Martyrdom!
This marks the end of the hagiography, but NOT the timeline. The next entries will be in a more normal narrative style. Please read, review, and enjoy!
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Now Caligula was very fond of the chariot races and often went to the Circus Maximus to watch them, even after his conversion. The Emperor would often invite the charioteers to his palace for a feast after the races and congratulate them on their skill. After he came to the faith, his love for the races continued. He would still invite charioteers to the palace and would often tell them of the faith. And because of this a number of these men were converted to the faith. Also, he would send gifts of money to the charioteers or to their families if one was injured or killed during the race. Thus his favor continued to increase with the people.
But Caligula would no longer go to the Circus Maximus to watch the gladiatorial games; for he did not think it fitting that a Christian should witness such cruelty. And even when invited by the Senators he refused. Now, one day in the summer of the year after his baptism Caligula was approached by several senators and told that the crowd had gathered at the Circus Maximus and were clamoring for the Emperor. When he inquired as to why he was told, “One of the Christians has been seized and is to be executed because it is said he worked sorcery in healing a young girl.” This was a lie by the senators for they were part of the plot to lure Caligula into a trap.
Caligula was much concerned and with his bodyguard he entered the tunnels which led to the Circus Maximus in order to speak to the crowd. As he drew near the entrance to the Circus several men with swords stepped out of the darkness. With a loud cry, “Death to the atheist,” they attacked the Emperor.
Caligula’s bodyguard defended the Emperor bravely, but there were many, and although ten of the conspirators were slain they still outnumbered the bodyguard and within a short time most of the guard were dead. The Emperor stood alone before his enemies. Caligula said simply, “Now do I lay aside this laurel crown for the crown of life.” Then did the evil conspirators fall upon him and stab him several times with their swords and Caligula died praying, “O Lord Jesus, my true King, receive me!”
But one of the guards had only feigned death. Though sorely wounded he had only swooned during the assault.He came to his senses after the assailants had departed and seeing the Emperor dead he wept bitterly. Then in spite of his wounds he rose and returned to the palace. There he took Tiberius, Caligula’s cousin and quickly took him to hide him. When Tiberius heard what had happened to Caligula he also wept bitterly and vowed those who had done this would meet a terrible fate.
Meanwhile the crowd in the Circus Maximus was told by several of the pagan priests, “The atheist is dead,” meaning the Emperor. When they heard this some in the crowd rejoiced but most of the crowd acted as one possessed. They cried aloud and immediately set upon the priests who had announced this terrible thing. Thus began the Great Riot of Rome.