Cat's Historical Doodles

Gaius Julius Caesar (named in honour of his famous relative ) was born in Antium on 31 August 12. He was son of Germanicus and his wife, Agrippina Major; he had two older brothers (Nero and Drusus) and three younger sisters (Agrippina Minor, Julia Drusilla and Julia Livilla). When he was just 2 or 3 years old, Gaius accompanied his father, Germanicus, on his campaigns in the north of Germania. The soldiers were amused that the boy was dressed in a miniature soldier’s outfit, including boots and armour. He was given the nickname Caligula, meaning little soldier’s boot , after the small boots he wore ( caligae ). However, he did not like his nickname. After the death of his father, Caligula lived with his mother until her relationship with Emperor Tiberius deteriorated. Agrippina and Caligula’s brother, Nero, were banished in 29 for treason. Caligula was then sent to live with his great-grandmother, Livia . After her death, he went to live with his grandmother, Antonia Minor. I...

Maria Madalena Bárbara Xavier Leonor Teresa Antónia Josefa, better known as Bárbara, was born on 4 December 1711, in Lisbon. She was the eldest child of King João V of Portugal and his wife, Maria Anna of Austria. Although her parents were married in 1708, they remained childless for nearly 3 years. The King had made a promise to God that if an heir was born, a great convent would be built as a sign of gratitude. Bárbara was born and, as promised, the King had the Convent of Mafra built. When Bárbara was born, she was the presumptive heir to the Portuguese throne, so she received the title of Princess of Brazil. She was supplanted when her mother gave birth to a son, Pedro. Pedro would die two years later but, by then, Maria Anna had given birth to the future King, José. Bárbara received a fine education and loved music. A talented harpsichord player, she was taught by Domenico Scarlatti, a great musician and composer. In 1729, at the age of 18, Bárbara married...

Gaius Octavius Thurinus was born on 23 September 63 BC, in Rome. He was the son of Gaius Octavius and Atia Balba Caesonia. In 59 BC, when he was 4, his father died. Atia married again, but his new stepfather never showed much interest in him and Octavius was raised by his grandmother, Julia Minor (the sister of Julius Caesar ). When she died, Atia took a more active role in raising her son. In 46 BC, Octavius intended to join Julius Caesar in Hispania, but fell ill and was unable to travel. When recovered, he sailed to meet his great-uncle, but was shipwrecked. After coming ashore, Octavius crossed hostile territory to reach Caesar, which greatly impressed him. When back in Rome, he deposited a new will with the Vestal Virgins, naming Octavius as his heir. Octavius was studying in Illyricum when Julius Caesar was murdered in the Ides of March 44 BC. After returning to Italy, Octavius learned of the content of Caesar's will and decided to become his political heir. Upon hi...

Maria Sophia Elisabeth was born on 6 August 1666 at the Schloss Benrath, outside Düsseldorf. She was daughter of Philip William, Count Palatine of Neuburg, and Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1685, Maria Sophia's father became Elector Palatine, an inheritance that greatly benefitted he family's status. Maria Sophia's sister, Eleonore Magdalena married Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, due to the family's reputation as producing fertile women. After two marriages, Leopold I had no male heirs; Eleonore Magdalena quickly fulfilled her duty and gave birth to two sons. A similar succession crisis was occurring in Portugal. Isabel Luísa, Princess of Beira, heiress to the throne and sole daughter of King Pedro II, was childless and had been refused by most European sovereigns due to her sickly nature and strict Portuguese succession rights. As a result, the Portuguese ambassador was sent to Heidelberg to ask for the hand of Maria Sophia for his King. The marria...