IGII2 3267 Honours for Gaius "Caligula"

Honours for Gaius "Caligula"

IG II² 3267 Date: 37-41 AD

[(This statue of) Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus], [great-great-grandson of the God Julius, great-grandson of the God] [Augustus, grandson] of Tiberius Augustus, [son of Germanicus] Caesar, [benefactor] (5) [of the] city (was erected by...)^[1]

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References:

IG II² 3267 (Translated text) (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Statue base

Findspot: Acropolis (Lost)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This fragment derives from a statue base for Emperor Gaius "Caligula" (r. 37 - 41 AD). The emphasis on his relationship to previous emperors suggests that the monument was erected at his accession (for other commemoration in Greece at this time, see M. Kantiréa, Les dieux et les dieux augustes, 2007, 71-72). The line of descent was more complicated than the inscription makes out. Caligula was a biological son of the former imperial heir Germanicus, who died in 18 AD and was himself the nephew and adopted son of Tiberius (r. 14-37 AD). In turn, Tiberius was the step-son and adopted son of Augustus (r. 31 BC – 14 AD), who had been posthumously adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar. The authority responsible for the erection of the statue is lost. If the phrase "benefactor of the city" is rightly restored, then the People and/or the Council and Areopagos would be expected. The inscription is known only from a copy made by the epigrapher H. G. Lolling in the mid-19th century.

As emperor, Caligula is reported to have confiscated artworks from Athens and other Greek cities (M. Kaplan, Greeks and the Imperial Court, 1990, 269-70); IG II² 5173-5179 appear to record the return of some of these statues to Athens by Caligula's successor Claudius. The head from a statue of Caligula has been found in Athens (NAMA 3590A). It has been proposed that Agora XVIII 283 might be an altar for him. As part of his dynastic self-representation, Caligula emphasised his sisters, Drusilla, Julia Livilla, and Agrippina the Younger (later mother of Nero) to an unprecedented degree. Drusilla is honoured alone in Agora XVIII 257. She might also appear along with him in IG II² 3266. IG II² 3241 might honour Julia Livilla. Agora XVIII 255 honours either Caligula's sister Agrippina, or his mother Agippina the Elder.

Added: 24 Jul 2026
Updated: 24 Jul 2026
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ID: AIO_3792