everything he needs 127 00:13:13,542 --> 00:13:15,753 to take revenge for his mother's death. 128 00:13:16,086 --> 00:13:17,463 [music intensifies] 129 00:13:30,392 --> 00:13:34,063 [Caligula] These are the detailed records kept by Tiberius 130 00:13:34,939 --> 00:13:36,148 on all of you. 131 00:13:36,524 --> 00:13:38,943 [senators murmuring] 132 00:13:40,945 --> 00:13:42,947 Tiberius used these records 133 00:13:44,031 --> 00:13:45,533 to sway your opinions. 134 00:13:46,742 --> 00:13:48,369 To buy your loyalty. 135 00:13:50,329 --> 00:13:51,539 To manipulate you. 136 00:13:52,540 --> 00:13:55,793 They contain accounts of how you voted at the treason trials. 137 00:13:58,337 --> 00:14:01,715 Including those of my mother and brothers. 138 00:14:07,137 --> 00:14:09,682 But I am not Tiberius. 139 00:14:15,479 --> 00:14:17,231 I will be doing things differently. 140 00:14:23,529 --> 00:14:24,697 No more secrets. 141 00:14:26,323 --> 00:14:27,741 No more extortion. 142 00:14:30,870 --> 00:14:31,996 No more fear. 143 00:14:39,628 --> 00:14:40,921 [indistinct chatter] 144 00:14:42,047 --> 00:14:45,551 Caligula decided to let all the exiles, all the people in 145 00:14:45,634 --> 00:14:47,720 who had offended the previous emperor. 146 00:14:48,137 --> 00:14:51,390 And so all the evidence, all the miseries, all the complaints, 147 00:14:51,473 --> 00:14:56,145 all the injustices of the old reign needed to be swept aside. 148 00:15:07,823 --> 00:15:12,328 [narrator] For Caligula, winning the favor of the Senate is just the first step 149 00:15:12,411 --> 00:15:14,872 in securing the support of the Empire. 150 00:15:16,457 --> 00:15:19,251 Now he has to win over the Roman people. 151 00:15:21,045 --> 00:15:22,379 [intense music playing] 152 00:15:28,427 --> 00:15:30,638 In the first few months of Caligula's reign, 153 00:15:30,721 --> 00:15:32,306 he didn't put a foot wrong. 154 00:15:32,848 --> 00:15:36,602 He realized fairly early on that the first thing he needed to do 155 00:15:36,685 --> 00:15:38,687 was to secure the favor with the people. 156 00:15:39,647 --> 00:15:43,609 We've got to remember that Tiberius had been on the throne for over 20 years. 157 00:15:43,692 --> 00:15:48,822 Suddenly you have this young man, who is rewriting all of the rules. 158 00:15:54,119 --> 00:15:56,080 [narrator] He orders a new amphitheater 159 00:15:56,163 --> 00:15:57,831 to be built in his honor, 160 00:16:01,835 --> 00:16:03,796 and reinstates a Roman tradition 161 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:06,256 that hasn't been seen in over a generation. 162 00:16:11,637 --> 00:16:13,138 Gladiator games. 163 00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:16,266 [crowd cheering] 164 00:16:18,060 --> 00:16:22,523 The games that Caligula put on were the first major gladiatorial events 165 00:16:22,606 --> 00:16:24,817 that the Romans hadn't seen in almost a generation. 166 00:16:26,026 --> 00:16:30,280 [Aaron Irvin] Tiberius had refused to put on any gladiatorial games. 167 00:16:30,364 --> 00:16:33,325 And so they hadn't had anything like this, 168 00:16:33,450 --> 00:16:36,704 outside of their own history books, for a generation. 169 00:16:38,747 --> 00:16:40,833 The size, the scale, 170 00:16:41,458 --> 00:16:42,501 the spending. 171 00:16:43,836 --> 00:16:46,088 The Roman people absolutely loved it. [narrator] As the emperor's popularity grows, 172 00:17:01,103 --> 00:17:03,480 Caligula sets in motion another plan. 173 00:17:04,356 --> 00:17:07,651 To revitalize the city of Rome itself. 