Zašto i kako ubiti tiranina / Why and how kill a tyrant
Description:... The book "Why and how to kill a tyrant?" deals with a timeless theme that is characteristic of all historical eras. It is about the attitude towards those who start abusing the power they have received or obtained. In order to graphically explain the mentioned topic and all the historical processes related to it, the case of Caligula was taken as an example. Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, known as Caligula, was a member of the ruling, first principate Julio- Claudian dynasty. He grew up in the extremely toxic atmosphere of Tiberius' regime, when most of his immediate family perished as a result of intrigues. After taking power, Caligula started with the adoption of a series of very receptive measures for all layers of the Roman society at that time. Because of this, he enjoyed significant popularity among both the elite and the people. However, such a situation lasted for a short time, almost not even half a year. As soon as he established his power, Caligula showed his true face, which was also shaped by a series of traumas that negatively affected his psyche. First, he carried out a purge in his environment, eliminating almost all those he considered a threat or who simply prevented him from expressing his true nature. Caligula then embarked on a whole series of abuses and irresponsible behavior, enormous waste of resources, collecting money in every possible way, confiscation of property, murders, staged trials, crimes on all sides, humiliations, sadism, apparent insanity and derangement, and finally his own hungering for the living god. All this led to the creation of a conspiracy led by the tribune of the praetorian guard Cassius Chaerea, Cornelius Sabinus and Annius Vinicianus. They gathered around them a certain number of conspirators who decided to liquidate Caligula on January 24 and then proclaim the restoration of the Republic.
The conspirators managed to separate Caligula from his Germanic bodyguards and kill him in an underground passage, then rushed to the Senate to proclaim the Republic. However, the praetorians who broke into the palace found a frightened Claudius, Caligula's uncle, behind a curtain. They pulled him out and declared him the new princeps, because they rejected Republic. While the Senate debated the restoration of the Republic and gave thanks to the conspirators, the praetorians dragged Claudius into their camp as the new princeps. As the main mediator between praetorians and the Senate, was appointed Jewish king Herod Agrippa, who was a close friend of both Caligula and Claudius and who also knew a large number of senators. He clearly sided with Claudius and succeeded in persuading Senate to recognize Claudius as the new princeps, in order to avoid civil war. Once the agreement was established, Claudius became the new princeps. An amnesty was declared, except for Cassius Chaerea and those who personally participated in the murder of the rest of Caligula's family, his wife Caesonia and their little daughter. This is how the conspiracy and assassination of Caligula ended. The following year there was a renewed attempt to restore the Republic led by Scribonian, governor of the province of Dalmatia. This attempt also failed, and Claudius completely consolidated his power.
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