A National Year of Mourning
The reign of Roman Emperor Caligula was marked by bizarre and tyrannical behavior, and one of the most peculiar instances was his extreme response to the death of his beloved sister, Drusilla. Overwhelmed by grief at her passing, Caligula imposed a year of mourning that sent shockwaves throughout the empire. During this mournful period, he issued a series of oppressive decrees that reflected his deep anguish and erratic temperament.
Citizens were forbidden from dining with their own families, laughter was banned, and even something as basic as taking a bath became a prohibited luxury. This harsh mourning period demonstrated the extent of Caligula’s emotional turmoil and his ability to wield absolute power in an unpredictable and oppressive manner, leaving his subjects in a state of fear and uncertainty during his tumultuous rule.