174 00:17:13,782 --> 00:17:16,744 Caligula did have some serious policies, 175 00:17:16,827 --> 00:17:20,539 and one of them was to repair Rome's infrastructure. 176 00:17:21,081 --> 00:17:22,499 Rome was a huge city. 177 00:17:22,583 --> 00:17:24,960 About a million people lived there at the time. 178 00:17:25,044 --> 00:17:27,212 So he spent lots of money on roads. 179 00:17:27,296 --> 00:17:31,091 And he built two new aqueducts to lead water into Rome. 180 00:17:36,305 --> 00:17:38,015 There's a man here to see you. 181 00:17:38,682 --> 00:17:39,892 He says he's your uncle. 182 00:17:48,609 --> 00:17:49,568 [Caligula] Uncle. 183 00:17:50,069 --> 00:17:51,862 [chuckles] You look healthy. 184 00:17:52,529 --> 00:17:53,739 I have been fortunate. 185 00:17:55,032 --> 00:17:58,077 And you have been through so much, and yet you have endured. 186 00:17:59,620 --> 00:18:02,081 If your father were alive, he would be very proud. 187 00:18:04,541 --> 00:18:09,838 If there's anything I can do, any way that I can serve you, please tell me. 188 00:18:16,053 --> 00:18:17,012 My sisters. 189 00:18:19,556 --> 00:18:21,600 I'd like for us to be together again. 190 00:18:25,729 --> 00:18:28,148 [narrator] To keep the royal Empire in the family, 191 00:18:28,899 --> 00:18:31,902 Caligula appoints Claudius as his Roman consul. 192 00:18:33,570 --> 00:18:37,783 Claudius was Caligula's father, Germanicus' younger brother. 193 00:18:37,866 --> 00:18:42,412 He had never really gained any prestige during his young life, 194 00:18:42,746 --> 00:18:48,168 so when Caligula appointed Claudius as co-consul at the age of 56, 195 00:18:48,252 --> 00:18:52,339 Claudius had his first real administrative position in the Empire. 196 00:18:57,928 --> 00:19:01,140 [narrator] Now, if Claudius can track down the emperor's sisters, 197 00:19:01,765 --> 00:19:03,517 Caligula could use his power 198 00:19:04,226 --> 00:19:07,563 to rebuild the family Tiberius tore apart. 199 00:19:19,533 --> 00:19:20,576 [Caligula] A toast! 200 00:19:21,451 --> 00:19:22,578 To my sisters, 201 00:19:23,245 --> 00:19:24,955 the three most beautiful women 202 00:19:25,414 --> 00:19:26,832 that have ever graced Rome. 203 00:19:27,624 --> 00:19:28,876 [all] Hear, hear! 204 00:19:29,835 --> 00:19:32,462 [narrator] When Caligula's mother and brothers were arrested, 205 00:19:33,589 --> 00:19:34,882 his sisters, 206 00:19:34,965 --> 00:19:36,175 Drusilla, 207 00:19:37,384 --> 00:19:38,302 Livilla, 208 00:19:39,303 --> 00:19:41,805 and Agrippina were spared. 209 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:45,642 But while they were close growing up, 210 00:19:46,476 --> 00:19:49,438 Caligula hasn't seen them in nearly a decade. 211 00:19:51,356 --> 00:19:53,650 Agrippina, Drusilla, and Livilla, 212 00:19:53,734 --> 00:19:57,321 they almost come across as a pop girl band of the Roman world, 213 00:19:57,404 --> 00:19:59,740 with one of them the pretty one, 214 00:19:59,823 --> 00:20:01,783 one of them the quiet one, 215 00:20:02,075 --> 00:20:04,077 one of them the outward-going one. 216 00:20:04,244 --> 00:20:07,039 But they were each powerful in their own way. 217 00:20:07,122 --> 00:20:08,582 They were all ambitious. 218 00:20:09,791 --> 00:20:11,793 [Caligula] Drusilla, married. 219 00:20:12,753 --> 00:20:14,588 You're a lucky man, Lepidus. 220 00:20:16,882 --> 00:20:19,468 Drusilla was Caligula's favorite sister. 221 00:20:19,551 --> 00:20:21,470 She was said to be the most beautiful. 222 00:20:22,304 --> 00:20:25,891 At one point he actually wants her as his heir, 223 00:20:26,225 --> 00:20:29,269 which does show us how much he trusted her. 224 00:20:30,437 --> 00:20:33,732 We know very little about Caligula's sister, Livilla. 