Milonia Caesonia (PIR² M 590) (6-41) was a Roman Empress. She rose from modest origins to become the fourth and last wife of the Roman Emperor Caligula. She was a daughter of a Roman woman called Vistilia, who came from a family who held the praetorship and her father is unknown. Her younger half-brother was Roman Consul and General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Her niece Domitia Longina, would become a future Roman Empress and would marry the future Roman Emperor Domitian. For other uses, see 6 (disambiguation). ... Events January 24 - Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar (Caligula), known for his eccentricity and cruel despotism, is assassinated by his disgruntled Praetorian Guards. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (August 31, 12 – January 24, 41), more commonly known by his nickname Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 37 to 41 CE. During his brief reign, Caligula focused much of his attention on ambitious construction... Vistilia was a Roman woman who lived in the 1st century and came from a family that held the praetorship. ... Ordinary Magistrates Extraordinary Magistrates Titles and Honors Emperor Politics and Law Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, either before it was mustered or more typically in the field, or an elected... Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (around AD 7 - AD 67) was a Roman general. ... Domitia Longina was a Roman matrona that lived in the 1st century. ... Titus Flavius Domitianus (24 October 51 – 18 September 96), commonly known as Domitian, was a Roman Emperor of the gens Flavia. ...

Life with the Emperor Caligula

Little is written on Caesonia. Suetonius claims that when Caligula married her she was neither beautiful nor young.^[1] She was also already the mother of three daughters by another man.^[2] Suetonius also claims she was a woman of reckless extravagance and wantonness.^[3] Nonetheless, Suetonius reports that Caligula loved her passionately and faithfully.^[4] Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ( 69/75 - after 130), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer. ... Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (August 31, 12 – January 24, 41), more commonly known by his nickname Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 37 to 41 CE. During his brief reign, Caligula focused much of his attention on ambitious construction...

Cassius Dio claims that Caligula began an affair with Caesonia prior to their marriage in either late 39 or early 40.^[5] He claims that Caesonia was pregnant when they married and that she gave birth to a Julia Drusilla only one month after their nuptuals.^[6] Suetonius claims she gave birth on their wedding day.^[7] Cassius Dio claims the Roman public was not pleased with Caligula's marriage to Caesonia.^[8] Cassius Dio Cocceianus (ca. ... Events Roman Empire Tigellinus, minister and favorite of the later Roman emperor Nero, is banished for adultery with Caligulas sisters. ... Events Roman Empire Caligula embarks on a campaign to conquer Britain, and fails miserably. ... For the identically named daughter of Germanicus, see Drusilla (sister of Caligula). ...

Suetonius states that Caligula would parade Caesonia in front of his troops and even claims Caligula paraded her naked in front of select friends.^[9] He also claims that Caligula would jokingly threaten to torture or kill her, on occasion, as an odd form of affection.^[10] Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ( 69/75 - after 130), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer. ...

Juvenal says that Caligula went mad as a result of a love potion Caesonia administered to him.^[11] Woodcut of Juvenal from the Nuremberg Chronicle Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis, Anglicized as Juvenal, was a Roman satiric poet of the late 1st century and early 2nd century. ...

In 41, Caligula was struck down by assassins while attending a private theatrical performance. The assassins were intent on wiping out the whole imperial family. Caesonia and her Julia Drusilla were murdered just hours after Caligula's demise. According to Josephus, she died bravely.^[12] Struck with grief at her husband's death, she willingly offered her neck to the assassin and told him to kill her without hesitation.^[13] Events January 24 - Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar (Caligula), known for his eccentricity and cruel despotism, is assassinated by his disgruntled Praetorian Guards. ... Jack Ruby murdered the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, in a very public manner. ... For the identically named daughter of Germanicus, see Drusilla (sister of Caligula). ... A fanciful representation of Flavius Josephus, in an engraving in William Whistons translation of his works Josephus (37 – sometime after 100 AD),[1] who became known, in his capacity as a Roman citizen, as Titus Flavius Josephus,[2] was a 1st-century Jewish historian and apologist of priestly and...

External Link:

• Coinage of Caesonia

Notes