After his illness, Caligula began torturing and putting to death huge
numbers of citizens for even minor offenses. He also claimed to be a living
god. These actions may suggest mental instability, but another explanation
is that they were intended to secure his position. While Caligula was ill,
plans were made to replace him, [since he had not been expected to
survive, and he likely felt betrayed and threatened as a result. Similarly,
while claiming to be a god certainly sounds like a symptom of insanity,
many Roman emperors were considered to become gods upon dying, and
Caligula may have made the claim to discourage his enemies from
assassinating him.
Celicula cunnosedly tried to appoint his horse