225 00:20:34,024 --> 00:20:36,068 She might have been more on the shy side. 226 00:20:37,027 --> 00:20:39,696 Livilla we don't hear much about. 227 00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:44,785 She is ultimately overshadowed by her older sister, Agrippina. 228 00:20:47,079 --> 00:20:49,456 Always trying to keep the peace, weren't you? 229 00:20:49,539 --> 00:20:51,124 You always kept us in line. 230 00:20:51,500 --> 00:20:53,502 Squeaking orders like a tiny general. 231 00:20:55,545 --> 00:20:56,797 A natural leader. 232 00:20:57,422 --> 00:20:59,174 [Kathryn Tempest] Of Caligula's three sisters, 233 00:20:59,258 --> 00:21:01,426 Agrippina was by far the most ambitious. 234 00:21:01,718 --> 00:21:04,596 From her early life, she aimed at the throne 235 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,975 and she was avid about getting herself there. 236 00:21:10,978 --> 00:21:13,063 When Caligula reached the throne, 237 00:21:13,146 --> 00:21:17,150 he decided that he was going to make his three sisters his closest advisers. 238 00:21:17,234 --> 00:21:20,195 This is something that never ever had been seen before. 239 00:21:20,279 --> 00:21:22,239 To promote them publicly, 240 00:21:22,322 --> 00:21:25,242 they're going to be a very large part of his public image. 241 00:21:29,288 --> 00:21:31,206 [suspenseful music playing] 242 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:34,376 [narrator] While Tiberius avoided the spotlight, 243 00:21:35,335 --> 00:21:37,004 Caligula demands it. 244 00:21:38,422 --> 00:21:40,424 Eager to impress the Romans, 245 00:21:42,050 --> 00:21:44,594 he begins throwing extravagant festivals 246 00:21:45,345 --> 00:21:47,222 and decadent parties, 247 00:21:47,723 --> 00:21:50,767 earning a reputation as the emperor of the people. 248 00:21:50,892 --> 00:21:53,312 -[man laughs] -Enjoy your evening. 249 00:21:58,775 --> 00:22:01,320 One thing to remember is that Rome itself 250 00:22:01,403 --> 00:22:04,990 had not seen an actual living, breathing emperor for 11 years, 251 00:22:05,073 --> 00:22:07,075 because Tiberius was on Capri. 252 00:22:07,242 --> 00:22:09,578 So just by physically being in the city, 253 00:22:09,661 --> 00:22:12,664 Caligula had enormous popularity. 254 00:22:12,748 --> 00:22:16,168 And, in fact, for seven months, it was a golden age. 255 00:22:20,714 --> 00:22:24,176 Caligula enters Rome to huge acclaim, 256 00:22:24,259 --> 00:22:27,471 and he makes it clear that there are gonna be parties, 257 00:22:27,554 --> 00:22:28,889 there are gonna be games. 258 00:22:28,972 --> 00:22:32,017 The Romans are gonna enjoy having this guy as emperor. 259 00:22:34,603 --> 00:22:36,313 [Murdoch] When Caligula came to the throne, 260 00:22:36,396 --> 00:22:37,939 he was a breath of fresh air. 261 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:39,691 He's 24, 262 00:22:39,775 --> 00:22:41,401 he was massively popular. 263 00:22:41,943 --> 00:22:44,363 This is what the Roman people wanted. 264 00:22:44,946 --> 00:22:47,157 He'd like the support of the people, 265 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:50,369 but what he's also known for is his sexual appetite. 266 00:23:05,050 --> 00:23:05,884 Wine? 267 00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:11,139 If you believe all the stories you read about Caligula, 268 00:23:11,223 --> 00:23:12,974 he was having sex with anyone he wanted, 269 00:23:13,058 --> 00:23:15,352 wherever he wanted, and whenever he wanted it. 270 00:23:23,068 --> 00:23:26,446 Caligula is infamous for his sexual proclivities. 