May 5th blog cont.
Caligula:
- germanicus' son
- tiberuis' adopted grandson
- next in line for emperor
- started off well: granting bonuses to those in military, declared treason trials thing of past
- first 7 months of rule were "completely blissful"
- begins to fight with senate
- claimed to be a god
- made many statues in many places, including jewish temple
- bragged about adultery
- indulged in spending and sex
- tried to make his horse a consul and priest
- assassinated by his own aids
- AD 41 (28)

Claudius:
- ostracized by family due to disabilities
- was last adult male in his family when caligula was killed
- conquered britain; built roads, canals, aquaducts, renovated circus maximus
- awful marraige to messalina

Religious troubles:
- christianity and judaism: monotheistic
- romans - polytheistic, emperor viewed as god sometimes
- AD 66: jewish zealots try to rebel, but romans put them down and burn their temple
- half million jews die in rebellion
- western wall: holiest of jewish shrines

Persecution of Christians:
- harsh toward those who would not worship emperor
- viewed as a cult
- used as entertainment in colosseum
- despite oppression, christianity grew quickly - by AD 200, around 10 percent of people in roman empire were christian