Saint Caligula??!

[Geon]

The Conversion

For the next twelve days Caligula invited Clement to share his evening meal with him. During this time Clement taught Caligula a great deal about the faith. On the evening of the twelfth day Caligula asked Clement if he would baptize the Emperor. Clement was astonished and told Caligula.“What you ask is no mean thing my Emperor. If you do this you will turn many in Rome against you, for our Lord warned us that in this life we would have tribulation if we followed him.” Caligula answered, “Nevertheless I do want to become a Christian. I am Emperor, and Christ has saved me from my illness, I cannot believe but that he has done so for some greater purpose. I know that what I ask may lead to many thinking I am mad, but I do not care! I desire to follow Christ and to belong to him.”

When Clement saw that Caligula was determined to do this he consented to baptize him. He took the emperor to the palace baths and there baptized him privately praying that God would strengthen him. And Clement also prophesized saying, “Your reign on earth will not be long O Emperor.Many shall raise their hands against you for what you have become. But know that though your reign shall not be long your deeds shall speak long after you are asleep.” And Caligula said, “Amen, so be it.”

The next day Caligula appeared before the Senate and they welcomed him with a great ovation. And Caligula said to them, “I rejoice to stand before you once again. ”And the senators as one praised the god Jupiter saying that it was by his might that Caligula had been restored to them. But Caligula interrupted them saying, “It is not by the might of Jupiter or any of our Roman gods that I stand before you but by the might of the God of heaven, the one true God that I have been healed. Know worthy senators that it is because of the Christians that I now stand before you healthy and well. Their God has healed me and given me new life in more ways than you can know. And now, how can I continue to follow or worship Jupiter or any of the other gods seeing they are subordinate to the one God? For this one God is the true creator of the whole world and all the other gods owe allegiance to Him.”

When the Senate heard this word they marveled. But many in the Senate became angry because Caligula said there was a god greater than the Roman gods. But, for fear of the Emperor’s wrath they said nothing but went out to consider the matter further.

 

[SlyDessertFox]

I take back my earlier allegation that it was ASB after the clarification provided. It's certainly an interesting POD, and quite original. I can't imagine this can end well for the Christians, given they are now inextricably tied to Caligula merely by association (at least from the Roman standpoint), and if he turns out to be hated by the senate and Roman ruling class as much as IOTL, Jews in general (If there was a distinction at this point, I don't think the Romans would have cared to take note of it) will have it far worse ITTL.

 

[guinazacity]

This is so damn interesting. Subscribed.

I feel like i am watching a shed full of nitroglycerin drums, waiting for them to blow up though.

 

[Yuelang]

Saint and Martyr Emperor Caligula

Oh well, looking for alt-medieval period with many kings took the name of Caligula as their regnal names...

 

[Tyg]

Saint and Martyr Emperor Caligula

Oh well, looking for alt-medieval period with many kings took the name of Caligula as their regnal names...

...And so the persecution of the Christians was brought to silence by the endless marching sound of little boots.

 

[Xenophonte]

I must point

I must point out that a Roman Emperor can be converted to an Eastern religion, there not could without losing legitimacy, renounce to the official cult nor much less proclaim the superiority of his personal Deity on Tutelary Gods of Rome in the Roman Senate ...

First because would be a political suicide at this stage of the Roman Empire (not the Empire in the era of Emperor Heliogabalus or Diocletian) and second because the Christian doctrine required that other Gods, not that be less than the Christian God ..is that other gods did not exist and therefore Christians refused to worship them and make sacrifices.


Presumably, at this stage of his life Caligula, who may become larger in this TL, would believe only in the protection of the Christian God to Him and become his personal god but without making comparisons with other
gods or abandon the official cult.

Clemente, maybe it would be his new Privy Concealer and Christians would be differentiated from other Jews, protected and benefit from the Imperial favoritism besides the immense propaganda throughout the Empire and beyond its borders, it would be the fact the attribution of the healing of the Emperor to his intercession and its subsequent adoption as a personal deity by the Emperor.


Only by doing that, would be enough to explain that in later generations the Emperor Caligula had been beatified and panegyrics and hagiographies be elaborated on his life.

 

[Geon]

Caligula and the Christians

Something that has not yet been discussed is how Caligula's conversion would have been received by the Roman Christian community. Perhaps this will answer that question.
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In the days that followed Caligula summoned Clement to the palace several times to hear him discourse on the faith. Caligula and Clement would talk long into the night and later Caligula would have a guard escort Clement to his home. During this time many servants in the palace and many of the centurions of Caligula’s guard became obedient to the faith and were baptized.

The Christians in Rome marveled much at the news that the Emperor had become a believer. But there were some among them who feared this was some deception and for a time there was division among the brethren there.