271 00:23:26,530 --> 00:23:28,156 He slept with other men's wives 272 00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:31,493 and allegedly turned the palace into a brothel. 273 00:23:45,924 --> 00:23:50,429 We get the stories that Caligula would invite senators and their wives 274 00:23:50,512 --> 00:23:53,140 to dinner parties, and then take the wives 275 00:23:53,223 --> 00:23:55,642 to his room and have his wicked way with them. 276 00:23:56,893 --> 00:24:00,021 As much as any 24-year-old you give total power to, 277 00:24:00,147 --> 00:24:02,149 he will have done all kinds of things. 278 00:24:07,863 --> 00:24:11,116 [bells tolling] 279 00:24:22,752 --> 00:24:23,587 [gasps] 280 00:24:41,354 --> 00:24:44,024 [narrator] In October, 37 A.D., 281 00:24:45,108 --> 00:24:47,527 after seven months of peace and prosperity, 282 00:24:50,238 --> 00:24:53,992 Caligula's reign takes a devastating turn. 283 00:25:24,898 --> 00:25:25,982 Without warning, 284 00:25:27,692 --> 00:25:29,694 Caligula slips into a coma. 285 00:25:32,781 --> 00:25:34,491 Caligula suffered 286 00:25:34,574 --> 00:25:37,869 from what the ancient sources called a "brain fever." 287 00:25:38,203 --> 00:25:41,122 It's hard to look through the historical looking glass 288 00:25:41,206 --> 00:25:42,916 to find out exactly what happened. 289 00:25:42,999 --> 00:25:44,876 Was this entirely psychological 290 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:46,086 or was it medical? 291 00:26:02,102 --> 00:26:03,562 Will he recover? 292 00:26:05,522 --> 00:26:07,691 It's... unlikely. 293 00:26:14,864 --> 00:26:16,908 [intense music playing] 294 00:26:19,828 --> 00:26:22,163 Macro must have thought, 295 00:26:22,247 --> 00:26:27,544 "Well, look, I want Caligula to survive. I've put in so much energy and effort 296 00:26:27,627 --> 00:26:29,087 into doing all of that, 297 00:26:30,297 --> 00:26:32,382 but I think I better put a feeler out 298 00:26:32,465 --> 00:26:34,843 to one or two people that might be around him, 299 00:26:35,969 --> 00:26:37,429 just in case." 300 00:26:47,772 --> 00:26:49,441 You're next in line for the throne. 301 00:26:49,774 --> 00:26:51,776 He told you that. I was there. 302 00:26:52,527 --> 00:26:54,738 The problem is, no one else knows it. 303 00:26:55,405 --> 00:26:57,532 And no one will believe it unless we act now. 304 00:26:57,616 --> 00:26:59,534 The doctor said there's only a chance he will die. 305 00:26:59,618 --> 00:27:02,120 Yes. But there is a chance. 306 00:27:02,871 --> 00:27:04,331 We have to be ready. 307 00:27:04,956 --> 00:27:06,708 Rome has to be ready. 308 00:27:14,215 --> 00:27:16,176 [narrator] As Caligula's adopted son, 309 00:27:17,052 --> 00:27:19,596 Gemellus is the rightful heir to the throne, 310 00:27:20,930 --> 00:27:24,142 but talk of replacing the emperor while he's still alive 311 00:27:24,934 --> 00:27:26,603 is considered treason, 312 00:27:27,354 --> 00:27:29,648 a crime punishable by death. 313 00:27:31,232 --> 00:27:32,651 [music intensifies] 314 00:27:42,661 --> 00:27:45,038 [Gemellus] It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you... 315 00:27:48,041 --> 00:27:49,876 the emperor has fallen ill. 316 00:27:49,959 --> 00:27:52,671 [senators murmuring] 317 00:27:54,255 --> 00:27:56,591 I wish I had more information to give you. 318 00:28:02,055 --> 00:28:03,556 But if anything should happen, 319 00:28:04,808 --> 00:28:07,394 I want you to know I am ready to accept the responsibility 320 00:28:07,477 --> 00:28:08,728 that's been given to me. 321 00:28:09,479 --> 00:28:11,481 [senators chatter indistinctly] [breathing rapidly] 322 00:28:40,927 --> 00:28:41,845 [gasps] 323 00:28:49,436 --> 00:28:50,729 [panting] 324 00:29:00,822 --> 00:29:01,740 [gasps] 325 00:29:04,242 --> 00:29:05,660 [heavy breathing] 326 00:29:08,455 --> 00:29:09,748 Find the doctor. 