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...

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...

Livia, also known as Livia Drusilla was born on 30 January 58 BC, as the daughter of Marcus Livius Drusus Claudianus and his wife, Aufidia. The diminutive Drusilla often found in her name suggests she was a second daughter. Livia was probably married in 43 BC. Her father married her to Tiberius Claudius Nero, his cousin of patrician status, with whom he was fighting on the side of Julius Caesar 's assassins against Octavian . Livia's father committed suicide in the Battle of Philippi (42 BC), along Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus. Her husband, however, kept fighting against Octavian, now on behalf of Mark Antony. Livia gave birth to her first child, Tiberius Claudius Nero (future Emperor) on 16 November 42 BC. Two years later, in 40 BC, the family was forced to flee Italy in order to avoid the Triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. They joined Sextus Pompeius (a son of Pompey Magnus) in Sicily; later, they moved to Greece. ...