Then, three weeks after the conversion of the Emperor the Christians gathered on the first day of the week for prayer. There came among them at that time several people robed in simple robes with hoods that hid their faces. At first the Christians were concerned but Clement and several other brothers said they should be allowed to join the group and the congregation assented. As the time drew near to receive the Eucharist the visitors cast aside their hoods. And wonder of wonders, it was the Emperor himself and many of his personal guard! When Caligula came forward to receive the bread and the cup from Clement’s hand many in the congregation sought to bow or kneel to him but he stopped them saying, “Here my brothers and sisters I am but a servant of Christ, as are you. And the congregation marveled as one at this.[1]

When the service was ended all sat down to a meal and Caligula brought forth several fine ripe pears which he had picked from the orchard near the palace. Before the feast ended Caligula brought out one hundred gold coins and distributed them to the poorest in the congregation. After this he carefully wrapped the robes around himself then he and his personal guard made their way back to the palace.

[1] This incident was considered to be a later addition to the text by many critical scholars until 1893 when an excavation beneath the Church of St. Clemens in Rome revealed a fresco dating from the 2nd century which shows Caligula reverently kneeling before St. Clement preparing to receive communion.

 

[Tyg]

One theory I've heard about Caligula's 'insanity' is that it was simply his effort to act as a Hellenistic/Persian/Eastern autocrat. Viewed in that light, appointing his horse to the Senate is simply a demonstration of the Senate's position relative to the Emperor personally--as an animal to be used when desired, and ignored in the stables when not. This being the early Principate, the republican trappings of the Empire were still too important to dismiss in this manner, and it's notable that there was an effort to restore the Republic after Caligula's assassination.

ITTL, Caligula might either express his 'insanity' differently, or have his energies too consumed by his new religion to attempt to enforce a personal autocracy. Going out and building churches to a new eastern cult, offering charity, and providing patronage to his religious associates isn't really going to offend Roman sensibilities at the time. Until and unless Caligula starts trying to tear down other temples or burden non-Christian festivals and public sacrifices, the people at large simply won't care. Until and unless he starts undermining the political ambitions and sources of wealth of the Roman aristocracy, they'll consider him eccentric and only grumble about his departure from tradition. It'll surely be used against him when and if he makes too many or the wrong enemies, but they'll need a reason to care first.

 

[SlyDessertFox]

I wonder, there were Christian sects that believed in multiple Gods if memory serves me right. Could this be the catalyst for a polytheistic Christianity to emerge?

 

[Tyg]

I wonder, there were Christian sects that believed in multiple Gods if memory serves me right. Could this be the catalyst for a polytheistic Christianity to emerge?

In some fashion, Christianity could remain monotheistic through the concept of divine henosis. To the extent that other gods actually exist, they'd simply be expressions of the greater whole, in a similar way that the Holy Trinity is three in one. What would distinguish Christianity from other cults, religions, or philosophies at the time is that it emphasizes that previous divine expressions or revelations are misunderstood or corrupted, and that Christ is a universal redeemer to restore divine unity from the corruption of sin.

Thus, other gods might 'exist' in the sense that they are encompassed by the unfathomable infinity of the oneness of God, but are not worthy of worship, just as a painting or image of grapes is not worth eating compared to the real thing. That would make Christianity ITTL or some part of it more or less monolatrist.

 

[Yuelang]

I wonder, there were Christian sects that believed in multiple Gods if memory serves me right. Could this be the catalyst for a polytheistic Christianity to emerge?

Speaking of which, this particular version of Christianity that Caligula follows could be the old regular Monotheistic "Pauline" Christianity. The Romans will definitely think that Caligula is really mad over renouncing all their traditional pagan Gods and such... And as it was said in "prophecy" Caligula won't reign long after this (which was a realistic assessment)

But still, when Christianity inevitably grows (because of course, that's implied ITTL), Caligula will be venerated as a saint because of this. Perhaps he will be the patron saint for Kings and Nobility?

 

[DominusNovus]

You know, at this point in Rome's history, I have a hard time believing that the Senators will really be all that more outraged at Caligula disrespecting the gods than they were at Caligula disrespecting them, their offices, and their wives. Plus, in this situation, he's not forcing Senators to follow through on their "Oh please, Jupiter, take me, not the Emperor" histrionics.

Not saying he'll be popular for his choice, but that its hard for him to be nearly as unpopular as he was historically. Especially when you consider that there really wasn't a way to get on his good side as a Senator, since his hobby was annoying the Senate. In this situation, while his impulses towards disrespecting them might still be there, if any Senators at all decide "Hey, going along with the Emperor in his new fad is probably a good way to ingratiate myself with him," then you'll see at least some support.

 

[Geon]

Caligula, Tiberius, and the Senate

How will Caligula's conversion affect his future rule is hinted at here.
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Soon after this Caligula summoned his adopted son, Tiberius Gemellus. Tiberius was still only a boy but during Caligula’s illness there were rumors that he was being prepared to take the throne should the Emperor die. Tiberius feared for his life at first when he appeared before Caligula, but Caligula welcomed him and embraced him as a father would embrace his son. The two talked for many hours both about the Faith and personal matters. Caligula then sent Tiberius away but said he would summon again tomorrow.