327 00:29:12,876 --> 00:29:15,462 You're all right. You're all right. I'm here. 328 00:29:17,464 --> 00:29:18,381 Breathe. 329 00:29:19,340 --> 00:29:21,176 [narrator] Three months after falling ill, 330 00:29:21,968 --> 00:29:23,386 Caligula wakes up. 331 00:29:24,095 --> 00:29:25,388 [Claudius] You're all right. 332 00:29:34,147 --> 00:29:36,816 To the imperial palace and the Roman people, 333 00:29:37,525 --> 00:29:38,485 it's a relief. 334 00:29:44,365 --> 00:29:45,575 [intense music playing] 335 00:29:48,328 --> 00:29:49,496 But for Macro, 336 00:29:49,954 --> 00:29:52,081 it could be a death sentence. 337 00:30:09,224 --> 00:30:11,184 -How are you feeling? -Better. 338 00:30:11,768 --> 00:30:12,727 You look it. 339 00:30:14,771 --> 00:30:16,481 There's something I should tell you. 340 00:30:17,023 --> 00:30:18,775 I thought it best you hear it from me. 341 00:30:20,485 --> 00:30:21,319 What is it? 342 00:30:23,863 --> 00:30:25,281 While you were ill, 343 00:30:26,241 --> 00:30:28,326 the doctors weren't sure you'd recover. 344 00:30:28,910 --> 00:30:31,329 There was concern that others might try to seize power. 345 00:30:32,288 --> 00:30:34,123 Gemellus and I thought it was important, 346 00:30:34,207 --> 00:30:35,792 for the sake of your family, 347 00:30:35,875 --> 00:30:39,587 to reassure the Senate that the doctors were hopeful the fever would pass. 348 00:30:40,755 --> 00:30:43,007 And that, if anything should happen, 349 00:30:43,591 --> 00:30:47,887 Gemellus was prepared to fulfill his duties as next in line. 350 00:30:53,226 --> 00:30:55,311 It was only meant to avoid confusion and prevent anyone taking advantage. 351 00:30:59,607 --> 00:31:00,441 I understand. 352 00:31:01,150 --> 00:31:02,694 [suspenseful music playing] 353 00:31:04,654 --> 00:31:06,531 Caligula depended on Macro, 354 00:31:06,614 --> 00:31:12,453 and he couldn't endure the thought that Macro might have been unfaithful, 355 00:31:12,537 --> 00:31:16,040 even if Macro was simply doing what anybody would do 356 00:31:16,124 --> 00:31:18,126 in that particular situation. 357 00:31:28,052 --> 00:31:29,345 [narrator] For the first time, 358 00:31:29,721 --> 00:31:33,016 Caligula feels he's been betrayed by one of his own men, 359 00:31:34,517 --> 00:31:36,895 and just like his mentor, Tiberius, 360 00:31:37,854 --> 00:31:39,564 he begins to grow paranoid. 361 00:31:42,775 --> 00:31:47,155 Caligula, who had spent his entire life in a position of powerlessness, 362 00:31:47,238 --> 00:31:51,117 now was supposed to be the most powerful man in the Roman state. 363 00:31:51,492 --> 00:31:55,288 But he had seen firsthand, and had it revealed to him, 364 00:31:55,371 --> 00:31:58,249 that Macro could replace him. 365 00:32:17,727 --> 00:32:18,603 What is it? 366 00:32:20,855 --> 00:32:23,066 This is difficult news to deliver. 367 00:32:30,198 --> 00:32:32,450 Your illness came on so suddenly. 368 00:32:35,244 --> 00:32:39,791 I decided to have the palace searched for anything that might be suspicious. 369 00:32:42,710 --> 00:32:44,504 [sighs] And? 370 00:32:45,129 --> 00:32:46,297 One of my guards... 371 00:32:47,006 --> 00:32:48,132 found this. 372 00:32:50,385 --> 00:32:51,427 It's poison. 373 00:32:57,642 --> 00:32:58,476 Where? 