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Caligula (Artistic Facial Reconstruction of Met Portrait)
The reign of Caligula (r. 37-41 CE) was plagued by scandals, both personal and political. Though he had some minor achievements - such as annexing the Kingdom of Mauretania - his reign was marked by frivolousness and cruelty. Caligula’s rule ended when he was killed by the Praetorian Guard, a death which foreshadowed the end of many Roman emperors.
This reconstruction is based on a single bust from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is thought to be somewhat idealized. Traces of paint from surviving busts of Caligula are used as a reference for the color of his skin, hair, and eyes.
Bibliography
- Appearance of The Principate [Pt. II], accessed 18 Nov 2020.
- Appearance of The Principate [Pt. I], accessed 18 Nov 2020.