The next day Caligula summoned the boy again and after they had talked quietly for a while he took him by the hand and led him into the Senate. Here he reaffirmed before the Senate that Tiberius was his chosen heir and was to receive all of the honor due a future emperor. The Senate arose and gave a great ovation to both Caligula and Tiberius. Caligula further decreed that from that day on Tiberius would sit next to him when he held audience so that he would learn what was needful for an emperor.

The day after Caligula said this he summoned three of the senators to appear before him in the palace at noon. When the senators came in they found Caligula examining several scrolls and ledgers, and Tiberius was seated beside him. Caligula looked up and said, “I have learned that there are those in the senate who are using the money in the public treasury for their own purposes.” As one the senators trembled for all three had done so for some time. Caligula went on to accuse them and showed them evidence that had brought to him of their mismanagement. The senators then confessed that they had indeed been stealing from the public treasury.

Caligula then ordered that all of the senators’ properties should be seized except for their personal belongings. And he ordered them to be exiled from Rome permanently. Finally he ordered that an account of this matter should be written and read publically in the Senate so that others might learn from the fate of these three. The Senate was astonished not only that Caligula held these three to account but also that he was very lenient with them and did not order the punishment to be harsher.

 

[MerryPrankster]

Hmm...depending on how zealous "St. Caligula" gets, there are plenty of things for him to do:

*Renounce the office of Pontifex Maximus, since he's not going to get away with making Christianity the state religion but he doesn't want to participate in idolatry either. He (or a minion with better political skills) could spin this as a concession to the Senate, especially after this expulsion of Senators. This could affect the Principate in the long run, depending on how long Caligula's reign lasts.

*Pass laws to improve the lot of slaves, since even Caligula would probably be smart enough to know that mass emancipation would (Paul basically told Philemon to free Onesmius, although it's written in such a way that Christian slavers have been able to defend their actions). Augustus punished the slave-owner who offered to feed his slaves to moray eels, so there is precedent. That's something that would annoy Senators as well--not just the evil sadists but ones who might view this as a pretext for meddling with their households.

*The early Christians were known for collecting abandoned infants and raising them in the faith. Some kind of Imperial Institute for Foundlings? Caligula could justify using state funds on this by pointing out that foundlings will grow up to be taxpayers.

 

[Yuelang]

could we get more story from our blessed saint?

 

[Geon]

Caligula and the Senate

Yuelang, you have but to ask. Here is a short snippet, but take special care to read the foot notes here because they are as important or more so then the text!
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In the days and weeks that followed Caligula often would walk in the poorer sections of Rome and distribute coins and bread to those in need. But Caligula took care that when he went out he wore a robe that covered his face so that those who received his gifts would not know that it was the Emperor that had given them. For Caligula did not want to have his almsgiving seen among men.

He also spent time writing a tract which would later be read and distributed among the Senate entitled Proper Ethics for a Senator. In it he explained what should be expected of a noble Roman senator in his behavior.[1]

After the Ethics were read in the Senate it caused uproar! Many believed the Emperor was not in his right mind and declared so, but others declared these statements were nothing short of divine wisdom and there was division in the Senate.

[1] Although no complete copy of Ethics has survived several quotations from this document have been cited by ancient writers both secular and sacred. Suetonius quotes extensively from the Ethics in his later accounts of Caligula’s life. Likewise St. Eusebius in his early history of the Christian Church quoted several times from the Ethics.
Among the sayings that can be verified as genuine (and there are many which are suspected to have been added by later writers – again both sacred and secular) are: Let a Senator keep his reputation clean of scandal for a Senator who engages in scandal shames not only himself but his office and by extension all of Rome. A Senator who does not maintain his own household affairs well cannot hope to keep well the affairs of Rome.

 

[Tyg]

Excellent move by Caligula there. Pounding on 'ethics' is exactly what people expect from a Roman Emperor, and it follows the finest example of the first emperor, Augustus. It's also a politically useful thing to harp on, because while Senators as a whole may share a number of interests, they're quite happy to denounce each other as corrupt and/or immoral if it means they can climb another rung higher in position. Complaining about a call for greater virtue and ethical behavior is also difficult if you don't want to be accused or suspected of immorality yourself.

And let's be honest, this doesn't really change anything for Senators and Roman magistrates that keep their corrupt or licentious behavior discreet. They'll be the first to praise Caligula for this, since it just makes them look all the better.

 

[Yuelang]

Nice Snippets Geon, keep up this really interesting story!

And for you, my (amateurish) artistic rendition about St Caligula...

by the way, want to see how St Paul react to this as well as the Church at Jerusalem, must be one hell of jaw-drop

 

[Geon]

Beautiful!

Yuelang

GREAT PICTURE!! I LOVE IT!!

Geon

 

[kclcmdr]

Hopefully this Caligula will have a more sound economic policy to keep the Empire on an even keel and financially solvent...

and if Caligula can keep his money grubbing greedy senators from trying to fleece and rip off the provinces ...

maybe the Empire can avoid the revolts that occurred in Britannia and Judea

Oh, yeah... make sure that the Legions stay loyal to the Emperor....