374 00:32:59,727 --> 00:33:00,853 Gemellus' room. 375 00:33:04,023 --> 00:33:06,859 He must have been burying his resentment this whole time. 376 00:33:09,445 --> 00:33:11,030 After all you've done for him. 377 00:33:18,955 --> 00:33:19,914 I'm sorry. [clears his throat] 378 00:33:25,294 --> 00:33:26,295 Thank you. 379 00:33:37,515 --> 00:33:39,934 [narrator] Macro shifts the blame to Gemellus, 380 00:33:40,727 --> 00:33:43,771 leaving Caligula suspicious of his only heir. 381 00:33:46,983 --> 00:33:52,155 Gemellus was always going to be a potential next in line for the throne, 382 00:33:52,238 --> 00:33:54,240 and he could be manipulated. 383 00:33:54,365 --> 00:33:57,201 But there were some things even Caligula wouldn't do. And he wouldn't kill a son 384 00:34:00,288 --> 00:34:02,540 of the Imperial royal family himself, 385 00:34:02,623 --> 00:34:05,209 but Caligula needed to get rid of him. 386 00:34:21,476 --> 00:34:22,769 [Gemellus] Get off me! 387 00:34:23,311 --> 00:34:24,270 Let me go! 388 00:34:25,104 --> 00:34:26,314 [grunts] 389 00:34:26,731 --> 00:34:27,857 [gate closes] [gate lock clangs] 390 00:34:30,985 --> 00:34:31,944 What have I done? 391 00:34:33,529 --> 00:34:34,572 [yells] What have I done? 392 00:34:37,116 --> 00:34:38,242 [yells] What have I done? 393 00:34:54,217 --> 00:34:59,222 A lot of things in Caligula's reign seem to change once he falls ill. 394 00:35:00,723 --> 00:35:03,851 His illness tripped something in his brain. 395 00:35:04,060 --> 00:35:07,313 You could say his illness made him suspicious. 396 00:35:07,438 --> 00:35:10,274 You could say his illness made him go crazy. 397 00:35:10,733 --> 00:35:14,445 But you can't kill a descendant of the emperor, 398 00:35:14,529 --> 00:35:15,988 according to ancient Roman law. 399 00:35:17,824 --> 00:35:20,493 So Caligula can't overtly have Gemellus killed. 400 00:35:42,306 --> 00:35:44,267 [gate lock clicks] 401 00:35:57,738 --> 00:35:58,573 Why am I here? 402 00:36:00,575 --> 00:36:01,576 Untie him. 403 00:36:12,712 --> 00:36:13,796 Give him your sword. 404 00:36:18,092 --> 00:36:19,051 What are you doing? 405 00:36:21,721 --> 00:36:22,597 Take it. 406 00:36:23,556 --> 00:36:24,682 Tell him I'm innocent. 407 00:36:26,642 --> 00:36:28,769 You've always been jealous of me. 408 00:36:30,980 --> 00:36:32,815 Make him take your sword. 409 00:36:34,650 --> 00:36:36,736 Don't do this to me, please. 410 00:36:37,486 --> 00:36:38,404 [Gemellus] Please! 411 00:36:40,573 --> 00:36:41,532 Please! 412 00:36:42,450 --> 00:36:44,160 I trusted you like a brother. 413 00:36:48,497 --> 00:36:49,957 [groans] 414 00:36:54,170 --> 00:36:55,338 [whimpers] 415 00:36:57,465 --> 00:36:58,466 [coughs] 416 00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:06,849 Gemellus was forced to commit suicide by the Praetorian Guards. 417 00:37:06,933 --> 00:37:09,143 The moment that Gemellus showed 418 00:37:09,227 --> 00:37:13,147 that he might be any sort of threat to Caligula's power, 419 00:37:13,314 --> 00:37:15,107 there was no plot, 420 00:37:15,191 --> 00:37:16,692 there was no conspiracy. 421 00:37:16,776 --> 00:37:20,154 It was simply, "He is my enemy and he dies now." 422 00:37:27,036 --> 00:37:28,746 [Adrian Murdoch] When Caligula recovered, 423 00:37:28,829 --> 00:37:31,999 there is a different tone to his reign. 424 00:37:33,334 --> 00:37:36,712 There's a nasty edge that creeps in after his illness. 425 00:37:36,796 --> 00:37:39,048 He starts to become much more paranoid 426 00:37:39,131 --> 00:37:42,134 about what everybody had done, and what everybody was up to. 427 00:37:43,135 --> 00:37:48,057 And that level of suspicion, that level of paranoia that surrounded him, 428 00:37:48,140 --> 00:37:51,185 very much sets the stage for his later career. [theme music playing]